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Typical SAN (STorage Area Network)-Introduction To IP SAN Network Architecture

Time: 2023-07-12
        SAN (Storage Area Network) is a high-speed block-level storage network that connects servers, disk arrays and other storage devices.
        All servers in the network can perform read and write operations on shared storage devices, with the advantages of high throughput and low latency.
        Common SAN architectures include FC SAN (based on Fibre Channel) and IP SAN (based on TCP/IP/Ethernet). This article focuses on the IP SAN architecture.
        IP SAN is built on iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface) technology, which carries SCSI storage commands over standard TCP/IP Ethernet networks.
        n iSCSI-based IP SAN is fully compatible with existing Ethernet equipment, greatly reducing deployment costs.
        It is widely used in storage consolidation, remote disaster recovery and other scenarios, and is regarded as a cost-effective alternative to FC SAN.
        Unlike FC SAN, which requires dedicated fiber channel infrastructure, IP SAN can run on regular Ethernet networks.
        A typical IP SAN network topology based on iSCSI is shown below.
a typical IP SAN network topology
Figure 1 Typical IP SAN Network Topology
        Key Components of IP SAN
          • iSCSI storage devices
        Mainly include disk arrays and tape libraries that support iSCSI. They can be equipped with iSCSI HBA cards for better performance and lower CPU usage, or use pure iSCSI software initiators with lower cost but higher CPU consumption.
          • Ethernet switches
        Responsible for data transmission and switching, including metadata and actual service data, between MDC servers, iSCSI workstations/servers, and storage devices.
          • MDC server (Meta Data Controller)
        Acts as a centralized "scheduler". Before a workstation or server accesses data on storage devices, it queries the MDC for the data location, then directly reads from or writes to the corresponding storage address.
          • iSCSI workstations/servers
        Serve as front-end service hosts. They can support iSCSI either by installing iSCSI HBA cards or using software-based iSCSI initiators.
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