Managing the iSCSI SAN

Understanding the iSCSI service on the filer

How the filer implements iSCSI

The filer does not use HBAs to implement the iSCSI service. An iSCSI software adapter driver implements the iSCSI service. Communication between an initiator and the filer occurs over an iSCSI session. The initiator and the filer conduct a session over one or more TCP/IP connections, and iSCSI messages are sent over the filer's standard Ethernet interfaces.

For a quick look at all of the iscsi commands, enter the iscsi help command at the filer prompt.

What portal groups are

A portal group is a set of network portals within an iSCSI node over which an iSCSI session is conducted. In a target, a network portal is identified by its IP address and listening TCP port. The iSCSI protocol allows only one session between a specific iSCSI initiator port and a single portal group on the target.

The iSCSI software adapter maps each Ethernet interface on the filer to a single portal group. In this way, an initiator port can conduct simultaneous iSCSI sessions on the filer, with one session for each portal group.