iSNS

Internet Storage Name Service (iSNS) allows your existing TCP/IP network to function more effectively as a SAN by automating the discovery, management, and configuration of iSCSI devices. To facilitate these functions, the iSNS server and client function as follows:

• The iSNS client registers iSCSI portals and all iSCSI devices accessible through them with an iSNS server.
• The iSNS server provides the following services for the iSNS client:
• Device registration
• State change notification
• Remote domain discovery services

All iSCSI devices (both initiator and target) acting as iSNS clients, can register with an iSNS server. iSCSI initiators can then query the iSNS server for a list of targets. The iSNS server will respond with a list of targets that the querying client can access based on configured access control parameters.

A Cisco MDS 9000 Family switch can act as an iSNS client and register all available iSCSI targets with an external iSNS server. All switches in the Cisco MDS 9000 Family with IPS modules or MPS-14/2 modules installed support iSNS server functionality. This allows external iSNS clients, such as an iSCSI initiator, to register with the switch and discover all available iSCSI targets in the SAN.

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