Overview for iSCSI
iSCSI (Internet SCSI) is a protocol for sending and receiving a SCSI command via an IP network. iSCSI transfers data in block units. An IP-SAN that uses an existing Ethernet can be constructed by using iSCSI. In the network for iSCSI,LUN Manager manages access paths between hosts and volumes, for each port in your storage system. LUN Manager has the following features:
Connecting multiple hosts to an port
With LUN Manager, you can connect more than one host to a port on your storage system. On an storage system with two ports, port A could connect to a Windows host and Solaris host, and port B could connect to another Windows host, an AIX host, and an HP-UX host.
When setting up host connections in LUN Manager, for each host you specify the settings for host mode, volume, and iSCSI target. Each host can access a volume simulating a dedicated port to the host even if that host shares the port with other hosts.
Mapping volumes to hosts
With LUN Manager, you can map or assign volumes to the hosts on your network. You have complete flexibility to share or restrict volume access among the hosts.
Network security
With LUN Manager, you can enable or disable CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol), a security protocol that requires users to enter a secret for access.