[Tom Elgin]

Thanks for that info Steve. That’s the first time I’ve ran across the term isns. Yet another acronym to memorize lol

[Tom Elgin]

That seems to line up with what I’m reading. Thanks for the clarification.

[Tom Elgin]

A little lol

Would it be correct to say that iSCSI and FC are the protocols that make SANs possible?
This seems to fall in with the definitions of a SAN from snia.org’s web site:

“A network whose primary purpose is the transfer of data between computer systems and storage elements and among storage elements.

A SAN consists of a communication infrastructure, which provides physical connections, and a management layer, which organizes the connections, storage elements, and computer systems so that data transfer is secure and robust. The term SAN is usually (but not necessarily) identified with block I/O services rather than file access services.”

I just know I have a LOT to learn lol But I’ll get there.

[Tom Elgin]

Not a problem Bob. If you have some questions, shoot me an email. You
might also want to check out the Cisco Learning Network. It’s free to join and has a very active forum.

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/community/learning_center?view=discussions

You can reach me at:

sanmanstorage -at- gmail -dot- com

[Tom Elgin]

Hey Bob, I’m not trying to set up an iSCSI network. Just trying to understand the basics of SANs.

I’d be glad to help you out with the Cisco stuff though. Fire away.

[Tom Elgin]

Alex, thanks for the reply. You are correct. WWNs are only used in FC networks.

I was just reading about iSCSCI and learned you can carry SCSI commands over an IP network, so that answers my other question in part.

I also came across a device called a data router. It appears as if it is some type of “protocol converter”, because it allows you to connect a SCSI device to an FC device in a SAN. So, if I understand it correctly, you can initiate via an IP network, but the storage array can be in a FC SAN. Does that sound right?

[Tom Elgin]

Alex, I guess I wasn’t clear. I meant that prior to that Wiki explanation, I hadn’t seen anything that clearly indicated it was both a physical spec, as well as a standard for transferring data.

[Tom Elgin]

Tim, I’m just trying to educate myself. I’ve been in networking for 10 years (think TCP/IP, Cisco routers/switches) and giving serious thought to getting into the storage arena.

Maybe this isn’t the right forum. I’m trying to locate a forum where people can post questions like this. If this isn’t the right place, let me know (and if you know of a forum like what I described, please let me know).

Thanks,

Tom

[Tom Elgin]

Thanks for clearing that up Alex. I never came across anything that definitively said it was both a physical spec, as well as a spec for how data was transferred.

Thanks,

Tom