iSCSI: The Universal Storage Connection is an informative overview and in-depth guide to the emerging iSCSI standard, the technology that enables data storage, access, and management over networks, intranets, and the Internet. The iSCSI protocol reduces the total cost of ownership of shared storage solutions and enables an organization to tie together disparate systems and data, including both server class systems and laptop and desktop systems. Numerous leading technology companies, including IBM®, Cisco Systems®, and Intel®, are currently supporting iSCSI initiatives. Written for network and data storage professionals, this comprehensive book introduces iSCSI and explores its growing role within the data storage industry. It describes each element of the technology in detail—from session establishment through error handling—and examines the relationship between iSCSI and the SCSI protocol from which it evolved. Specific topics discussed include: iSCSI's use in small office, midrange, and high-end settings TCP/IP fundamentals, and how they apply to iSCSI The importance of data integrity New hardware that addresses bandwidth and latency issues iSCSI naming conventions The establishment of a communication path between the host system and storage controller Commands and data sequencing Control of the flow of commands Task management Error handling Companion technologies, including discovery and security processes Backup and disaster preparation iSCSI performance issues In addition, the book includes an explanation of the technologies that hardware vendors are implementing to permit direct memory placement of iSCSI messages without additional main processor involvement. A helpful icon appears throughout the book, mapping out appropriate reading tracks based on your technical level. Comprehensive, clearly written, and organized for easy access, this iSCSI handbook serves as both an excellent starting point for those involved in data storage solutions and a guide to understanding the technically detailed Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) iSCSI Standards document.

Along with servers and networking infrastructure, networked storage is one of the fundamental components of a modern data center. Because storage networking has evolved over the past two decades, the industry has settled on the basic storage networking technologies. These technologies are Fibre Channel (FC) storage area networks (SANs), Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI)-based Ethernet attachment, and Ethernet-based network-attached storage (NAS). Today, lossless, low-latency, high-speed FC SANs are viewed as the high-performance option for networked storage. iSCSI and NAS are viewed as lower cost, lower performance technologies. The advent of the 100 Gbps Ethernet and Data Center Bridging (DCB) standards for lossless Ethernet give Ethernet technology many of the desirable characteristics that make FC the preferred storage networking technology. These characteristics include comparable speed, low latency, and lossless behavior. Coupled with an ongoing industry drive toward better asset utilization and lower total cost of ownership, these advances open the door for organizations to consider consolidating and converging their networked storage infrastructures with their Ethernet data networks. Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) is one approach to this convergence, but 10-Gbps-enabled iSCSI also offers compelling options for many organizations with the hope that their performance can now rival that of FC. This IBM® Redbooks® publication is written for experienced systems, storage, and network administrators who want to integrate the IBM System Networking and Storage technology successfully into new and existing networks. This book provides an overview of today's options for storage networking convergence. It reviews the technology background for each of these options and then examines detailed scenarios for them by using IBM and IBM Business Partner convergence products.

This IBM® Redbooks® publication helps administrators and technical professionals understand Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) and how to implement it for use with IBM Storwize® storage systems. iSCSI can be used alone or with other technologies. This publication provides an overview of the iSCSI protocol and helps you understand how it is similar to and different from Fibre Channel (FC) technology. It helps you plan and design your network topology. It explains how to configure your IBM Storwize storage systems and hosts (including IBM AIX®, Linux, VMware, and Microsoft Windows hosts) to interact with it. It also provides an overview of using IBM Storwize storage systems with OpenStack. This book describes configuring iSCSI for IBM Storwize and SAN Volume Controller storage systems at Version 7.6 or later. In addition to configuration, this publication provides information about performance and troubleshooting.

Master Windows Server installation and configuration with hands-on practice and interactive study aids for the MCSA: Windows Server 2012 R2 exam 70-410 MCSA: Windows Server 2012 R2 Installation and Configuration Study Guide: Exam 70-410 provides complete preparation for exam 70-410: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 R2. With comprehensive coverage of all exam topics and plenty of hands-on practice, this self-paced guide is the ideal resource for those preparing for the MCSA on Windows Server 2012 R2. Real-world scenarios demonstrate how the lessons are applied in everyday settings. Readers also get access to the interactive practice tests, electronic flashcards, and video demonstration of the more difficult tasks, which help readers fully understand the scope of principles at work. Exam 70-410 is one of three exams MCSA candidates must take to obtain their MCSA: Windows Server 2012 R2. The test is aligned with the 2012 update to the Windows server operating system, and so is the book. This study guide contains everything users need to know for the exam, including the 2012 update's changes to Hyper-V and Active Directory. Avoid surprises on exam day, and master the material while learning to: Install and configure Windows Server 2012 R2 Configure Hyper-V and server roles and features Install and administer Active Directory Manage Group Policy Exam prep is about more than passing the test—it helps you gain hands-on experience performing more complex operations, giving you the confidence you need to successfully apply what you've learned in a work environment. If you're looking to triumph over the MCSA exam 70-410, MCSA: Windows Server 2012 R2 Installation and Configuration Study Guide: Exam 70-410 provides the information and practice you need.

Prepare for the MCSA Windows Server 2012 R2 Exams Microsoft's new version of the MCSA certification for Windows Server 2012 R2 requires passing three exams (or one Upgrade exam if you have your MCSA or MCITP in Windows Server 2008). This value-priced study guide includes more than 1,000 pages of quality exam-prep content, covering 100% of the objective domains of all three exams (as well as the Upgrade exam, 70-417). In addition, you get access to an interactive practice test environment with more than 500 questions, electronic flashcards, and videos showing how to perform the more difficult tasks. Both first-time MCSA candidates and those wishing to upgrade from Server 2008 certification will benefit from this complete test-prep guide. Completely updated to cover the Windows Server 2012 R2 Exams Provides a comprehensive study guide for all three MCSA Windows Server 2012 R2 exams: 70-410, 70-411, and 70-412, as well as the Upgrade exam: 70-417 Covers installing and configuring Windows Server 2012; deploying and configuring DNS service; administering Active Directory; creating and managing Group Policy Objects; and configuring server roles and features, Hyper-V, and core networking services Explains basic networking concepts, DHCP, deploying and maintaining servers, configuring a network policy server infrastructure and high availability in Windows Server 2012, and much more Features real-world scenarios, hands-on exercises, practice exam questions, electronic flashcards, and over an hour of video demonstrations Covers all exam objectives MCSA Windows Server 2012 R2 Complete Study Guide arms you with all the information you must master to achieve MCSA certification on Windows Server 2012 R2.

Build and manage a scalable storage infrastructure with Oracle Automatic Storage Management Streamline data management and provisioning using Oracle Automatic Storage Management (Oracle ASM) and the detailed information contained in this exclusive Oracle Press resource. Written by a team of database experts, Oracle Automatic Storage Management: Under-the-Hood & Practical Deployment Guide explains how to build and maintain a dynamic, highly available Oracle database storage environment. Inside, you'll learn how to configure storage for Oracle ASM, build disk groups, use data striping and mirroring, and optimize performance. You'll also learn how to ensure consistency across server and storage platforms, maximize data redundancy, and administer Oracle ASM from the command line. Manage Oracle ASM Instances and configure Oracle RDBMS instances to leverage Oracle ASM Define, discover, and manage disk storage under Oracle ASM Create external, normal-redundancy, and high-redundancy disk groups Add and remove Oracle ASM storage without affecting RDMS instance availability Learn how Oracle ASM provides even I/O distribution Work with Oracle ASM directories, files, templates, and aliases Improve storage performance and integrity using the ASMLIB API Simplify system administration with the Oracle ASM command line interface Understand key internal Oracle ASM structures and algorithms

IP SANS is a technical overview of the new IP-based storage area network solutions for the explosive growth in data storage requirements faced by today's modern businesses.

Market_Desc: The book provides basic application information key for systems administrators, database administrators and managers who need to know about the networking aspects of their systems. As well as systems architects, network managers, information management directors and decision makers.This book also supports applications for graduate students and other relevant courses in the field. Special Features: · Hot topic that will become increasingly important in the coming years· First book to focus on using rather than building storage networks, and how to solve problems· Looking beyond technology and showing the With CD benefits of storage networks· Covers fibre channel SAN, Network Attached Storage, iSCSI and InfiniBand technologies· Contains several case studies (e.g. the example of a travel portal, protecting a critical database)· Endorsed by the Storage Networking Industry Association· Written by very experienced professionals who tailored the book specifically to meet customer needs About The Book: The authors have hands-on experience of network storage hardware and software, they teach customers about concrete network storage products, they understand the concepts behind storage networks, and show customers how storage networks address their business needs. They know which questions their readers will ask and what they need to know to do their day-to-day job as efficiently as possible, both those with no SAN experience and those with SAN experience.

Evolve to a virtual network infrastructure using VMware vSphere 4 Design and deploy a high-performance cloud-based enterprise IT platform with guidance from a VMware expert. Featuring tips, techniques, and best practices, VMware vSphere 4 Implementation explains how to dramatically cut hardware costs, maximize computing power, and centralize system administration. Configure hardware and storage devices, build virtual machines and networks, install guest operating systems, and import physical machines. Security, disaster recovery, performance tuning, and system updates are also covered in this comprehensive resource. Perform a clean VMware vSphere 4 install or migrate existing systems Build Distributed Virtual Networks using DvSwitches and VMotion Manage SAN, NAS, iSCSI, and fiber channel storage devices Construct VM and provision new copies of Windows/Linux from vCenter Automate server maintenance with the Distributed Resource Scheduler Set up multiple security zones, users, permissions, roles, and privileges Maximize uptime using VMware High Availability and Fault Tolerance Work with VMware Consolidated Backup, vDR, and Update Manager Mike Laverick is a VMware Forum moderator and member of the London VMware User Group steering committee. He is the sole author of the virtualization website/blog, RTFM Education. Mike recently received the vExperts Award from VMware.