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Nathaniel CooperOct 7, 2019 7:45:55 AM< 1 min read

What is iSCSI?

What is iSCSI and what is an iSCSI initiator?

 

iSCSI is a block level protocol similar to fibre channel, but it is designed to work over ethernet connections. An iSCSI initiator is the software that allows a workstation to connect to an iSCSI target, or storage.


iSCSI differs from Ethernet because as a block level protocol you have a direct connection between your OS and storage.

 

This means you can format storage over an iSCSI connection as a HFS or NTFS volume. This also means you can create a SAN with iSCSI. 

 

The reality is, this doesn't really happen anymore.

 

iSCSI is somewhat of a failed protocol.  Everyone using ethernet connections just uses standard ethernet protocols, because quite frankly ethernet got a lot faster than it used to be.
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Nathaniel Cooper

As Chief Operating Officer of ProMAX Systems, Nathaniel Cooper, runs ProMAX Systems day to day operations. Cooper has been working with Storage, Backup and Media Management for video and creative professionals since 2001. Cooper has lead the design and deployment of some of the largest media systems in the world including a range of customers from NFL, MLB & NBA teams, US Military operations, and many of the worlds largest PR agencies and consumer brands. Cooper has spent the last 9 years as part of the ProMAX team and specializes in translating complex technical issues and options into easily understandable concepts.

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