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Figure 2.2.1
The host side needs an iSCSI initiator. The initiator is a driver which handles the SCSI traffic over iSCSI.
The initiator can be software or hardware (HBA). Please refer to the certification list of iSCSI HBA(s) in
Appendix A. OS native initiators or other software initiators use standard TCP/IP stack and Ethernet
hardware, while iSCSI HBA(s) use their own iSCSI and TCP/IP stacks on board.
Hardware iSCSI HBA(s) provide its own initiator tool. Please refer to the vendors’ HBA user manual.
Microsoft, Linux and Mac provide iSCSI initiator driver. Below are the available links:
1.
Link to download the Microsoft iSCSI software initiator:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=12cb3c1a-15d6-4585-b385-
befd1319f825&DisplayLang=en
Please refer to Appendix D for Microsoft iSCSI initiator installation procedure.
2.
Linux iSCSI initiator is also available. For different kernels, there are different iSCSI drivers.
Please check Appendix A for iSCSI initiator certification list. If user needs the latest Linux
iSCSI initiator, please visit Open-iSCSI project for most update information. Linux-iSCSI
(sfnet) and Open-iSCSI projects merged in April 11, 2005.
Open-iSCSI website: http://www.open-iscsi.org/
Open-iSCSI README: http://www.open-iscsi.org/docs/README
Features: http://www.open-iscsi.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl/Roadmap
Support Kernels:
http://www.open-iscsi.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl/Supported_Kernels
Google groups:
http://groups.google.com/group/open-iscsi/threads?gvc=2
http://groups.google.com/group/open-iscsi/topics
Open-iSCSI Wiki: http://www.open-iscsi.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl
3.
ATTO iSCSI initiator is available for Mac.
Website: http://www.attotech.com/xtend.html
iSCSI device 1
(target)
Host 1
(initiator)
NIC
IP SAN
Host 2
(initiator)
iSCSI
HBA
iSCSI device 2
(target)