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iSCSI
iSCSI, defined in RFC 3720, stands for Internet Small Computer Systems Interface. It is a network protocol that enables the transport of block-level storage data over TCP/IP networks, allowing clients (initiators) to transmit SCSI commands to storage devices (targets) located remotely. This capability facilitates Storage Area Network (SAN) implementations without dedicated fiber channel infrastructure..
iSCSI (Internet Small Computer Systems Interface) is a transport layer protocol standardized in RFC 3720, designed to carry SCSI commands over IP networks. It encapsulates SCSI command sequences within TCP packets, enabling servers and storage to communicate over existing IP infrastructures instead of specialized storage networks like Fibre Channel. This reduces the cost and complexity of storage networking, enabling broad adoption in enterprise data centers.
Key elements in an iSCSI architecture include the initiators (clients, often servers or virtual servers) and targets (storage devices like SAN disks or arrays). iSCSI supports multiple session and connection constructs, allowing for robust, multipath configurations that ensure redundancy and load balancing. Security and authentication mechanisms are built into the protocol stack, such as CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol).
Usage of port 860 is primarily for iSCSI control and discovery sessions, with data transmission often occurring on negotiated higher ephemeral ports or other dedicated ports depending on configuration. This standardization enables flexible deployment of SANs across geographically distributed networks.