RE: iSCSI: target discovery issue

["KRUEGER,MARJORIE (HP-Roseville,ex1)" <marjorie_krueger@hp.com>]

Josh wrote:
> I would like to append to Mark's note that method D is
> the iSNS.  The iSNS breaks from the device-by-device
> management paradigm that the previous methods use.  It
> provides for network-wide storage device discovery,
> zoning and management.
> 

A more generic statement of "method D" is that there exist applications for
managing and administering networked resources (Novell eDirectory and
Microsoft ActiveDirectory products are examples).  One of the most important
tasks a network administrator has is making sure that users have access to
files, resources and services they need on the network.  iSCSI adds block
storage to the list of network resources, but resource assignment and
management is a problem that has existed for quite some time and solutions
exist today.  Network resource management evolved from a device-by-device
management paradigm long before iSCSI was conceived.  I don't want to
detract from the value of iSNS, but it's not correct to suggest it's the
only solution to resource management.

Typically users register/login to distributed resource management pts
(domain servers) and these applications handle authentication,
authorization, and assignment of resources.  John makes important points in
his email - you don't want all users informed of new storage coming on line,
those systems that are intended to have access should be notified, or should
explicitly "mount" the new storage.  It's not appropriate to burden each
storage device with this task, it is definitely a value add feature
appropriate to a centralized resource management application. 

Marjorie Krueger
Networked Storage Architecture
Networked Storage Solutions Org.
Hewlett-Packard
tel: +1 916 785 2656
fax: +1 916 785 0391
email: marjorie_krueger@hp.com