iSCSI Optimization | 14911iSCSI OptimizationAn Aggregator auto-configures to enable internet small computer system interface (iSCSI) optimizationwith default iSCSI parameter settings (Default iSCSI Optimization Values) and is auto-provisioned tosupport:• Detection and Autoconfiguration for Dell EqualLogic Arrays• Detection and Port Configuration for Dell Compellent ArraysYou can use show commands to display information on iSCSI configuration and sessions (DisplayingiSCSI Optimization Information).iSCSI optimization enables quality-of-service (QoS) treatment for iSCSI traffic.iSCSI Optimization OverviewiSCSI is a TCP/IP-based protocol for establishing and managing connections between IP-based storagedevices and initiators in a storage area network (SAN).iSCSI optimization provides a means of monitoring iSCSI sessions and applying QoS policies on iSCSItraffic. When enabled, iSCSI optimization allows a switch to monitor (snoop) the establishment andtermination of iSCSI connections. The switch uses the snooped information to detect iSCSI sessions andconnections established through the switch.iSCSI optimization allows you to reduce deployment time and management complexity in data centers. Ina data center network, Dell EqualLogic and Compellent iSCSI storage arrays are connected to a convergedEthernet network using the data center bridging exchange protocol (DCBX) through stacked and/ornon-stacked Ethernet switches.Figure 11-1 shows iSCSI optimization between servers in an M1000e enclosure and a storage array inwhich a stack an Aggregator connects installed servers (iSCSI initiators) to a storage array (iSCSI targets)in a SAN network. iSCSI optimization running on the Aggregator is configured to use dot1p priority-queueassignments to ensure that iSCSI traffic in these sessions receives priority treatment when forwarded onAggregator hardware.
