iSCSI OptimizationThis chapter describes how to configure internet small computer system interface (iSCSI) optimization, which enables quality-of-service(QoS) treatment for iSCSI traffic. The topics covered in this chapter include:• iSCSI Optimization Overview• Default iSCSI Optimization Values• iSCSI Optimization Prerequisites• Configuring iSCSI Optimization• Displaying iSCSI Optimization InformationTopics:• iSCSI Optimization Overview• Default iSCSI Optimization Values• iSCSI Optimization Prerequisites• Configuring iSCSI Optimization• Displaying iSCSI Optimization InformationiSCSI Optimization OverviewiSCSI is a TCP/IP-based protocol for establishing and managing connections between IP-based storage devices and initiators in a storagearea network (SAN).iSCSI optimization enables the network switch to auto-detect Dell’s iSCSI storage arrays and triggers a self-configuration of several keynetwork configurations that enables optimization of the network for better storage traffic throughput. .iSCSI optimization also provides a means of monitoring iSCSI sessions and applying quality of service (QoS) policies on iSCSI traffic. Whenenabled, iSCSI optimization allows a switch to monitor (snoop) the establishment and termination of iSCSI connections. The switch usesthe snooped information to detect iSCSI sessions and connections established through the switch.iSCSI optimization allows you to reduce deployment time and management complexity in data centers. In a data center network, DellEqualLogic and Compellent iSCSI storage arrays are connected to a converged Ethernet network using the data center bridging exchangeprotocol (DCBx) through stacked and/or non-stacked Ethernet switches.iSCSI session monitoring over virtual link trunking (VLT) synchronizes the iSCSI session information between the VLT peers, allowingsession information to be available in both the VLT peers. You can enable or disable iSCSI when you configure VLT.iSCSI optimization functions as follows:• Auto-detection of EqualLogic storage arrays — the switch detects any active EqualLogic array directly attached to its ports.• Manual configuration to detect Compellent storage arrays where auto-detection is not supported.• Automatic configuration of switch ports after detection of storage arrays.• If you configure flow-control, iSCSI uses the current configuration. If you do not configure flow-control, iSCSI auto-configures flowcontrol settings so that receive-only is enabled and transmit-only is disabled. .• iSCSI monitoring sessions — the switch monitors and tracks active iSCSI sessions in connections on the switch, including portinformation and iSCSI session information.22iSCSI Optimization 431
