iSCSI initiators
An iSCSI initiator is a software or hardware component residing on a client system (e.g., server, workstation) that allows it to send SCSI commands to an iSCSI target (a storage device or system) over a standard IP network. It enables the client to access remote block-level storage as if it were…
Key facts
- First appeared
- 2004
- Category
- technology
- Problem solved
- iSCSI initiators were created to solve the problem of high cost and complexity associated with traditional Fibre Channel (FC) SANs, which required specialized hardware (HBAs, switches) and dedicated infrastructure. They allowed organizations to leverage their existing, ubiquitous Ethernet networks to provide high-performance, block-level access to centralized storage, democratizing SAN technology.
- Platforms
- Apple macOS (third-party solutions), Solaris, VMware ESXi (native support), Linux (open-iscsi, other implementations), Microsoft Windows (native support), FreeBSD, Various embedded systems and storage appliances
Related technologies
Notable users
- Cloud service providers (for internal infrastructure)
- Educational institutions
- Government agencies
- Large enterprises running virtualized environments
- Small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) seeking affordable SANs