I was asking on other places, but I`m gathering
the different opinions.
I`m working in the middle size business. We`re
looking for shared storage I`m considering what iSCSI solution is better if
compare of price and functionality - software or hardware? And what vendor is
more reliable?
Hi IkerSilva,
You must know that iSCSI HBA have a small CPU. So if you want to jump over that limitation choose software solution.
It's applicable for initiators and targets. Yes, free lunch is not possible - you will get resources form central CPU in that case.
For cheaper and high customizable solution I use Supermicro case with 24 HotSwapable disks SATA or SAS (SC846E1-R900 with bacplane) , cheaper server board, entry level CPU for this MB, and LSI SAS 8888ELP (can support up to 240 devices through bacplanes expansion).
You can choose between 1Gbps or 10Gbps NIC. For software you can choose from ready to use or build from scratch on your own (I use CentOS).
It also depends on it, how much money you are able and want spend???
As I told you about datacore, it is a software for storage virtualization.
So you have to buy hardware and software licenses!
MCP, VCP
If you want high performance, I would look at hardware, if you do not care, then I would look at software. It really depends on the load you are going to place on the storage device, how many links to the device exist, and how those links are handled by the device.
Whatever you do, test first with an approximate load for your virtual environment. A bad choice here could have monetary and other concerns in the future. Test, then retest.
Hello IkerSilva,
I recommend to start with something cheaper. Later you can use for disk backup storage.
But you will have time to think and test.
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VSP4, VTSP4, VCP4
ITIL v.3 Foundation
For a Robust backup solution, use software. I would look at the New LinkSys iSCSI device (supposed to work with ESX 4), OpenFiler, FreeNAS, SolarWinds, or even a Linux box with the iSCSI enterprise target.....
Any of those will work, it will NOT be fast but it will provide backup.
