HP-UX iSCSI Software Initiator Support Guide (Edition 7)

One of the keys that is negotiated in this stage of the Login Phase is AuthMethod. For example:
◦ key=value AuthMethod=CHAP
◦ AuthMethod defines the authentication method.
• Operational Parameters Negotiation Stage
This stage consists of text string negotiation of operating parameters using key=value pairs of
login parameter exchanges.
Two of the many login keys that are negotiated in the Operational Parameters Negotiation
stage of the Login Phase are MaxRecvDataSegmentLength and FirstBurstLength. For example:
◦ key=value MaxRecvDataSegmentLength=<numerical-value>
◦ MaxRecvDataSegmentLength defines the maximum data segment length an initiator or
target can receive in an iSCSI PDU (in bytes).
◦ key=value FirstBurstLength=<numerical-value>
◦ FirstBurstLength defines the maximum amount of unsolicited data the initiator can send to
the target during the execution of a single SCSI command (in bytes).
NOTE: For a complete list of iSCSI login keys, consult RFC 3720 at:
http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3720.txt
iSCSI Full Feature Phase
After successfully completing the Login Phase on the first (leading) connection of the session, a
session is in Full Feature Phase.
In the Full Feature Phase, the initiator sends SCSI commands and data to the target by encapsulating
them in iSCSI PDUs that go over the iSCSI session (transport). The initiator receives SCSI responses
embedded in iSCSI PDUs, from the target. SCSI I/O only occurs after the Full Feature Phase begins.
1.6 iSCSI Concepts: Network Entities, Portals, and Nodes
• Network Entity - a device or gateway that is accessible from the IP network. A network entity
must have one or more network portals. Each network portal can be used by one or more
iSCSI nodes within that network entity to gain access to the IP network.
• Network Portal - a component of a network entity that has a TCP/IP network address and may
be used by an iSCSI node within that network entity for the connection(s) within one of its
iSCSI sessions.
A network portal in an initiator is identified by its IP address.
A network portal in a target is identified by its IP address and its listening TCP port.
• iSCSI Node - a single iSCSI initiator or iSCSI target. There can be one or more iSCSI nodes
within a network entity.
Figure 7 provides an example of two iSCSI nodes (targets in this case) sharing network portals
within the same network entity.
1.6 iSCSI Concepts: Network Entities, Portals, and Nodes 9