Administrator Guide
iSCSI Optimization
An Aggregator enables internet small computer system interface (iSCSI) optimization with default iSCSI parameter settings(Default iSCSI
Optimization Values) and is auto-provisioned to support:
iSCSI Optimization: Operation
To display information on iSCSI conguration and sessions, use show commands.
iSCSI optimization enables quality-of-service (QoS) treatment for iSCSI trac.
Supported Modes
Stacking, VLT, Standalone, PMUX, and Full–Switch
Topics:
• iSCSI Optimization Overview
• Monitoring iSCSI Trac Flows
• Information Monitored in iSCSI Trac Flows
• Synchronizing iSCSI Sessions Learned on VLT-Lags with VLT-Peer
• iSCSI Optimization: Operation
• Conguring iSCSI Optimization
• Displaying iSCSI Optimization Information
iSCSI Optimization Overview
iSCSI is a TCP/IP-based protocol for establishing and managing connections between IP-based storage devices and initiators in a storage
area network (SAN).
iSCSI optimization enables the network switch to auto-detect Dell’s iSCSI storage arrays and triggers self-conguration of several key
network congurations that enables optimization of the network for better storage trac throughput.
iSCSI optimization provides a means of monitoring iSCSI sessions and applying QoS policies on iSCSI trac. When enabled, iSCSI
optimization allows a switch to monitor (snoop) the establishment and termination of iSCSI connections. The switch uses the 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, Dell
EqualLogic and Compellent iSCSI storage arrays are connected to a converged Ethernet network using the data center bridging exchange
protocol (DCBx) through Ethernet switches.
iSCSI session monitoring over virtual link trunking (VLT) synchronizes the iSCSI session information between the VLT peers, allowing
session information to be available in both VLT peers.
iSCSI optimization functions as follows:
• Manual conguration to detect Compellent storage arrays where auto-detection is not supported.
• Jumbo frames — Ports are set to a maximum transmission unit (MTU) of 12,000 bytes.
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