This page describes iSCSI technology now supported on POWER5 System i processors. This technology allows Microsoft Windows (and in some cases Linux) operating systems to run on IBM Intel hardware that is tightly coupled with System i.

iSCSI is Internet SCSI, an IP-based storage networking standard for linking data storage facilities. The iSCSI protocol is among the key technologies expected to help bring about rapid development of the SAN market and, using IP, can be used to transmit data over LANs, WANs, or the Internet. Interconnectivity is now achieved using low cost cabling rather than expensive fibre, which will considerably lower the cost of implementing these solutions.

System i resources such as disk, tape drives, and CD/DVD drives are used by Windows/Linux, yet are managed and administered by the System i operating system. This leads to greater flexibility and ease of use.

This is how it looks, schematically, with the iSCSI connection between System i and System x using iSCSI HBAs (Host Bus Adapters), standard ethernet cables and switches. For prices see table. The i520 can support 21 x iSCSI HBAs.

 

Initiator (System x)	Target (System i)
HARDWARE: Open bay server - 3500(x236), 3550(x336), 3650(x346), 3850(x366) or 3950 (x460).(Note: RSAII Slimline Adapter 2 required on some models) 32/64 bit 3.3v PCI-X slot Supports 1 to 4 HBA(s) per server SOFTWARE: Windows Server 2003 with SP1 and R2 Linux support - SLES9	HARDWARE: Smart IOA 32/64 bit 3.3v slot Will connect 1 to 8 System xservers/blades (Actual number will depend upon amount of I/O bandwidth required per server) SOFTWARE: i5/OS V5R4 (5722-SS1) Integrated Server Support (Option 29) Digital Certificate Manager (Option 34) IBM HTTP Server for iSeries (5722-DG1) TCP/IP Connectivity Utilities (5722-TC1) IBM iSeries Access for Windows (5722-XE1) IBM Director 5.10 (no cost option of Virtualization Engine (5733-DR1)) (5722-LSV IBM i5/OS Integration for Linux on xSeries required for Linux support)
ADAPTER COSTS 30R5201 Copper HBA @ £521 30R5501 Fibre HBA @ £743	ADAPTER COSTS: #5783 Copper HBA @ £687 #5784 Fibre HBA @ £1148
INFRASTRUCTURE Gigabit Ethernet switch Ethernet cables (CAT6 or CAT5e - 100m maximum distance) Fibre cables (500m - 50/125, 220m - 62.5/125 maximum distance)

©CVSI, based upon materials provided by IBM

More information is available upon request, but the main reference sites are:

http://www.ibm.com/systems/i/systemx and/or

http://ibm.com/systems/i/systemx/iscsi/servermodels

Users with older iSeries processors, or older versions of OS/400 will soon realise that they cannot adopt this technology, although previous technologies remain available and supported. These are briefly described below, and both can be integrated with iSCSI.

IXA (Integrated xSeries Adapter).Allows attachment of specific diskless models of System x servers to System i via the System i High Speed Link loop (HSL). Two models of IXA are currently available depending on which System x is being attached. Supported on 270, 8xx, 5xx, and V5R2 or later.

IXS (Integrated xSeries Server). Processor Intel card installed inside System i or expansion towers. Processor card has its own memory, Ethernet, and USB slots.