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Status Not under consideration
Workspace IBM i
Categories Storage
Created by Guest
Created on Sep 20, 2020

Please implement iSCSI initiator (client)

It would be nice to have support for placing iASPs onto iSCSI volumes hosted elsewhere.


Use Case:

This would help to put less often used objects on cheaper and slower storage for smaller shops who don't rely on VIOS but only on IBM i in a primary LPAR.


Idea priority Low
  • Guest
    Reply
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    Oct 20, 2020

    In the short term we do not intend to deliver iSCSI attached disk storage. We will continue to monitor the market but as pointed out, there is more to attaching 'cheap storage' than just the protocol. There are storage device drivers and storage qualification that needs to be done if it is a new type of storage being attached and that is specific to the storage controller.

  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Oct 20, 2020

    in my opinion the Request aims to attach rather cheap storage to single IBM i LPAR systems which might be a valid idea for small shops to archive data or objects, but with the price tag of adding "cheap" storage systems to a "non-cheap" operating system.
    If this is really needed i would suggest to add VIOS as a layer (even only for the second ASP) as then you have some options already available which also can add some redundancy.

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Sep 30, 2020

    .No, because as pointed out just because you have an iSCSI device driver doesn't mean you can attach any iSCSI attached storage. By default you would probably be able to attach the same storage as you can with fibre channel since there are storage device drivers in IBM i for DS8000 and Spectrum Virtualize. The price on those boxes doesn't really change whether it is fibre channel attached or iSCSI attached.

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Sep 30, 2020

    Business Justification: See Use case. Is this sufficient as explanation?

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Sep 29, 2020

    .More Information Needed.

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Sep 21, 2020

    Please specify the storage that you would like to attach. iSCSI is just the transport protocol, IBM i still needs a device driver for the specific storage. Changing the transport from fibre channel to iSCSI for a currently supported device would save a little money but I don't think that is the intention of this RFE.

  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Sep 21, 2020

    Under consideration for future plans