Split Path Storage Virtualization Split Path Storage Virtualization with Intelligent Switcheswith Intelligent Switches

Yuval ZoharProduct Manager

Virtualization Virtualization -- DefinitionDefinition

Virtualization is the pooling of physical storage from multiple network storage devices into what

appears to be a one (or more) storage device that is managed from a central console.

��������������� ��

Storage Virtualization over SANStorage Virtualization over SAN

How Virtualization WorksHow Virtualization Works

Pool 1

Pool 2Pool 3

Pool 1

Pool 2Pool 3

How Virtualization WorksHow Virtualization Works

Host Based Storage ServicesHost Based Storage Services

• LUN allocation – low flexibility, non-efficient usage of capacity

• Distributed management

Management

Storage Services

Array Based Storage ServicesArray Based Storage Services

• Homogenous ������� / product– Functions and Services– Management

• “Single-threaded”services

Management

Storage Services

����

������

In the Data PathIn the Data Path

• Key Advantages– Secured solution

• Key Drawbacks– “Single Threaded”– SAN bottleneck– Cost of scalability– Cost of availability

Management

Storage Services

Split Path Split Path –– Host Agent SolutionHost Agent Solution

• “multi-threaded”• Distributed data

streams– Highly scalable– Highly available – Low cost

Management

Storage Services

��������

��������

Intelligent Switch Intelligent Switch -- GeneralGeneral

• Routes SCSI commands based on addresses mapping (as opposed to switching based on physical addresses)

• Two configurations:– Independent component connected to the fabric switch– Switch and router in the same box

• Usually hardware solution to achieve close to “wire speed” solution.

Intelligent Switch Intelligent Switch -- OperationalOperational

• iSwitch is a SCSI target that exposes virtual LUNs to the hosts.

• Every I/O to a virtual LUN is routed to a physical LUN

• Routing is done based on dynamic (changeable) data.

• Exceptions are handled by software

Split Path Split Path –– Intelligent Switch SolutionIntelligent Switch Solution

• multi-processor, multi-threaded

• Distributed data streams– Highly scalable– Highly available – Deployment

Simplicity

Management

Storage Services

��������

��������

Intelligent Switch Architecture advantagesIntelligent Switch Architecture advantages

• No SAN Bottlenecks:– More iSwitches can be added as required

– “Wire speed” response time

• Central management – Done by a different box that

handles only metadata

• Increased security – Front-end and back-end zones. No

direct from hosts to storage

• Reduce management conflicts - storage vs. server

teams

• Meets the market trend

Intelligent Switch vendorsIntelligent Switch vendors

Architecture (SVM with Architecture (SVM with AcceleraAccelera NSS)NSS)

SVM F-AgentSVM Agent running on Accelera

SVMMetadata Server