iSCSI

Stands for "Internet Small Computer Systems Interface." iSCSI is an extension of the standard SCSI storage interface that allows SCSI commands to be sent over an IP based network. It enables computers to access hard drives over a network the same way they would access a drive that is directly connected to the computer.

iSCSI is a popular protocol used by storage area networks, which allow multiple computers to share multiple hard drives. For example, data centers can be spread out over multiple locations using iSCSI and a standard Internet connection. While the data access time may be slower over the Internet than compared to a direct SCSI connection, iSCSI can serve as a helpful means for creating off-site backups and sharing large amounts of data across multiple locations.

Published: 2009