Do you have trouble finding large storage for VAST?

QUESTION

Do you have trouble finding large storage for VAST?

 

ANSWER

Introduction

Have you felt you needed more storage space when using VAST? Do you need to prevent data loss due to a failed hard drive? The perfect solution for these challenges is iSCSI.

Why is iSCSI? iSCSI supports larger storage sizes to meet your surveillance demands and its redundancy mechanism ensures that recorded data is stored safety. For further information, please read this document.

What is iSCSI?

iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface) is a network protocol that makes it possible to send SCSI commands over a TCP/IP network instead of an SCSI cable. By carrying SCSI commands over IP networks, iSCSI is used to facilitate data transfer over intranets and to manage storage over long distances. This makes it possible to connect a storage device and address it as a local drive on the server.

Unlike traditional Fiber Channel, which requires special-purpose cabling, iSCSI can be run over long distances using existing network infrastructure. iSCSI is commonly used in large installations, usually in RAID configurations, as it is a way of quickly adding more storage to a server.

Why Use iSCSI?

1. Storage Request - Usage of iSCSI depends on the number of channels (cameras) the users wants to insert into VAST and how long the recorded data needs to be stored. For example, for recording 64 channels of 2-megapixel cameras and storing the recorded data for more than one month, then storage of at least 60 TB is required (IP8161, 1600x1200, H.264, 10 fps, video quality=Good). Currently, the maximum of hard disk is 2 TB and normally one computer can install up to 5HDDS. With only one server, this allows for 10 TB* (5 x 2TB) at most. Therefore, when more storage is required, iSCSI needs to be employed. As an example, take the Qsan P300Q-C316 - it can install up 16 HDDs and an extended 72 HDDs. With this configuration, the device provides a total of up to 104 TB. As such, it can store 64 x 2-megapixel cameras for almost 2 months!
2. Redundancy - In a surveillance system, the recorded data is very important and requires a mechanism to protect the data. As a hard disk or network cables might fail, iSCSI is advantageous in that it has redundancy mechanisms as follows:
   1. Network Cables - An iSCSI device usually supports multiple network cables, not only for increasing the network bandwidth for transmission, but if one cable fails, the other cables can function in its stead. For example: Qsan P300Q-C316 supports 4 x iSCSI network cables (for transmitting data).
   2. RAID - iSCSI also provides RAID settings, which can be used to recover data even in the event of failure of one of the HDDs. There are seven level of RAID: RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 2, RAID 3, RAID 4, RAID 5, and RAID 6. For more information, please refer to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAIDNote: If you have 16 HDDs and select to use RAID 6, you will need 2 HDDs for data recovery. So your iSCSI storage system will have (16-2) x 2 = 28 TB for use.

How to Set Up iSCSI?

1. Minimum Equipment Requirements - Please prepare the devices as shown below:
   1. iSCSI device
   2. Gigabit switch
   3. Gigabit Ethernet Network Interface Card
   4. At least 3 network cables
2. Installation Steps
   1. Set up the iSCSI device.
   2. Configure the iSCSI device:
      1. Set up the physical disk.
      2. Setup RAID group (suggest using RAID 6).
      3. Setup the virtual disk.
   3. Install Microsoft iSCSI Initiator.
   4. Open iSCSI Initiator > Discovery and add the iSCSI IP address.
   5. Change to iSCSI Initiator > Targets and click "Log on".
   6. You can find the new driver on your computer.