Two key concerns remain: security and the ability to tackle high-end, transaction-oriented applications.
All three panelists say they isolate data on their IP SANs on virtual LANs inside the data center to safeguard against outsiders. And Walters feels one needs to be more vigilant with iSCSI than with Fibre Channel storage. There are more people out there with IP hacking abilities and tools than with Fibre Channel, he says.
None of these happy early adopters is using his IP SAN for high-end transaction applications, either. So far, the technology doesn't purport to be ready for speedy high-volume retrieval.
Still, the vendors seem pleased with iSCSI's progress, and some even challenge the above complaints. Its somewhat different than a year ago, says Peter Wang, CTO of iSCSI storage startup Intransa Inc. When we talked to people last year, the first thing they did was challenge performance. Then they found out performance wasnt that different for a lot of applications. Then it was, What about security? Well, security really isnt that different than with Fibre Channel either.
Ken Steinhardt, director of technology analysis for EMC Corp. (NYSE: EMC), says he expects iSCSI to coexist with Fibre Channel in SANs for years to come, since iSCSI is good for handling lots of smaller storage tasks, while Fibre Channel remains a high-volume workhorse. The differences between the two are more application centered than hardware centered. I dont think most enterprises will be just one or the other, he maintains.
Bob Friday, Chief AI Officer for Juniper Networks, explains how the advanced technology is transforming operations.
Contact center leaders from 8x8, Awaken Intelligence, and 360insight discuss the importance of agent experience.
AI may force enterprises to rewire parts of their data centers so they are fully optimized to run such workloads. The question is do you use Ethernet or InfiniBand?
