IP Storage BOF (ips)

Wednesday, March 29 at 1530-1730
================================

CHAIRS: Mark Bradley <markb@btc.adaptec.com>
        David Lee <Dave_Lee@3com.com> 

DESCRIPTION:

While file storage protocols like NFS and AFS have long operated over
IP-based networks, block storage protocols such as SCSI and ATA have
yet to make the leap from non-IP based interconnects to IP-based
networks. With the emergence of gigabit and 10-gigabit IP networks,
transporting block storage over IP networks is increasingly
attractive.

An IETF working group is the right forum to deal with the many
technical issues associated with IP Storage. These issues include the
following.

* A standard, interoperable, high-performance, reliable transport
  protocol for SCSI over IP is needed. Current thinking is that a 
  simple protocol over TCP can do the job. Transport of ATA over IP 
  is related, but there is no agreement as to need to support it.

* Methods for configuring and discovering storage devices need to be
  defined. As part of the work, the group will need to determine 
  whether and how to leverage other IETF work in this area (e.g. 
  zeroconf, LDAP, Service Location Protocol).

* Methods for the reduction of network stack processing overhead at
  the storage clients and servers need to be considered and possibly
  incorporated into the protocol

* Integration of secure communication mechanisms that support
  high-speed data transfer and restricted access to storage devices
  -- leveraging existing security solutions (e.g., IPsec, SCSI
  Access Control) whenever possible.

* Bridging to other SCSI-based interconnects (including Fibre Channel)
  needs to be defined

* SNMP MIBs and/or CIM object models for SCSI-based devices may be 
  necessary

* QoS issues need to be considered

* IPv6 and NAT interoperability

The ANSI T10, T11, and T13 committees currently control the SCSI,
Fibre Channel, and ATA storage standards. The working group will need
to determine the extent of its collaboration with those committees.

Some progress on these issues has been made already:

* To get the ball rolling, Julian Satran and others have posted a
  preliminary SCSI over TCP draft. It can be found at:
  ftp://ftp.ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-satran-scot-00.txt
  ftp://ftp.isi.edu/internet-drafts/draft-satran-scot-00.txt

AGENDA:

15:30-15:35 Review of BOF agenda and meeting objectives 
            (A. Mankin/D. Lee/M. Bradley)
15:35-15:55 IP Storage needs and goals 
            (M. Bradley/D. Nagle)
15:55-16:25 Approaches (10 minutes each)

15:55-16:05 NetSCSI 
            (G. Finn)
16:05-16:15 iSCSI presention 
            (C. Sapuntzakis)
16:15-16:25 Other encapsulation/protocol approaches 
            (P. von Stamwitz)
16:25-16:55 Proposed charter 
            (M. Bradley/C. Sapuntzakis/D. Lee)
16:55-17:30 Open Discussion

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