iSCSI
iSCSI or Internet Small Computer System Interface is an Internet Protocol (IP)-based storage networking standard for storage subsystems. It is a carrier protocol for SCSI. SCSI commands are sent over IP networks by using iSCSI. It also facilitates data transfers over intranets and to manage storage over long distances. iSCSI can be used to transmit data over LANs or WANs.
In iSCSI, clients are called initiators and SCSI storage devices are targets. The protocol allows an initiator to send SCSI commands (CDBs) to the targets on remote servers. It is a storage area network (SAN) protocol, allowing organizations to consolidate storage into data center storage arrays while providing hosts (such as database and web servers) with the illusion of locally attached disks. Unlike traditional Fibre Channel, which requires different cabling, iSCSI can be run over long distances using existing network infrastructure.
iSCSI is a low-cost alternative to Fibre Channel, which requires dedicated infrastructure except in FCoE (Fibre Channel over Ethernet). Note that the performance of an iSCSI SAN deployment can be degraded if not operated on a dedicated network or subnet
The VTL container type is designed to work seamlessly with the iSCSI protocol. For details, see Creating a VTL type container .
QoreStor processes
The table below describes the processes that QoreStor installs and runs on the QoreStor server.
| Process |
Description |
|---|---|
|
nhm |
Node Health Monitoring service - maintains a database for alerts and events. |
|
watcher |
Watcher process monitors other QoreStor processes. The watcher process will respawn other processes as necessary to keep the service online. |
| watcher_spawn |
This process monitors watcher process and spawns if necessary. |
|
sc_server |
A Secure Connect server that handles secure connects from OST and RDA plug-ins |
|
oca_idm_eda |
An event and data aggregator service for events and alerts. |
|
ocardslogwriter |
Process captures logging from all the processes, writes the data to the corresponding logs, and rotates the logs. |
|
ocaconfigsvc |
QoreStor configuration service to manage the storage groups, containers, and replication links and handle requests from the QoreStor CLI and UI. |
|
ocafsd |
QoreStor file system service to export containers, process data and manage the data on the disk. |
|
ocamonitor |
QoreStor process for periodically collecting stats from ocafsd, ocaconfigsvc and Linux system monitoring tools and populating an internal (r3) database. |
|
ocahttp |
QoreStor HTTP server to service requests for QoreStor web UI and REST API methods. Uses ocafsd, ocaconfigsvc and r3 database (graphs). |
|
ocaagent_charts |
Periodically (every hour) sends QoreStor chart related data to the Global View Cloud. |
|
ocaagent_managebutton |
Allows for remote control of QoreStor through Global View Cloud. When enabled, waits for remote management RPC commands from Global View Cloud, invokes them via API on QoreStor, and sends results back to the Global View Cloud. |
|
ocaagent_registration |
Handles Global View Cloud registration, operates on a DB table responsible for holding registration status, and performs registration/unregistration requests. |
|
ocaagent_stats |
Periodically( every 30 minutes, or when significant changes occur) sends statistic data (storage groups, containers, analytics, system information etc.) to the Global View Cloud. |
|
ocaagent_diagnostics |
Periodically queries database for keep-alive commands. Responsible only for handling diagnostic upload command. |
|
ocaagent_keepalive |
Queries the Global View Cloud for keep-alive commands ( diagnostic upload and portal unregistration) and executes them. This query occurs once a minute. |
Setting up your QoreStor system
You can interact with QoreStor using one of the methods below:
- The QoreStor GUI, accessible in a web browser using the URL https://<YourQoreStorServerName>:5233.
- The QoreStor command line interface (CLI). Refer to the QoreStor Command Line Reference Guide for more information.
- The QoreStor configuration menu, which can be accessed via a terminal emulation program using the qsservice credentials. Refer to Configuring QoreStor with the Configuration Menu for more information.
In the system GUI, you can configure your system as well as create and manage containers, which store your backup and deduplicated data. A data container is a shared file system that is imported using a client, and is accessible via file system or tape access protocols. For details, see Supported File System Protocols. The system GUI also provides real-time summary information for monitoring the status of the data capacity, storage savings, and the throughput of your data containers.
Networking requirements
Before you can start using QoreStor, ensure that you have satisfied the following networking prerequisites:
- Network: An active network is available using Ethernet cables and connections.
- Replication ports: the replication service in QoreStor requires that enabled fixed ports be configured to support replication operations that are to be performed across firewalls (TCP ports 9904, 9911, 9915, and 9916).
NOTE: For more information about replication ports, see Managing Replication Operations, and for more information about system ports, see the QoreStor Installation Guide.
- Proxy servers: when using a proxy server, some additional configurations are required. Refer to Configurations required when using proxy servers.
