RFC - 3720

Internet Small Computer Systems Interface (iSCSI)

Original:	ftp://ftp.isi.edu/in-notes/rfc3720.txt
Authors:	J. Satran [IBM], K. Meth [IBM], C. Sapuntzakis [Cisco Systems], M. Chadalapaka [Hewlett-Packard Co.], E. Zeidner [IBM]
Date:	April 2004
Category:	Proposed Standard

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Updated by:
RFC-4850prop	Declarative Public Extension Key for Internet Small Computer Systems Interface (iSCSI) Node Architecture
RFC-3980prop	T11 Network Address Authority (NAA) Naming Format for iSCSI Node Names

Referred by:	13 RFC
Refers to:	31 RFC

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Status

This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2003). All Rights Reserved.

Abstract

This document describes a transport protocol for Internet Small Computer Systems Interface (iSCSI) that works on top of TCP. The iSCSI protocol aims to be fully compliant with the standardized SCSI architecture model.

SCSI is a popular family of protocols that enable systems to communicate with I/O devices, especially storage devices. SCSI protocols are request/response application protocols with a common standardized architecture model and basic command set, as well as standardized command sets for different device classes (disks, tapes, media-changers etc.).

As system interconnects move from the classical bus structure to a network structure, SCSI has to be mapped to network transport protocols. IP networks now meet the performance requirements of fast system interconnects and as such are good candidates to "carry" SCSI.

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