Case Study: iStor Networks

Case Studies SoC Decision Tree Pointers and Pitfalls design and engineering insights

iStor Networks Finds the Toshiba SoC World a Perfect Environment
to Power GigaStorATX Storage Controller for SAN Over IP

CONTEXT

The decade old technology of Fibre Channel SANs will eventually be replaced by iSCSI, analysts predict. iSCSI allows for simultaneous reads and writes to multiple disks, in multiple locations, using commodity hardware over TCP/IP. IP SAN revenues are forecasted to reach $296 million in 2005, and explode to $2.7 billion by 2008, according to IDC—a leading provider of technology intelligence. “In 2004, the market for iSCSI SAN grew beyond the $100 million barrier, led mostly by the adoption of midrange systems priced between $15,000 and $149,999,” said a senior research analyst at IDC.

GigaStorATX is designed to conform to ATX form factor specifications. This allows OEMs, VARs, and System Integrators to use an off-the-shelf, standard PC Server and Storage chassis to build high-performance, feature-rich, cost-effective iSCSI RAID storage solutions.

ASSESSING THE iSTOR CHALLENGE iStor recognized that small to mid-size businesses were in need of a new storage technology that met today’s demand for high performance, interoperability, and ease of management—but at a much lower total cost-of-ownership. As a young company, iStor’s timed entrance into the market was essential.

The evolution and introduction of Ethernet technology from Gigabit Ethernet to 10GE can make the iSCSI standard a dominant interface for storage access in the desktop, server, data center, and distributed enterprise environments. By providing an SoC that allows storage vendors to come to market faster and reduce their overall costs for iSCSI-based storage systems, iStor can potentially drive rapid adoption.

iStor required a straightforward SoC provider to expedite the development and delivery of an advanced IC that could ensure their goal to lower the cost-per-gigabyte of storage, along with achieving high levels of integration. Significant chip consolidation was essential, as iStor’s single-chip solution was to replace:

1) 2 or more iSCSI/TOE/Network chips
2) 1 to 2 fire-breathing Intel processor chips
3) 3-chip processor chipset
4) 2 SATA RAID controllers

Interested in a complete business solution, iStor quickly vetoed multiple vendors’ technology to satisfy their total system cost and time-to-market needs. As Toshiba holds a significant technological lead in delivering production-volume, high-yield 90nm and 130nm custom SoCs and ASICs, iStor recognized that they would not be compromised by technical constraints. The ability for them to work with any leading third-party tools vs a proprietary set was equally appealing.

TOSHIBA SoC WORLD EASES CONCERNS

Toshiba’s success-driven culture and flexible engagement model proved critical. David Clark, Director of Technical Marketing and Product Engineering at iStor Networks, explained, “iStor evaluated other SoC providers but Toshiba stood out, strategically and tactically. They worked closely with iStor to provide a turnkey solution that would allow us to achieve the required level of integration and the high pin counts needed for our product, while lowering the non-recurring cost.”

At the heart of the GigaStorATX is the highly integrated, high-performance, 10GbE iStor iSNP8008 iSCSI/TCP/IP off-load SoC. The device houses embedded processors running a fully featured, integrated Storage Virtualization firmware stack. The GigaStorATX offers Media Protection, Caching, Redundancy, End-to-End data protection, RAID, Micro Rebuild, SAN Zoning, Instant Volume, and Remote Memory Channel for High Availability support.

Simon Huang, Co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of iStor, noted, “It was key for us to develop a relationship for predictable development and delivery. The Toshiba SoC enables a very cost-effective solution, compared to other iSCSI storage controller options.”

iStor Networks' Team >>

GigaStorATX storage subsystem controller >>

GETTING THE RIGHT SOLUTION

First generation IP Storage solutions predominantly comprise discrete implementations of motherboards, conventional RAID storage controllers, iSCSI or TCP/IP offload engine (TOE) controllers, 3rd party management software, and storage virtualization software. The GigaStor product provides a completely integrated, fully functional 10GbE iSCSI Integrated Storage Solution with reduced time-to-market and lower costs, while increasing performance.

The GigaStorATX base technology provides the capability of up to eight 1GbE or a single 10GbE iSCSI host connection(s), with support for up to 16 native SATA disk devices, up to 4GB of cache memory, with RAID 0,1,10,5 and JBOD. GigaStorHA includes the robust feature set of the GigaStorATX product, but adds Remote Memory Channel functionality to provide High Available, dual redundant storage capabilities.

With the collaborative support of teams from Toshiba and iStor Networks, GigaStorATX is poised to change IP SAN economics. GigaStorATX is marketed through a number of channels, including direct sales force to storage, server and switch OEMs and ODMs, VAR and integrator channel, major industry shows and trade magazines, web seminars and storage conferences. More information is available at www.istor.com.

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