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Internet Small Computer Systems Interface / High Definition
What is iSCSI/HD?
- iSCSI/HD allows owners of high definition capable hardware and software to access their media across an IP network.
What are the requirements for iSCSI/HD today?
- A server acting running iSCSI Target mode running Linux v2.6 with an HD capable optical drive.
- A client that is capable of HD media playback, has a GigE network connection, and can speak iSCSI.
Has iSCSI/HD been tested over IPv6?
- Yes, both IPv4 and IPv6 sessions have been tested and are stable.
Has iSCSI/HD been tested over wireless networks?
- Yes, bandwith requirements currently max out draft 802.11n wireless hardware, and hence causes the playback to be a just a little bit slow with iSCSI/HD over wireless. However, with the proper tuning and software player buffering logic, this can soon be a reality.
- Final 802.11n (ie: not draft) wireless hardware will most likely help here to achieve the few extra Mbit this takes for smooth playback on currently available software. More on this as final 802.11n hardware launches..
How does Linux/iSCSI fit into this prototype..?
- A modern Linux v2.6 kernel, supporting a wide and diverse array of architectures, allows storage objects to be exported across target mode IP storage networks. For this prototype, win32 iSCSI/HD initiators are used for decoding iSCSI storage object traffic.
What about iSCSI/HD playback on Linux..?
- This currently does not exist. However, HD capable software decoders on an open platform will eventually provide an increased amount of flexibility for allowing different system platforms to access storage objects and their associated logical units across Ethernet and IP networks.
- Leading support for Linux on x86_64 virtualization is another location where iSCSI/HD will eventually allow greater flexibility for owners of HD capable hardware and software. More on this topic as things unfold..
Will there be a howto? Where will I be able to find this howto?
- There is interest within the community for seeing a howto for doing this today. A link to the HOWTO will be provided here.
Current iSCSI/HD Prototype system
iSCSI/HD Target - Playstation3/iSCSI running on PPE
- Linux-iSCSI.org iSCSI Target Core Stack v2.9.0.57 on Linux/ppc64 on 2.6.23-rc5
- iqn.2003-01.org.linux-iscsi.playstation3.cell:sn.73b073c4e157
Status: ACTIVATED Execute/Left/Max Queue Depth: 0/1/1 SectorSize: 2048 MaxSectors: 32 Parallel SCSI Device Bus Location: Target ID: 0 Channel ID: 0 LUN: 0 Vendor: SONY Model: PS-SYSTEM 302R Rev: 4084 Type: CD-ROM ANSI SCSI revision: ffffffff Unit Serial: DIRECT EXPORTED
Status: ACTIVATED Execute/Left/Max Queue Depth: 0/1/1 SectorSize: 2048 MaxSectors: 240 Parallel SCSI Device Bus Location: Target ID: 0 Channel ID: 0 LUN: 0 Vendor: TOSHIBA Model: DVD/HD X807616 Rev: MC08 Type: CD-ROM ANSI SCSI revision: ffffffff Unit Serial: DIRECT EXPORTED
iSCSI/HD Initiator 0 - win32
- Core 2 Duo v1.8Ghz at 2.16Ghz w/ DDR2 memory (Conroe)
- ATI Radeon X1900
iSCSI/HD Initiator 1 - win32
- Apple Macbook Pro with Core 2 Duo 2.16Ghz (Merom)
- ATI Radeon Mobility X1600
iSCSI/HD Win32 Software
- MSFT iSCSI Initiator v2.xx
- PowerDVD v7.3 and AnyDVD HD 6.1.x.x
iSCSI/HD and virtual machine environments
If we are talking in the context of virtual machines running iSCSI/HD initiator traffic, the primary requirement is that underlying video hardware is available to the guest so that HD media can be decoded. Depending on the availabe hardware, this will could be done in software initially for the VM, and then accelerated down to the host.
Other than that piece, a network connection, and iSCSI/HD Target are the only other requirements.
Also note that today iSCSI/DVD playback is available with guest VM environments, as there are no restriction on video hardware.
Can you tell me more about iSCSI/HD and how it brings more value to the HD products I own?
- How does iSCSI/HD deliver value to the end user?
- How does iSCSI/HD deliver value to the vendor?