iSCSI (Indsutry Standrd Coding Idnetification) is now considered a serious practical alternative to Fibre Channel. However, at present there is a place for both technologies in system architecture.
Once, Fibre Channel SANs were the only real storage option beyond DAS. But, the cost and complexity of the SAN solution limited its usefulness as serious business option until the evolution of iSCSI SANS.
iSCSI SANs have been tagged, mistakenly, as low-end storage solutions. But both technologies have significantly shifted their positions in the marketplace. Fibre Channel technology has become less complex and less costly to implement, while the iSCSI offering has become more robust, resilient and affordable.
Costs versus complexity
In a head to head, the availability of iSCSI SAN solutions with robust functionality and scalable performance has increased the likelihood that iSCSI would win out over a Fibre Channel option. Not only because of cost, but the hardware and skills required to setup and maintain a fibre network are infinitely more complicated.
iSCSI will always dominate the lower-end because of price, low complexity and common technologies. Fibre Channel will capture high-end storage solutions market where cost and complexity can be justified in dedicated and bespoke functionality.
But who takes the middle ground?
Here, things get really interesting. There is a rather large middle ground where both solutions will be competing on an equal footing. Competition will be intense because customers will have two technology options to fulfil the same business requirements. Inevitably, it will change the business landscape.
Securing the future
The good news is that you win. Multiple technologies solving the same business problems put you in the driving seat. Competition drives costs down and vendors consistently have to improve their technology to win business and satisfy customer demands and increasing business expectations.
Which option best suits your business? Our skills, knowledge and expertise with both options can help you to decide, giving you the best of all worlds in a solution that will take your business securely a long way into the future.