DSI Releases New Network Storage Protocol Into Open Source
Press Release: see attachment
For Immediate Release
DSI Releases New Network Storage Protocol Into Open Source
Ethernet-based HyperSCSI protocol provides performance, security and
flexibility
Singapore, 28 August 2002 - The Data Storage Institute (DSI) today released
the HyperSCSI protocol and reference implementation code into open source.
HyperSCSI is a new storage protocol designed for the transfer of SCSI data
and commands over networks. The current protocol release runs on
Ethernet-based networks.
"Our engineers' work on HyperSCSI demonstrates that using Ethernet for high
performance storage networking is indeed viable and secure," said Professor
Chong Tow Chong, Director for DSI. "HyperSCSI is designed to be extremely
flexible. In this way, it can meet the network storage needs of various
diverse technology fields, from consumer electronics to enterprise storage
systems."
DSI, a research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research
(A*STAR), has been working on the HyperSCSI project for over two years.
Unlike other network storage protocols based on Ethernet, HyperSCSI does not
use TCP/IP as a foundation for communications. While this may run counter to
convention, it has in fact allowed HyperSCSI to achieve high throughput
without the need for complex and expensive hardware add-ons. Intrinsic
advantages of bypassing TCP/IP include immunity to hacking via the Internet,
simplicity and plug-and-play functions, making HyperSCSI easy to use for
developers and users.
Benchmarks conducted by the DSI using common off-the-shelf hardware
demonstrate that HyperSCSI can achieve 100MB/s sustained data throughput
using a 2GB size data set. There was no requirement for customized hardware,
device drivers, accelerator chips or proprietary software. In another
demonstration, HyperSCSI was used to display smooth DVD video played directly
from a standard DVD drive over an 802.11b Wireless LAN network.
Not limiting itself to just IDE and SCSI hard disk drives, HyperSCSI also
supports optical, tape and even removable USB drives. DSI has successfully
used HyperSCSI for CDRW recording and tape drive backup over the network. It
is compatible with Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet (with and without Jumbo
frames) and 802.11b Wireless LAN. The present version of HyperSCSI also
includes built-in 128-bit encryption.
Some of the application areas in which HyperSCSI is currently being tested
include data backup and recovery, storage for high performance computing
clusters and grids, wireless network storage, home network storage, personal
area network storage and Ethernet-based storage area networks.
Upcoming developments for HyperSCSI include multi-channel support, in-band
management and wider platform support. Ultimately, HyperSCSI will help to
provide cheaper and more efficient storage solutions to both enterprises and
ordinary consumers.
The HyperSCSI protocol has been recognised by the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and assigned the Ethertype Number #889a.
For further information or to view HyperSCSI's protocol specifications,
reference code and benchmarking results, please visit
http://nst.dsi.a-star.edu.sg/mcsa/hyperscsi/.
About Data Storage Institute
A national research institute under the Agency for Science, Research and
Technology, Data Storage Institute is ranked among the top six storage R&D
centers worldwide. DSI aims to achieve excellence in research with a dynamic
research culture and stay relevant to industry in the provision of technology
solutions to industrial partners. Collaborating closely with academia and
industry in research and manpower training, its core competencies are
consolidated under the five major research divisions of Head, Media and
Materials; Mechanical, Electronics System Design; Optical Technology, Network
Storage Technology and Technology Support. For more information, please refer
to www.dsi.a-star.edu.sg.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Loo See Mei / Angeline Chua
Porter Novelli Convergence Group
Phone: +65-6330-6222
Fax: +65-6339-9337
Email: angeline.chua@porternovelli.com
For technical enquiries, please contact:
Patrick Khoo
MCSA Group, NST Division DSI
Phone: +65-6874-8413
Fax: +65-6777-2053
Email: KHOO_Beng_Teck@dsi.a-star.edu.sg
