Free iSCSI Target Software

Recently during one of my Windows Failover clustering presentation I received the question how to emulate iSCSI shared disks to build a failover cluster without having to buy an expensive storage environment. In my case I'm using our own iSCSI target software but there are some other vendors that let you use their target software for free:

• MySAN, from Nimbus Data Systems: https://www.nimbusdata.com/products/mysan/mysan.htm
• StarWind, from RocketDivision: https://www.rocketdivision.com/download_starwind.html

Now you have all the tools needed to start testing out Windows Server 2008 failover clustering.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Windows Server 2008,Failover Clustering,iSCSI Target,Mysan,Starwind

Comments

• Anonymous
  April 02, 2008
  PingBack from http://msft.starsports.info/msft/free-iscsi-target-software/

• Anonymous
  April 02, 2008
  In my tests, MySAN doesn't support Windows clustering - it won't pass the validation tests, because it doesn't support some features such as SCSI-3 persistent reservations.  Have I missed something?  I have not yet had a chance to test StarWind. It would be nice if Microsoft provided an iSCSI target (like WinTarget from StringBean, which was acquired last year,) without requiring customers to purchase Windows Storage Server. Thanks!

• Anonymous
  April 07, 2008
  Indeed StarWind iSCSI Target from Rocket Division Software does fully support both 2003 style clustering and new 2008 style clustering (with the persistant reservations). Just in case here's an URL: <a href="http://www.rocketdivision.com/wind.html">StarWind iSCSI Target</a> At the same time referenced MySan does not work at all.,,,,,, Regards, eMule-ator

• Anonymous
  January 21, 2009
  <a href="http://www.kernsafe.com">StarWind iSCSI Target</a> There also have a free version.

• Anonymous
  January 21, 2009
  http://www.kernsafe.com There also have a free version of iSCSI Target.

• Anonymous
  May 16, 2009
  If you are an MSDN or TechNet Plus subscriber, you can get Windows Storage Server 2008 and the Microsoft iSCSI Software Target 3.2: http://blogs.technet.com/josebda/archive/2009/05/16/windows-storage-server-2008-with-the-microsoft-iscsi-software-target-3-2-available-to-msdn-and-technet-plus-subscribers.aspx

• Anonymous
  May 22, 2009
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  January 29, 2010
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  May 25, 2010
  StarWind iSCSI target is completely free, SCSI-3 PR compatible, vendor agnostic and highly available: www.starwindsoftware.com/starwind -nismo

• Anonymous
  May 08, 2011
  You can use it in standalone environment. If you want to build a clustered iSCSI Target environment here are my notes; techontip.wordpress.com/.../microsoft-iscsi-target-cluster-building-walkthrough