U Liverpool Deploys iSCSI in Virtualized SAN

The University of Liverpool Department of Computer Science is moving away from direct-attached RAIDs to a virtualized SAN environment using StorMagic's SM Series iSCSI Storage Area Network.

According to the university, the department was using a system comprising three individual RAIDs and various DLT tape drives attached to two servers. Two were for faculty; one was for students. Using the iSCSI SAN, the storage devices were networked to make storage "more efficient" and to protect data.

"Because of the nature of our department, our users generate vast amounts of data and want to have access to a technology infrastructure that offers them very high availability and performance 24/7," said Kenneth Chan, principal experimental officer at the Department of Computer Science at the University of Liverpool. "The existing RAID systems were directly attached to the servers and as a result, they were becoming marginalized. We decided that networking our storage would be more effective, and the StorMagic system was the answer for us. The StorMagic system is effectively a SAN that uses existing Ethernet cabling and 'ordinary' Ethernet switches; hence, it eliminates the need for a Fibre Channel infrastructure, which tends to be complex and costly. We plan to also deploy our StorMagic system for near-line disk-based archiving."

The University of Liverpool's Department of Computer Science serves more than 500 undergraduate students and has 94 permanent staff, research assistants, and Ph.D. students.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • Complete College America Launches Center to Boost Data-Driven Student Success Strategies

    National nonprofit Complete College America (CCA) recently launched the Center for Leadership, Institutional Metrics, and Best Practices (CLIMB), with the goal of helping higher education institutions use data-driven strategies to improve student outcomes.

  • teacher

    6 Policy Recommendations for Incorporating AI in the Classroom

    The Southern Regional Education Board's Commission on AI in Education has published six recommendations for states on adopting artificial intelligence in schools, colleges, and universities. The guidance marks the commission's first release since it was established last February, with more recommendations planned in the coming year.

  • computer screen displaying a landline phone being unplugged from a single cord, with a modern office desk, keyboard, and subtle lighting in the background

    Microsoft to Discontinue Skype Services

    Microsoft has announced that it is shutting down service for its Skype telecommunications and video calling services on May 5, 2025.

  • Two figures, one male and one female, stand beside a transparent digital interface displaying AI symbols like neural networks, code, and a shield, against a clean blue gradient background.

    Report Makes Business Case for Responsible AI

    A new report commissioned by Microsoft and published last month by research firm IDC notes that 91% of organizations use AI tech and expect more than a 24% improvement in customer experience, business resilience, sustainability, and operational efficiency due to AI in 2024.