Nimbus 'Targets' iSCSI Giveaway

Weeks after Microsoft sent its iSCSI target software out to OEMs, Nimbus Data is offering its own iSCSI target for Windows Server 2003 -- for free.

Microsoft needn't fear Nimbus moving in on its turf, though. Nimbus Data CEO Tom Isakovich says his target is aimed at end users and SOHOs who want to turn a handful of PCs into IP SANs.

In contrast, Microsoft's iSCSI Software Target Application Pack -- based on technology acquired when the company bought String Bean Software -- is available only for systems OEMs that want to build IP SANs. (See Microsoft Targets iSCSI and Microsoft Munches String Bean.)

Microsoft hasn't disclosed pricing for it iSCSI Software Target Application Pack, but String Bean sold WinTarget for $1,995 for unlimited connections and $300 for a one-connection license. (See String Bean Software.)

To review: The iSCSI target is a device such as a disk, array, tape library, or switch that is capable of accepting iSCSI communications from an iSCSI initiator. An iSCSI initiator typically comprises software on a server that makes iSCSI requests to the target. The iSCSI target software lets users turn a volume, partition, or disk space into a LUN.Here's how Nimbus's MySAN works: A user downloads the MySAN iSCSI target from Nimbus's Website, selects a Windows system or partitions as iSCSI targets, downloads Microsoft's free iSCSI initiator for the host computers on the network, and assigns targets to hosts.

"You take the Microsoft initiator, MySAN target, any Windows PC with a 20-gig hard drive, and boom, you've got a SAN," Isakovich says.

MySAN is based on Nimbus's Linux-based Halo software, which runs the vendor's Nimbus Breeze IP SANs. Nimbus reworked MySAN to make it Windows compatible. On the downside, it lacks the advanced features in Halo or Microsoft's String Bean software -- such as support for NAS, asynchronous replication, and Virtual Disk Service (VDS) support for data protection and management.

Former String Bean CEO Mickey McIntire says Nimbus's target "will make some waves."

"MySAN sounds similar to what we did; in that, WinTarget would turn any Windows XP, 2000, or 2003 box into an iSCSI target," says McIntire, now a consultant. "But giving away a full-featured iSCSI target that can run on any Windows 2003 box isnt something we ever contemplated. We sold software for a living -- we didn’t give it away."Nimbus sells IP SANs for a living, and Isakovich says he's giving the software away in hopes of getting customers hooked on iSCSI so they'll eventually move to larger Nimbus systems.

"This is another way to get more people to try iSCSI," he says. "For a lot of people it's still out of reach financially. This way they can get their feet wet with and get comfortable with it. If the overall market grows, Nimbus will benefit as a player in the iSCSI market."

Perhaps. But even if customers get hooked on iSCSI, that doesn’t mean they'll settle on Nimbus systems. They can choose from the likes of EMC, Hewlett-Packard, or Network Appliance, as well as dedicated iSCSI vendors EqualLogic, Intransa, or LeftHand Networks.

Isakovich doesn't rule out pursuing his own OEM deals down the road, but McIntire says he doesn't think MySAN's basic functionality will threaten any Microsoft OEM relationships.

"Microsoft has the advantage of a target that’s fully integrated into their server, with a consistent interface and advanced functionality," McIntire says. "I don’t think they are going to react too negatively to this."Isakovich says he expects to complete compatability testing for Microsoft's Designed for Windows logo program within a few months, which will result in Microsoft supporting MySAN.

— Dave Raffo, News Editor, Byte and Switch