28 Apr 2010
Vicon’s white paper on storage area network helps to understand storage options in video surveillance systems better
iSCSI is an IP-based storage networking standard that transmits over CAT-5 using the standard SCSI protocol

Vicon has published a white paper which explains the concepts of Storage Area Network (SAN) technology using iSCSI protocols and how this is improving the storage options for network video
surveillance systems.

"SAN RAID and iSCSI technologies provide system designers with a choice in determining the location of storage within a network, as well as how the storage is allocated across multiple recording platforms," said Richard Allen-Miles, Vicon's Sales Director for the UK and Ireland. "The Vicon white paper discusses the advantages of SAN technology and presents some "best practices" for designing system topologies that make use of it."

RAID arrays are popular for their ability to provide large quantities of storage in a highly secure manner. This has typically involved connecting a RAID array directly to an NVR or DVR using a SCSI connection. While this type of storage solution is still a good option, a new type of RAID that uses an iSCSI protocol is opening up new levels of flexibility for system design and operation. iSCSI is an IP-based storage networking standard that transmits over CAT-5 using the standard SCSI protocol. It allows for NVRs and DVRs to transmit to SAN RAID units up to twenty-five times further than if they were using a traditional SCSI interface.

Copies of the white paper are available upon request by email.