Then what does the term "distributed caches" mean in practice? Does it mean that each connected to SAN volume's file system holds in RAM its current file table copy, and an arbitrator like metaSAN strives to update these copies in real time to keep them exactly the same?

Thanks! It sounds kind of strange though, since iSCSI imposes some processing overhead and other penalties. I do understand, Coraid controls hardware market due to limited demand, but why no-one is interested to offer such software for Windows to complement existing sales?

Anyone can suggest AoE Target software (not hardware) that works on Windows? If there is no such software solution, will it be a big performance penalty to run Linux based AoE Target from inside VMWare Linux VM, running on Win7 host? Does it make sense to use AoE in that configuration - in what scen...

Looking at that link you suggested, does the term "distributed caches" imply that in iSCSI connection each Initiator saves locally a copy of data that was ever written to each Target during current session? Once the session is closed, that local file copy is then discarded at local disk be...

Is it possible to work with iSCSI Target from several Initiators, if only one at a time writes data to it? What will happen with data and FS in this scenario? Or StarWind Target blocks write operations from any iSCSI Initiators but one, regardless concurrent or sequential? I found that only one Init...

Its hard to even register on their forums. No movement there. :) It's even harder to find a forum, where metaSAN is discussed in depth. They posted a long list of known bugs in 4.5 Release Notes http://www.tiger-technology.com/downloads/metaSAN_metaSAN_iSCSI_metaLAN_Server_metaLAN_4-5_Release_Notes....

1) Start with fixing your configuration (see in the forum about Alcohol edition co-existing on the same host. It's a complete STOPPER). Now when this part seems to be resolved, would you be so kind to comment on this issue http://www.starwindsoftware.com/forums/post12449.html#p12449 , what I can do...

Thanks Anton! Will try to study your suggestion in slow motion... :) What particular file servers would you recommend for Virtualized and Movable? What's the benefit to have such file server structure? Reserve the right to ask more questions of course. Why your installer served the PC with 2 servers...

Thanks Anton! As I said, just trying to use various approaches in data service setup at the beginner level. :D Where can we get a normal StarWind Target to try instead of that one? Any trial link - we didn't setup own internet server yet with company mail? Would you recommend any links to get a bett...

telnet to IP:3260 (iSCSI) and IP:3261 (control). If failed check your firewall and/or routing settings. I just tried, and can Telnet to both ports. Port 3260 opens a black screen in Console (don't know how to get out of it), and port 3261 opens StarWind Alcohol Edition iSCSI Target v12.1 screen in ...

At the same time we wanted to try using a Cluster File System to exchange data btw the host and guest and keep synchronized all drives connected to the same target image. So I followed your site Guide to install a metaSAN Manager & Arbitrator 4.5 trial for SAN network. There is a problem with th...

We wanted to try iSCSI to exchange data btw several PCs and our server. First I wanted to test it in a small office like setting on a single PC. So on a host Win7 PC I setup a VMWare Workstation 7, added a Win7 64bit Virtual Machine to it, connected the VM to a vmdk drive with Win7 guest system on i...