Distributed iSCSI and SCSI targets

A computer-readable memory containing a computer program for causing a storage processor to assist in distributing a SCSI or SCSI target by

• establishing a connection with an initiator as part of a session between the initiator, the storage processor and at least one other storage processor, thereby creating an iSCSI queue and setting a receiving window size;
• and
• serving initiator requests within the session while
• (a) adhering to SCSI task queue management rules;
• (b) filling in any gaps in the iSCSI queue;
• and
• (c) handling requests inside and outside the receiving window size.

A method for distributing a SCSI or iSCSI target, the method comprising the steps of:

• establishing a session between an initiator and a plurality of target storage processors;
• on the initiator, maintaining information about the state of the session;
• and
• tracking SCSI commands and responses between the initiator and the plurality of storage processors using the information about the state of the session.

A method for distributing a SCSI or iSCSI target, the method comprising the steps of:

• establishing a session between an initiator and a plurality of target storage processors;
• on the initiator, maintaining information about the state of the session;
• and
• tracking iSCSI requests between the initiator and the plurality of storage processors using the information about the state of the session.

A method for distributing a SCSI or iSCSI target, the method comprising the steps of:

• establishing a session between an initiator and a plurality of ingress target storage processors;
• associating a respective set of blocks of storage with each of a plurality of egress target storage processors;
• and
• associating each of the plurality of egress target storage processors with at least one of the plurality of ingress target storage processors.

A method for distributing multiple SCSI or iSCSI targets, the method comprising the steps of:

• distributing a first SCSI or iSCSI target across a first plurality of target storage processors;
• and
• distributing a second SCSI or iSCSI target across a second plurality of target storage processors,
• wherein the first and second pluralities of storage processors overlap.