Free Software StarWind iSCSI Accelerator/Load Balancer Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) based storage systems that work through Ethernet network are still more than useful for SMBs. Free StarWind iSCSI Accelerator/Load Balancer allows leveraging virtualized workloads to increase VM performance. This tool improves CPU resource utilization by balancing iSCSI sessions between all the available server CPU cores. Download White Paper Technical Paper Problem However powerful iSCSI SANs may be, the default Microsoft iSCSI Initiator itself carries specific problems along the way. Increasing the network bandwidth is associated with more sessions, which results in two issues: first, iSCSI protocol lowers performance due to higher latency, and second, Microsoft iSCSI Initiator that would have solved any other problem fails to distribute workload effectively because it treats any CPU as if it had just 2 cores. Nevertheless, performance of modern servers is aimed to infinity and beyond, which goes for the numbers of both cores. They usually have 2 CPU sockets, a lot more than 2 physical cores each. Double the overall number of physical cores and you get the number of logical ones that are available for cluster VMs. Hence, the main problem with the Initiator is that it works with only 2 cores out of many, overwhelming them with sessions. So, the traditional use of iSCSI in Hyper-V environments won't deliver the desired performance. Solution The whole point of StarWind iSCSI Accelerator/Load Balancer - it requires neither extra hardware nor tiresome Microsoft iSCSI Initiator fine-tuning. Think of the Accelerator as a “middleperson”. The solution is implemented as a filter driver between the Initiator and the hardware. Every time an iSCSI session is created, StarWind iSCSI Accelerator assigns it to a free CPU core, thereby correcting the function of Microsoft iSCSI Initiator. StarWind iSCSI Accelerator solves the overload problem, increases Ethernet bandwidth, doesn't require any specialized adapters, available on any version of Windows server, and, last but not least, is simple in use and completely free. Conclusion StarWind iSCSI Accelerator/Load Balancer is a free solution from StarWind, designed to balance iSCSI among multiple CPU cores that works right after deployment in conjunction with Microsoft iSCSI Initiator and iSCSI SAN, and provides your VMs with as many IOPS as necessary. Speed StarWind iSCSI Accelerator takes Hyper-V VMs and Windows Server applications performance to an entirely new level by properly distributing iSCSI workloads among all the available CPU cores. No more “single CPU core bottleneck” — benefit from maximized IOPS and CPU utilization. Simplicity Save the time used for trying to fine-tune Microsoft iSCSI Initiator performance. StarWind iSCSI Accelerator is deployed into any Windows system in less than a minute. Free StarWind iSCSI Accelerator is free of charge. No hidden costs or payments. No additional hardware or software required. Just because VMs and applications running on the Windows Server platform deserve proper performance. StarWind included as Niche Player for the third consecutive time in 2020 Magic Quadrant for HCI Get Report StarWind Hyperconverged Infrastructure Software 4.8 278 VERIFIED REVIEWS 96% RECOMMENDED reviewed April 5, 2021 “StarWind Has Worked Extremely Well For Us For Over 7 Years.” INDUSTRY: FINANCE COMPANY SIZE: 3B – 10B USD READ MORE reviewed Sep 13, 2021 StarWind is an excellent Virtual SAN solution for Vmware INDUSTRY: CONSTRUCTION COMPANY SIZE: <50M USD READ MORE reviewed June 12, 2021 Great Software. Support and help is very good. INDUSTRY: MANUFACTURING COMPANY SIZE: 50M - 250M USD READ MORE We were able to build 2-node storage clusters based on virtualization in 19 hypermarkets without any problems and with high cost-efficiency. Vass Sandor, IT Infrastructure Leader Read More Fill out the form below to download the free product: StarWind iSCSI Accelerator United States You agree that StarWind Software Inc. may use the above information to accommodate your requests, keep in touch with you, and offer a better customer experience. You can withdraw your consent at any time by reaching us at dataprotection@starwind.com. For more information on how we process your personal data, please read our Privacy Policy. 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