iSCSI
iSCSI is a storage networking technology that helps computers share and access storage devices over regular computer networks. Think of it like having an external hard drive that can be accessed by multiple computers, but instead of connecting directly to each computer, it connects through the network. It's commonly used in businesses to create cost-effective storage solutions, especially in virtual environments where multiple servers need to share storage resources. This technology is particularly important in data centers and cloud computing environments where efficient storage management is crucial.
Examples in Resumes
Implemented iSCSI storage solutions for virtual server environments
Managed large-scale iSCSI storage networks supporting over 100 virtual machines
Designed and deployed iSCSI SAN infrastructure for disaster recovery
Typical job title: "Storage Engineers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Storage Engineers
Online Communities
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you design a highly available iSCSI storage solution?
Expected Answer: A senior candidate should explain how to create redundant storage paths, implement multipathing, and ensure no single points of failure exist in the storage network. They should mention backup strategies and disaster recovery considerations.
Q: What considerations are important when scaling an iSCSI storage environment?
Expected Answer: The answer should cover network bandwidth planning, storage capacity management, performance monitoring, and how to handle increased demand without disrupting existing services.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you troubleshoot iSCSI connectivity issues?
Expected Answer: They should describe checking network connectivity, verifying configurations, examining logs, and understanding common problems like network congestion or authentication issues.
Q: Explain how you would set up iSCSI storage for a virtualization environment.
Expected Answer: The candidate should discuss basic setup steps, including network configuration, storage allocation, and connecting virtual machines to the storage.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is iSCSI and how is it different from direct-attached storage?
Expected Answer: They should be able to explain that iSCSI allows storage to be shared over a network, unlike direct-attached storage which connects directly to one computer.
Q: What are the basic components of an iSCSI setup?
Expected Answer: Should mention the initiator (client), target (storage device), and network infrastructure, explaining their basic roles in simple terms.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic storage configuration
- Understanding of networking concepts
- Basic troubleshooting
- Virtual machine storage management
Mid (2-5 years)
- Storage performance optimization
- Backup and recovery procedures
- Storage capacity planning
- High availability configuration
Senior (5+ years)
- Enterprise storage architecture
- Disaster recovery planning
- Storage security implementation
- Cross-platform storage solutions
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic networking concepts
- Lack of virtualization experience
- No knowledge of storage redundancy and backup strategies
- Unable to explain basic storage concepts
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