Setting up iSCSI for backup storage
Alike stores its archived data in standard NTFS volumes. This allows for flexibility in handling your storage, since you may place your archive where you have sufficient storage capacity. This may be local, a CIFS share, or iSCSI. If you are going to be using the network for Alike's data storage, we recommend iSCSI over CIFS because it is a faster and more efficient protocol.
Configuring iSCSI is different for different operating systems and SAN/NAS vendors. If you wish to use iSCSI, you must download and install an iSCSI initiator. One is available from Microsoft for Windows 2003 servers. Note that Server 2008 and later, the iSCSI Initiator comes as part of the OS. You SAN vendor may have specialized storage software, so please consult your storage vendor's documentation if you are unsure.
Please consult your storage vendor for specific instructions, as they may vary from the high-level steps listed below.
1) Add the Target using the Initiator and select the appropriate LUN.
2) Mount it as Drive using Windows Explorer.
3) I the Alike UI, click Settings-->Storage. Click on the input box for "Select Data storage directory". Choose the drive you mapped, and the directory of your choice.
4) Optionally, you may also use the same iSCSI volume for your temporary storage (Settings->Advanced->Temp Storage). Please note using the same iSCSI volume for both data storage and temporary space may lead to slower processing times.
