Dell PowerVault NX3200 - Manual (Page 7)

1
Overview
Windows Storage Server 2012 R2 is an advanced storage and file-serving solution that provides high-level
performance and reliability. Dell Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems running Windows Storage
Server 2012 R2 operating system are extremely cost effective and help in providing shared storage
solutions with storage capabilities.
Following are the new features and functionalities:
• Data Deduplication — works at the volume level and stores more data in less physical space. Data
Deduplication identifies duplicate data-chunks and maintains a single copy of each chunk. Redundant
copies of data chunk are replaced by a reference to a single copy of the chunk.
• Storage Spaces — provides storage management functionality, including storage pools.
• File Server Resource Manager (FSRM) and File Server Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) Agent
Service — enables you to create volume shadow copies of applications that store data files on the file
server.
• Enhanced storage protocols:
– Server Message Block 3.0 (SMB) — provides file services for network shares, improved SMB
bandwidth limits management, and improved rebalancing of Scale-Out file server.
– Network File System (NFSv4) — shares files with UNIX systems that use NFS protocol.
– iSCSI Software Target — provides storage over TCP/IP network, enhanced virtual disk storage
capacity, and converts Windows server into a storage device which provides shared block storage.
• Resilient File System (ReFS) — improves data integrity, availability, and scalability.
NOTE: Currently, Windows Storage Server 2012 R2, Windows Storage Server 2012 and Windows
Server 2008 R2 operating systems are available.
iSCSI Deployment
In Windows Storage Server 2012 R2, the iSCSI Software Target is integrated with the Server Manager . To
access iSCSI, in Server Manager, double-click File and Storage Services.
iSCSI software target feature offers:
• Diskless network boot capabilities
• Continuous availability configurations
• Cost savings on operating system storage
• Controlled operating system images that are more secure and straight forward to manage
• Fast recovery
• Data corruption protection
• Heterogeneous storage to support non-Windows iSCSI initiators
• Converts a system running Windows Server into a network-accessible block storage device
7