Setting up block-level storage access over a network involves establishing a server-side component that presents storage resources to clients. This process involves defining parameters such as access control, authentication, and the size of the storage volume being made available. For example, a system administrator might allocate a specific portion of a hard drive or a dedicated storage array to be accessed by remote servers. This allows those servers to utilize the storage as if it were directly attached.
This capability offers substantial advantages in terms of flexibility and resource utilization. It enables centralized storage management, facilitates disaster recovery scenarios by allowing quick relocation of storage resources, and reduces the need for physical access to server hardware. Historically, this functionality filled a crucial gap in network storage solutions, providing a standards-based approach for remote block-level access that pre-dates and complements other technologies like Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE). It remains a widely used method for connecting servers to shared storage, particularly in virtualized environments and cloud infrastructures.
