Abstract: A method and system is disclosed to maintain data consistency over an internet small computer system interface (iSCSI) network, for disaster recovery and remote data replication purposes. Data consistency and replication is maintained between primary and secondary sites geographically distant from each other. According to the method, a primary journal volume logs all changes (data writes) made to a primary volume, transmits the changes based on a preconfigured policy to a secondary journal volume, and thereafter merges the changes stored in the secondary journal volume with a secondary volume. Changes in the journal volumes are ordered in point-in-time (PiT) frames and transmitted using a vendor specific SCSI command utilizing the iSCSI protocol.

Abstract: A virtualization switch and method for executing at least SCSI commands and performing virtualization in a in a Storage Area Network. The virtualization switch optimizes the data received from the network to fit the capacity of the target storage devices, thus providing higher throughput and low latency. The virtualization is preformed within the data path between the hosts and the storage devices and without the assistance of devices, such as a management stations or agents installed in the hosts.