Does Intel offer hardware iSCSI offload?

[PLeem1]

​I found an article (admittedly from 8 years ago) that suggests Intel do not offer hardware iSCSI offload. Does anyone know if this is still the case? I am looking to compare QLogic card FastLinQ 41112 Dual Port 10GbE SFP+ with an Intel equivalent. The card is to be used in a VMware environment.

It's not full offload I am looking for but the card should appear within VMware as a storage adaptor.

[Crisselle_Intel]

Hello PLeem1,

Thank you for posting in Intel Ethernet Communities. 

Please share if you have any model in mind of the intended adapter to be used on your deployment.

Looking forward to your response.

Best regards,

Crisselle C

Intel Customer Support

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[PLeem1]

​Hi Crisselle

Currently investigating the following cards:

X520

X550

X710

XXV710

[Crisselle_Intel]

Hello PLeem1,

Thank you for the prompt reply.

Please allow us to check on your query. Rest assured that we will get back to you within 1-3 business days.

Hoping for your patience. 

Best regards,

Crisselle C

Intel Customer Support

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[AlfredoS_Intel · Accepted solution]

Hi PLeem1,

Thank you for patiently waiting for an update.

The adapters in question( as referenced in datasheets and product brief) support Software iSCSI and not Hardware iSCSI.

Intel requires a software initiator.

You can configure a software-based iSCSI implementation. You can use the standard NICs to connect your host to a remote iSCSI target on the IP network. The software iSCSI adapter that is built into ESXi facilitates this connection by communicating with the physical NICs through the network stack.

Best Regards,

Alfred S

Intel® Customer Support

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[AlfredoS_Intel]

Hi Pleem1,

Please let us know if you have any further inquiries with your concern.

Best regards,

Alfred S.

Intel Customer Support

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[PLeem1]

Thank you for your response Alfred , much appreciated.

That answers my question fully.

​Apologies for slow response, am currently on holiday :-)

Regards,

Pete.

[AlfredoS_Intel]

Hi PLeem1,

Thank you for your update.

We are glad to know that our last post fully addressed your question.

No apologies needed, we totally understand.

Thank you for reaching out to us on our Intel® Communities page.

Happy Holidays!

Best Regards,

Alfred S

Intel® Customer Support

A Contingent Worker at Intel