The ManageTrends storage management suite discovers storage devices through use of the SNMP protocol. Discovery can take place at a scheduled time, or it can be initiated at the administrator's discretion. Newly discovered devices are listed and maintained in a database, which is displayed in a hierarchical view format. Once discovery is complete, centralized configuration and management of all storage appliances across the network is now possible. The administrator can access any StorTrends device in the network by simply clicking on its name.


ManageTrends uses iSNS (Internet Storage Name Service) protocol to perform zoning, an important aspect of enterprise storage deployment. iSNS facilitates scalable configuration and management of iSCSI storage devices in an IP network by providing a set of services comparable to those available in Fibre Channel networks. The iSNS server coordinates discovery and management responsibilities for each individual storage device.


In storage view, ManageTrends displays the Discovery Domain Sets (DDS), Discovery Domain (DD) and the network entities. The DDS and DD are displayed in a hierarchical format, along with the network entities and portal information. ManageTrends enables the administrator to create multiple zones and map the iSCSI targets to those zones by simply dragging and dropping targets and initiators.