What does iSCSI provide access to?

iSCSI, which stands for Internet Small Computer System Interface, provides block-level access to storage devices over a TCP/IP network. This technology allows SCSI commands to be sent over the Internet Protocol (IP) networks, enabling the linking of storage devices and servers that may be geographically dispersed. By using iSCSI, organizations can leverage existing IP infrastructure to create a storage area network (SAN), which is highly flexible and scalable.

The emphasis on block-level access is crucial because it means that iSCSI treats storage devices as though they were directly connected to a server, enabling direct read and write commands at the block level, rather than as files or higher-level abstractions. This capability is particularly beneficial for applications that require high performance and low latency access to storage, such as databases and virtual machine disk files.

The other options, while related to data access and networks, do not accurately describe the primary function and purpose of iSCSI. For instance, options discussing file-level sharing or high-speed transfers do not capture the specific nature of iSCSI's operation in relation to block storage and its protocol choice.