This read-only setting, defaulting to external(1), describes the source of an iSCSI connection, distinguishing external(1) initiators outside the EqualLogic array group from internal connection types between group members: syncrepl(2) for synchronous replication, xcopy(3) for an XCOPY-based data transfer, or replica(4) for replication traffic. Admins use it to distinguish normal host-initiated iSCSI sessions from the array's own internal replication and copy traffic when reviewing the session table. Seeing syncrepl(2) on a session tells an admin that connection is internal array-to-array replication traffic, not a client host accessing storage.