How to Use iSCSI Targets on VMware ESXi With MPIO

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How to use iSCSI Target on VMware ESXi with Multipath I/O

Note:

1. Please make sure that an iSCSI Target has been created on the Thecus NAS and is ready for

use. There is an article How to Create iSCSI Target on Thecus NAS

(http://esupport.thecus.com/support/index.php?_m=downloads&_a=viewdownload&downloadit

emid=310) for reference.

2. It's recommended to use MPIO with separate networks (or different subnets) with multiple

network cards to be installed on the iSCSI Initiator and Target. Usage of MPIO is recommended

for experienced network administrators only.

3. On the iSCSI Initiator, its best to reserve network cards for storage duties only, and they can not

be used for any other purpose.

Preparing The ESXi Hypervisor for multiple NIC Usage

This section is setting up the ESXi Hypervisor to use two NICs for MPIO.

1. Open the vSphere Client and proceed to Configuration, Networking and click Add Networking.

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2. Select VMKernel and click Next.

3. Create a new virtual network switch and select a NIC located on another subnet.

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4. Enter a new name for this new network and click Next.

5. Enter IP Address and Subnet address for this secondary NIC and click Next.

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6. Finally confirmation setting and click Finish.

7. The second network has been add to this Hypervisor.

8. If have additional NIC, please repeat this process for each additional network to be added to

the Hypervisor.

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Mounting the iSCSI Target on the ESXi Hypervisor

This section is mounting iSCSI Targets on the Thecus NAS to the ESXi Hypervisor.

1. On the Configuration tab, click Storage Adapters, select the iSCSI Software Adapter and click

Properties.

2. The iSCSI Initiator is disabled, click Configure to configure the settings of the iSCSI Initiator.

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3. Enable the iSCSI Initiator.

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4. Once the iSCSI Initiator is enabled, click on Dynamic Discovery.

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5. Enter the primary IP Address of the Thecus NAS.

6. If mounting for MPIO, enter the secondary IP address of the Thecus NAS, located within the

secondary subnet of the ESXi Hypervisor.

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7. Rescan the Host Bus Adapter, select Yes.

8. The iSCSI Initiator has detected the target on the Thecus NAS. Right click on the target and

select Manage Paths.

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9. Select Round Robin (VMWare) and click Close.

Within the Path Management, the ESXi Hypervisor is using two paths (via two subnet) to mount

the same iSCSI Target.

Formatting the iSCSI Target for usage within the ESXi Hypervisor

This section is formatting the iSCSI Target for usage within ESXi Hypervisor.

1. On the Configuration tab, click Storage and select Add Storage.

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2. Select Disk/LUN and click Next.

3. Find the iSCSI Target and click Next.

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4. Review the current disk layout and click Next.

5. Enter a new datastore name for this new storage and click Next.

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6. Select a block size to use for this new storage and click Next.

Default settings is recommended.

7. Finally confirmation setting and click Finish.

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8. The new datastore has been added.

9. It is ready for use.

How to Use iSCSI Targets on VMware ESXi With MPIO

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