Configuring the cluster for iSCSI

You need to complete several tasks to configure the cluster to work with iSCSI-attached hosts.

Before completing any iSCSI-configuration tasks on the cluster, it is important that you complete all the necessary iSCSI-related configuration on the host machine. Because the SAN Volume Controller supports a variety of host machines, consult the documentation for specific instructions and requirements for a particular host. For a list of supported hosts, see the Support for SAN Volume Controller (2145) Web site:

Support for SAN Volume Controller (2145) Web site

To configure a cluster for iSCSI, follow these general tasks on the host system:

  1. Select a software-based iSCSI initiator, such as Microsoft® Windows® iSCSI Software Initiator and verify the iSCSI driver installation.
  2. If required, install and configure a multipathing driver for the host system.

In addition, determine a naming convention for iSCSI names such as iSCSI qualified names (IQNs) for your cluster. Hosts use iSCSI names to connect to the SAN Volume Controller node. Each node, for example, has a unique IQN, and the cluster name and node name are used as part of that IQN. Each node has a unique IQN, and the cluster name and node name are used as part of that IQN.

  1. Configuring node Ethernet ports
    You can use the SAN Volume Controller Console to configure node Ethernet ports, which represent iSCSI ports on a SAN Volume Controller node. Select the type of IP connection and enter the appropriate IP configuration.
  2. Configuring partner node Ethernet port
    You can use the SAN Volume Controller Console to set the node Ethernet port addresses for a partner node that is currently offline.
  3. Configuring or modifying an iSCSI alias
    You can use the SAN Volume Controller Console to create or change the iSCSI alias for the selected node. An iSCSI alias is a user-assigned name that identifies the SAN Volume Controller node to the iSCSI-attached host. It is possible to change the iSCSI alias of a node even if the node is offline.
  4. Configuring the iSNS server address
    If you are using iSCSI-attached hosts with the SAN Volume Controller cluster, you can optionally configure the address for the Internet Storage Name Service (iSNS) server for the cluster. Host systems use the iSNS server to manage iSCSI targets and for iSCSI discovery.
  5. Configuring cluster iSCSI authentication
    You can use the SAN Volume Controller Console to configure the Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) to authenticate the SAN Volume Controller cluster to the iSCSI-attached hosts. After the CHAP is set for the cluster, all attached hosts must be configured to authenticate this way. To help in problem determination, this step can be delayed until after the first one or two hosts have been configured and their connectivity has been tested without authentication configured.
Related tasks
Installing the Linux software iSCSI initiator
Installing the Windows software iSCSI initiator
Configuring the AIX iSCSI software initiator
Installing the Solaris iSCSI initiator
Installing the HP-UX iSCSI initiator
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