Adding iSCSI Storage to vSphere: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

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iSCSI storage is a popular choice for virtual infrastructure due to its low cost and high performance. In this article, we will guide you through the process of adding iSCSI storage to your vSphere environment. We will cover the necessary steps to configure your VMware ESXi hosts to connect to an iSCSI target and present the storage as a datastore.

Step 1: Configuring the iSCSI Target

The first step is to configure the iSCSI target on your storage device. This will typically involve setting up the iSCSI initiator and configuring the target IP addresses. Note that the exact steps may vary depending on your storage vendor and device model.

Step 2: Creating a vSwitch for iSCSI

Once you have configured the iSCSI target, you will need to create a vSwitch for iSCSI. This is a special type of virtual switch that allows your ESXi hosts to connect to the iSCSI target. To create a vSwitch for iSCSI:

* Go to the vSphere client and select the host you want to configure.

* Click on the “Configure” button and select “Virtual Switches” from the drop-down menu.

* Select “Add Networking” and choose “VMKernel” as the network type.

* Follow the prompts to complete the creation of the vSwitch.

Step 3: Binding the VMKernel Port to the iSCSI Adaptor

Next, you will need to bind the VMKernel port to the iSCSI adaptor. To do this:

* Go back to the “Configure” menu and select “Storage Adapters” from the drop-down list.

* Select the iSCSI adaptor and click “Edit.”

* In the “Port Binding” section, select the VMKernel port you created earlier and click “Bind.”

Step 4: Presenting the Storage as a Datastore

Once the vSwitch and iSCSI adaptor are configured, you can present the storage as a datastore to your ESXi hosts. To do this:

* Go back to the “Configure” menu and select “Datastores” from the drop-down list.

* Click “Add Datastore” and follow the prompts to complete the creation of the datastore.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter any issues during the configuration process, here are some troubleshooting tips:

* Make sure each ESXi host has only one iSCSI port group set to use ONE physical NIC (not the failover priority of the vSwitch).

* Ensure that each iSCSI port group is set to use a different physical NIC.

* Check that each ESXi host has the same procedure carried out on them.

* Make sure you have configured your iSCSI device, presented the storage, and allowed access to it from your ESX hosts.

Conclusion

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Adding iSCSI storage to your vSphere environment is a straightforward process that requires careful planning and execution. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to successfully configure your VMware ESXi hosts to connect to an iSCSI target and present the storage as a datastore. Remember to test the configuration thoroughly before deploying it in a production environment.