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MaxNAS Owner’s Manual
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4. Using iSCSI
iSCSI allows two devices to negotiate and then exchange SCSI commands using IP networks.
iSCSI takes a popular high-performance local storage bus and emulates it over wide-area
networks, creating a storage area network (SAN). Unlike some SAN protocols, iSCSI requires no
dedicated cabling; it can be run over existing switching and IP infrastructure. As a result, iSCSI
is often seen as a low-cost alternative to Fibre Channel which requires dedicated infrastructure.
A Note about iSCSI performance
iSCSI performance is completely dependent on the Ethernet hardware (HBAs, switches, routers, and cabling at every hop
between the MaxNAS R8 and the initiator) network load, system load, and initiator computing power and load. For optimal results,
use a dedicated network for iSCSI with jumbo frames enabled, low latency switches with jumbo frames and 802.3ad support, dual
TCP Offload Engine NICs, and qualified gigabit Ethernet cabling throughout. Finally, iSCSI performance can be improved through
separation of iSCSI traffic and ordinary Ethernet user traffic. Mixing traffic not only impairs SAN performance, but also creates
a potential security risk since storage data is accessible on the user LAN. The most common means of separation is creating a
new LAN segment physically separate from your LAN and keeping that segment isolated from other regular Ethernet segments.
Alternatively, create a virtual LAN (VLAN) on your switch, limiting iSCSI traffic to the virtual LAN and keeping regular traffic out.
Consult your network administrator for more information on best practices for your environment.
SIMULTANEOUS iSCSI VOLUME MAPPING ON MULTIPLE HOSTS
The MaxNAS R8 can accept multiple host initiators simultaneously for clustering and SAN environments. Never attempt to
mount the same volume on both channels without proper clustering software.
Mounting the same volume on both channels without proper software can result in data corruption or loss!
!
4.1 iSCSI on Microsoft Windows 2000 and newer
4.1.1 (Windows 2000/XP) Download and install the iSCSI Initiator from the Microsoft iSCSI
technology site at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technologies/storage/iscsi/
default.mspx
4.1.2 (All Versions) Start the iSCSI Initiator by double-clicking its icon on the desktop
or start menu. The iSCSI Initiator properties window will appear.
4.1.3 Select the Discovery tab. Under Target Portals, click Add. Enter the IP
address or the netbios name of the MaxNAS
R8 Click
OK
.
4.1.4 On the iSCSI Initiator Properties
window, select the Targets tab. With the
iSCSI target highlighted, click
Log On
. The
Log On to Target dialogue will appear.
To enable a persistent connection, check
the “Automatically restore this connection”
checkbox. If you have not enabled CHAP
authentication on the MaxNAS R8 click
OK
. If you have enabled CHAP, click
Advanced
.
Under Advanced Settings check the CHAP
login information checkbox and enter your
4-Connecting Users