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Separate network for iSCSI

Hi Experts,

Have a question regarding setting up a iSCSI connection to a SAN from a Windows 2003/2008 server using MS iSCSI. We currently have it setup so that from the server one NIC connects to the main VLAN - 192.168.2.X and the other NIC connects to a SAN VLAN - 192.168.12.X

The SAN is connected to the same switch to which these NICs terminate. Is this the right way to set up the iSCSI connection or is there a better way? We don't notice too many issues on the network but if there were a better way to do it then we can try. We do have spare Cisco Catalyst 3560 lying around but we can't purchase a dedicated iSCSI HBA. Do we need to connect the SAN on a completely different switch with only NICs from the servers attached to it? If so how would routing work? We are not looking into redundancy currently but to see if speeds can be increased on the SAN. TIA

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jimmyray7

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abhijitm00

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Thanks for getting back Jimmy but how would you physically connect the cables. I would assume you would have a cable from the SAN (192.168.12.5) going to the Cisco switch. Another cable from the server's second NIC (192.168.12.6) going into it as well. How would they talk though. What would you put under the gateway for the server NIC? Also what configuration would need to go onto the switch? Please correct me if my assumptions are wrong. We are using Cisco Catalyst 3560G switches

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jimmyray7

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abhijitm00

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Thanks Jimmy. So I would disconnect my SAN NIC from my server and plug into the new switch put in the IP and subnet and then another NIC from the SAN with IP and subnet connecting to this new switch. How would the new switch need to be configured in terms of IP and VLAN? Would I set it up with an IP address and subnet as well, would I need to add VLAN info or anything else you can think of? Again the servers would be using the MS iSCSI software initiator

I appreciate you looking up the cisco iscsi config.

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John Myers

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