asked on

Connecting VMWare ESXi 6.0 Hosts to Windows Storage Server 2008 Essentials iSCSI Target

Good Morning, Experts!

I am currently setting up a WD RX4100 storage device as a tertiary nearline backup and recovery device within our environment. Setup of the device itself is completed, but I am running into a snag while trying to setup an iSCSI Target on my VMWare 6.0 Host(s).

While I can run a Dynamic Discovery on my VMWare Hosts, and they can see the iSCSI Target and IQN Name on the RX4100 correctly, I am unable to setup a target for my VMWare Hosts on the RX4100. I cannot install the Microsoft iSCSI Target software on the WD RX4100, because that software is not able to run on the Essentials version of Server 2008. WD has locked down access to the device, so I cannot upgrade the OS to a more robust 2012 R2 server.

I am just trying to find a place to start here. While I can access the iSCSI Initiator Properties on the RX4100, it is not very helpful, as it does not present me with a section to input the IQN Names from my VMWare servers. That, or I am just ignorant of where this input would be done within the iSCSI Initiator properties. :)

Thanks in advance!

Mr Tortu(r)e

Hi,
did you download and read the device guide ?
http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/library/UM/ENG/4779-705094.pdf

on page 10 :

Virtualize WD Sentinel storage using iSCSI Target: WD Sentinel RX4100 offers built-in
iSCSI target functionality integrated within Dashboard to easily manage the setup,
administration and deployment of iSCSI Storage. IT Pro’s and advanced users have the
ability to partition their WD Sentinel RX4100 for both NAS File-based storage as well as
iSCSI-SAN with the iSCSI Target solution powered by StarWind®. This capability enables
the Administrator to create and manage multiple iSCSI targets to meet the specific needs of
their dynamic IT environments.

Also I am not sure you pick the good device to do what you want, when I see that :

RX4100 is easy to install and
provides secure unified storage (NAS and iSCSI SAN), complete data protection for up to 25
computers, and remote file access for your employees and trusted vendors while in the
office or from anywhere.

For up to 25 computers... well, this is a small perf Nas.
And with Intel Atom cpu....

But it may work so you can give it a try.

Woodrax

ASKER

mrtortur:

Thanks for the reply. I did, indeed, download the Device Guide. While it extols the virtues of the Dashboard, and ease of setup (and setting up things like the LUNs and such is simple through the dashboard), it does not outline the iSCSI Targeting through the use of IQN identifiers.

I realize the device is not a high end device (we have Tegile Dual Controller, Multipathed, 10gbps SAN devices for that). This is really just a "convenience" device for nearline backup/restore and simulation launching.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Mr Tortu(r)e

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

Woodrax

ASKER

Helpful information. Thanks.