VMware vSphere

 View Only

  • 1.  Can I share the same iSCSI target with multiple hosts?

    Posted May 28, 2013 05:01 PM

    I have an iSCSI target LUN that shows up when I view the storage for one ESXi host, but when I view the storage for the other host it does not display. I have added the appropriate networking and iSCSI software adapter to the second host, performed a dynamic scan and it sees the same iSCSI target, however when I go to "add storage" there are no LUNs displayed.

    I am obviously missing something, I just can't figure out what it is.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated!



  • 2.  RE: Can I share the same iSCSI target with multiple hosts?

    Posted May 28, 2013 05:15 PM

    Presenting a LUN to multiple host is what shared storage is meant for. If the iSCSI target is shown, check whether the LUN is presented properly to the host (on the storage system).

    André



  • 3.  RE: Can I share the same iSCSI target with multiple hosts?

    Posted May 28, 2013 05:16 PM

    Thanks!

    How do I set up shared storage?



  • 4.  RE: Can I share the same iSCSI target with multiple hosts?

    Posted May 28, 2013 05:19 PM

    It will depend on what share storage system you are using -



  • 5.  RE: Can I share the same iSCSI target with multiple hosts?

    Posted May 28, 2013 05:21 PM

    Hi,

    I am not sure where to begin. How can I determine which shared storage system I am using?



  • 6.  RE: Can I share the same iSCSI target with multiple hosts?

    Posted May 28, 2013 05:26 PM

    How can I determine which shared storage system I am using?

    How many do you have? The storage system is the target on which you have the LUN.

    André



  • 7.  RE: Can I share the same iSCSI target with multiple hosts?

    Posted May 28, 2013 07:57 PM

    Well, yes, I know which storage system I am using. What I don't know is how to make it shared in VMware. In other words, I have a LUN that I presented from our Dell Compellent iSCSI to one of our hosts. I want to be able to present that LUN to both hosts.



  • 8.  RE: Can I share the same iSCSI target with multiple hosts?

    Posted May 28, 2013 08:15 PM

    I'm not familiar with Dell storage systems. However, usually you need to configure the ESXi host on the storage system (either using the ESXi host's iSCSI IQN or IP address, depending on the storage system) and then present the LUN to this host object.

    In case the hosts do not run in a cluster - i.e. managed by vCenter Server - it's your responsibility to ensure they don't access the same VMs simultaneously!

    André



  • 9.  RE: Can I share the same iSCSI target with multiple hosts?
    Best Answer

    Posted May 28, 2013 08:27 PM

    Storage Area Networks - both FC and iSCSI  - do not automatically show LUNs to all hosts that connect to them. This also called masking and prevents accidental access of LUN by host that is not authorized to access that LUN. You have to configure the storage system granting access to the LUN - once you do this for the other hosts it will show up in the list and you will be able to access the LUN from all hosts.

    To prevent trampling the ESXi places a lock on the VMDK so that a subsequent host will not be able to power up the VM and write to that virtuak disj