how to configure iscsi on exsi to connect NAS

[april14507]

I need to configure iscsi on exsi to connect to NAS for the purpose of being able to use the storage space on NAS. I found this document DiskStation Manager - Knowledge Base | Synology Inc.

when you set up virtual network on esxi for iSCSI connection, you create VMkernel. Does the NIC have to have Ethernet cable plugging into the switch from the esxi machine so that it gets different ip address, right? Excuse me for my silly question because this is the first time I try to set up iscsi connection between esxi and NAS. The NAS storage is synology's disk station.

Maybe this is a wrong guide. To my knowledge, All I should do is to create software iSCSI adapter and configure to connect to the target which should be the NAS. Am I right?

Please advise! thank you very much!!!!

[SupreetK]

Detailed steps in the link - How to configure ESXi 6.5 for iSCSI Shared Storage – 4sysops ​

Cheers,

Supreet

[april14507]

One more question:

Where should the network cable connects to and from? Is it from esxi host machine to the LAN switch or from esxi host machine directly to the Synology NAS?

Thank you very much for all the great helps!!!

[dbalcaraz]

Well...NAS usually is connected to a switch and in the switch you have connected the ESXi Host, I don't how do you connect a NAS directly to a ESXi host...maybe with USB?

Also, we didn't mention anything about VLANs but, usually the switch should have different VLANs to separate traffic.

[april14507]

right now, I have the Synology NAS directly connecting to LAN switch where esxi hosts plugged in as well. I am going to create vSwitch which will direct the traffic between esxi and the NAS. So do I need to plug the network from exsi to somewhere to get the adapter active and ip. right?

Also after I create vSwitch on esxi host and add vkernel adapter, I can give whatever the ip and subnet to the adapter I want. They do not need to be the same as the main network but need to be the same subnet as the NAS. Am I right?

[dbalcaraz]

Hi,

Let's see:

1. Yes, when you plug in the NIC from ESXi host to the switch it should appear as active.

2. If you have a switch between the host and the NAS that is absolutely normal but you should separate the traffic on VLANs if you don't want to mix your traffic. If you don't care about traffic and it's just for a test, well you could do it without VLANs...

Normally, you allow all VLANs you will use on ESXi's switch ports and then on the vSwitch you tag the VLANs (a.k.a. VST).

[april14507]

Where should I create vlan? On LAN switch or esxi vSwitch?

Forgive me for my silly questions. I am still very new to this whole setup.

[dbalcaraz]

Hi,

Don't worry about the questions, but there is content that you need to know before asking more advanced concepts.

1. VLANs are created in the switch, on the vSwitch you select which VLANs are "tagged".

You should read some information about it: https://www.automation.com/library/articles-white-papers/industrial-ethernet/introduction-to-virtual-lans

[april14507]

How to tag vlan? When I tried to tag vlan, it only gives me either vlan 0 or vlan all4095.

Please advise!

Thank you,

[dbalcaraz]

Yes, you are right.

You should create an iSCSI software adapter and then add the target address (NAS) with port 3260 (default port).

[MikeStoica]

On the port group at the VLAN ID you just write your  VLAN number.

[dbalcaraz]

As MikeStoica says, you just write the VLAN in the portgroup you want to tag.