iSCSI alias

[Pootie_Tang]

I'm trying to configure the iSCSI initiator in my ESXi free version. After enabling the initiator, the "iSCSI Alias" parameter is blank and greyed out after selecting the Configure button in the client. I can't seem to figure out how to populate the field. Any help??!!

Thanks

[William Lam]

What's the syntax that you provided with esxcfg-iscsi/vicfg-iscsi and --alias ? Make sure it's in conjunction with --iscsiname as well.

Take a look at the vCLI documents on Page 74 for an example: http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_vcli.pdf and you can find more details about esxcfg-iscsi in this document including others.

=========================================================================

William Lam

VMware vExpert 2009

VMware ESX/ESXi scripts and resources at:

VMware Code Central - Scripts/Sample code for Developers and Administrators

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

[Andy_Banta]

This is a known bug in the GUI for ESXi 4.0. The VMware bug number for it is 374491.

You can set and display the iSCSI Alias using the commands that lamw recommends.

Andy

[Pootie_Tang]

Thanks for the replies lamw, Andy,

Just found VMware-vSphere-CLI-4.0.0-161974.exe. Can't say they make it easy to find! Was using a previous version. Will give the command(s) a try.

Thanks again,

Chris

[Pootie_Tang]

After installing the vSphere RCLI, I'm getting the results below from the command. What gives?

lamw, what do you mean by "Make sure it's in conjunction with --iscsiname as well."? Can you give an example? I'm running the RCLI from an XP box.

D:\Program Files\VMware\VMware vSphere CLI\bin>vicfg-iscsi.pl -server myserver -I -a myserver.vmhba33 vmhba33

adapter_name is required.

Properties of the adapter are below:

=========PHBA Properties for Adapter vmhba33=========

VENDOR : VMware

MODEL : iSCSI Software Adapter

DESCRIPTION : VMware Software Initiator

SERIAL NUMBER :

=========Node Properties for Adapter vmhba33=========

NODE NAME VALID : 1

NODE NAME : iqn.1998-01.com.vmware:myserver-204c9470

NODE ALIAS VALID : 1

NODE ALIAS :

NODE NAME AND ALIAS SETTABLE:

[William Lam]

If you take a look at the options you'll see the following:

[vi-admin@scofield ~]$ vicfg-iscsi --help

Synopsis: /usr/bin/vicfg-iscsi OPTIONS [<vmhba>]


Command-specific options:
   --adapter
    -H

         List iSCSI adapter(s).

   --add
    -a

         Add operation.  Used with --discovery or --static option.

   --alias
    -k

         iSCSI initiator alias name.  Used with --iscsiname option.

From the output of help, it looks like you need to specify --iscsiname if you're using --alias option, I have not extensively used the new esxcfg-iscsi/vicfg-iscsi but perhaps it may have a bug as one of the comments stated.

=========================================================================

William Lam

VMware vExpert 2009

VMware ESX/ESXi scripts and resources at:

VMware Code Central - Scripts/Sample code for Developers and Administrators

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

[Pootie_Tang]

I assume you are referring to the syntax that I had used ( -I followed by -a). Below is the syntax from the vSphere rcli manual which is the same:

Example

vicfg-iscsi.pl <conn_options> -I -a acme-pdp242.dept.comp.com vmhba42

My command:

vicfg-iscsi.pl -server myserver -I -a myserver.vmhba33 vmhba33

I would have to agree that it appears to be a bug.

[Pootie_Tang]

Upon comparing the user guide with the help from the command, it appears that -k (as opposed to -a) may be whats needed with -I when modifying the alias. From the commands' help:

--alias

-k

iSCSI initiator alias name. Used with --iscsiname option.

When used (vicfg-iscsi.pl -server myserver -I -k myserver.vmhba33 vmhba33), the command returns:

Set adapter properties failed : fault.RestrictedVersion.summary

which I assume is referring to my ESXi v4 free license. Now if I could only figure out why the alias field is greyed when iSCSI is initially enabled or when I select "configure"...what a pain. Or is iSCSI a licensed only feature?

[William Lam]

fault.RestrictedVersion.summary

This is definitely regarding the free version of ESXi and it only has read only access, more details here: http://vmetc.com/2009/03/31/esxi-u4-ends-free-version-read-and-write-access-from-the-rcli/

I'm not sure why it might be grayed out, this is not a licensing issue. Have you tried to disable and re-enable to see if it allows you to configure the alias?

=========================================================================

William Lam

VMware vExpert 2009

VMware ESX/ESXi scripts and resources at:

VMware Code Central - Scripts/Sample code for Developers and Administrators

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

[Pootie_Tang]

Yes Larry,

tried disabling and re-enabling as well as re-installing. No luck.

Chris

[Andy_Banta]

Upon comparing the user guide with the help from the command, it appears that -k (as opposed to -a) may be whats needed with -I when modifying the alias.

Actually, you want the -k -a options.

vicfg-iscsi.pl -server myserver -k vmhba33

shows the current alias.

vicfg-iscsi.pl -server myserver -k -a myserver.vmhba33 vmhba33

sets the alias.

The -a option is for "add"

The -k option is for "alias" (derived from "AKA" since both -a and -A were taken).

Let us know if this takes care of it.

Andy

[Pootie_Tang]

Sorry Andy, -k -a options returned just the help.

bin>vicfg-iscsi.pl -server myserver -k -a myserver.vmhba33 vmhba33

Enter username: username

Enter password:

Synopsis: D:\Program Files\VMware\VMware vSphere CLI\bin\vicfg-iscsi.pl OPTIONS

<help>

[kunhuang]

vicfg-iscsi -Q -a new_alias_name vmhba??

or

vicfg-iscsi --iscsiname --alias new_alias_name vmhba??

should be on vcli installation and reference guide P110.

[kunhuang]

sorry the

"vicfg-iscsi -Q -a new_alias_name vmhba??"

should be

vicfg-iscsi -I -k new_alias_name vmhba??

the long format is same

vicfg-iscsi --iscsiname --alias new_alias_name vmhba??

- Kun

[Pootie_Tang]

Sorry Kun,

the combination returns "Set adapter properties failed : fault.RestrictedVersion.summary". It seems the setting of the name will have to done through the GUI, currently greyed out.

[William Lam]

Yep, it looks like you're running off of the free version of ESXi 4.0 and you'll be restricted to read operations only, take a look here http://vmetc.com/2009/03/31/esxi-u4-ends-free-version-read-and-write-access-from-the-rcli/ for more details

=========================================================================

William Lam

VMware vExpert 2009

VMware ESX/ESXi scripts and resources at:

VMware Code Central - Scripts/Sample code for Developers and Administrators

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

[Pootie_Tang]

Thanks William,

I was afraid of that. Unless I figure out what's up with the greyed out iSCSI Alias field in the GUI, I guess I'm SOL!

thanks again,

Chris

[kunhuang]

I think the grey out UI is a known bug in the current release. YOu will have to wait for update or next release.

btw, if one upgrade from esx3i to esx4i, the alias should be preserved as esx3i configuration.

Cheers,

- Kun

[robert_williams]

I was having the same problems with esxi 4.0 tried vicfg-iscsi -server servername -I -a aliasname vmhba and this failed

until I tried

vicfg-iscsi -server servername -I --alias aliasname vmhba

and that worked even though the docs have -a and --alias the same.