iSCSI iqn name, OK to change?

[rickardnobel]

When using the software iSCSI initator on ESX/ESXi it creates a default IQN name, something like iqn.1998-02.com.vvmware:esx1-03943984934,

where the part after the : seems to be the hostname and some random characters.

My question is, would it be ok the change this and for example clean up everything after the hostname to make it more readable? Perhaps it should be used for some simple "access control" at the iSCSI target.

Is there any risks with changing?

[Mauro Bonder]

this IQN are created with this format by default with hostname. You cannot change. Check more information http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1004808

[rickardnobel]

MauroBonder wrote:

this IQN are created with this format by default with hostname. You cannot change.

That seems to be about the target IQN name, which naturally should not be changed from the hosts (initators) perspective.

[weinstein5]

I believe you can change the iqn name - but remember it needs to be unique and should follow the IQN syntax - iqn.'datre'.'domain'.'unique identifier' - why not keep the default iqn?

[rickardnobel]

David Weinstein wrote:

I believe you can change the iqn name - but remember it needs to be unique and should follow the IQN syntax - iqn.'datre'.'domain'.'unique identifier' - why not keep the default iqn?

The iqn can be changed, after enabling the software iSCSI client you can go back into it and change. I would just like to "clean up" the random stuff after the ESXi hostname, to make it more simple to see and for the SAN administrator to work with.

So besides the risk of by mistake setting the same iqn name on two hosts, will there be any other disadvantages?

[weinstein5]

as long as they are unique you will be fine - remember the IQN (iSCSI Qualified Named) is the iSCSI FQDN -