Virtual Machine use SAN iSCSI LUN for storage

[andersom]

We have our host server connected to an EMC SAN using iSCSI and we have serveral VM's running from the storage on the SAN. Is it possible to point a virtual machine to a iSCSI LUN on the SAN to use as storage for the VM? If so, how do you do it?

[mittim12]

For a windows VM you could install and setup the Microsoft iSCSI initiator inside the VM. You could then provision storage from the EMC side and zone it for this VM and only this VM. Should be able to utilize for storage inside a VM if you wanted. Just don't forget to only give this VM access to the LUN you created for it. Wouldn't want to accidently give your microsoft OS access to your VMFS datastores.

http://www.zdnetasia.com/how-to-install-configure-and-use-microsoft-s-iscsi-initiator-62030894.htm

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[andersom]

How do you do the networking side if the SAN is on a separate network. Can you use the same virtual network that the host server uses to connect to the SAN?

[athlon_crazy]

There must be a security reason why your storage on separate network. If I were you, just present another new LUNs to ESX hosts then, use RDM feature to permit your VMs map to the given LUNs.

vcbMC-1.0.6 Beta

vcbMC-1.0.7 Lite

http://www.no-x.org

[mittim12]

The storage network consist of the vmkernel port so your not going to be able to utilize that to connect the VM. You would need to define a new portgroup under the Virtual Machine network that can connect to iSCSI and add a second NIC to the VM utilizing that port group. I have to agree with athlon_crazy in that it may be easier just to use VMFS or RDM to add secondary storage to the guest VM unless you have a specific reason not to do that.

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