Configuring an iSCSI Storage Array With COMSTAR (Task Map)
You can set up and configure a COMSTAR Internet SCSI (iSCSI) target and make it available over the network. The iSCSI capability can work over a normal Internet connection (such as Ethernet) using the standard iSCSI protocol. The iSCSI protocol also provides naming and discovery services, authentication services using CHAP and RADIUS, and centralized management through iSNS.
If the system has at least one InfiniBand Host Channel Adapter (HCA) and Infiniband (IB) connectivity exists between the initiator and the target, the iSCSI connection will use iSCSI Extensions for RDMA (iSER) for enhanced data throughput. iSER used with an InfiniBand HCA provides high bandwidth, low CPU utilization, and a single network connection that multiple protocols can share.
The iSER target and initiator both use a component called iSCSI Data Mover to provide iSCSI connection services. Use of iSER is automatic whenever both the initiator and target are configured to use IP addresses that correspond to IB-capable devices.
Ensure that your system meets the necessary prerequisites before you begin.
| Task | Description | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Perform basic setup steps listed in the Getting Started with COMSTAR section. | Enable the STMF service, create SCSI logical units, and make the logical units available. |
How to Enable the STMF Service How to Create SCSI Logical Units How to Make SCSI Logical Units Available |
| 2. (Optional) Configure the Host Channel Adapter (HCA) for iSER. | Configure the IP address for the InfiBand HCA. | How to Configure an IB HCA for iSER |
| 3. Configure ports. | Configure ports for iSCSI targets. | How to Configure iSCSI Target Ports |
| 4. Configure the iSCSI target. | Make a logical unit available to hosts on an iSCSI network. | How to Configure an iSCSI Target for Discovery |
| 5. Make a logical unit available. | Make a logical unit available to all hosts or specific hosts for iSCSI or iSER configurations. | How to Make Logical Units Available for iSCSI and iSER |
| 6. Configure an initiator system to access target storage. | Configure an iSCSI initiator. | How to Configure an iSCSI Initiator |
| 7. (Optional) Set up a Target Portal Group. | A list of IP addresses that an iSCSI target listens to. | How to Create a Target Portal Group |
| 8. (Optional) Set up target authentication. | Set up CHAP or RADIUS authentication for a target. | How to Set Up Target Authentication |
| 9. (Optional) Set up initiator authentication. | Set up CHAP or RADIUS authentication for an initiator. | How to Set Up Initiator Authentication |
After you set up an iSCSI configuration, you can monitor the targets and initiators. For more information, see How to Monitor an iSCSI Configuration. For information about how to remove a discovered target, see How to Remove Discovered iSCSI Targets.
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