Implement iSCSI on AIX

Article Title: Implement iSCSI on AIX. Linux is a technology channel of the IT lab in China. Includes basic categories such as desktop applications, Linux system management, kernel research, embedded systems, and open source.

Learn how to implement the Internet small computer system interface (iSCSI) on AIX ). This step-by-step process describes how to achieve iSCSI on an AIX host through Cisco MDS across the storage area network (SAN. These procedures also describe some interface optimization parameters.

Introduction

Cost-effective storage solutions do not require any new content. The Internet small computer system interface (iSCSI) is not new, but when we start®When iSCSI is implemented across the JS20 blade center, iSCSI seems to be new content.

This document explains how to implement iSCSI on AIX through the Cisco MDS switch. This section describes all the steps for configuring the host and SAN Switch of a Cisco MDS-type SAN Switch. The information in this article is based on practical experience. We assume that you have mastered the configuration skills of AIX system management and Cisco Storage Area Network (SAN.

The steps in this process are related to the Cisco Fabric Manager configuration, Cisco Device Manager configuration, and AIX host configuration. We also provide the AIX optimization part, which is optional, but we recommend that you do so.

Prerequisites

The process for configuring iSCSI on AIX assumes that the following conditions are met:

• AIX Version 5.2 or later is installed on the server or host node.
• Cabling of all networks and optical fibers has been completed.
• Most importantly, the network configuration has been completed and tested, including the ability to perform Ping tests from the AIX node to the iSCSI IP address.

Basic configurations include: Four JS20 server nodes are connected through the Cisco Catalyst network switch, and the Cisco Catalyst Network Switch is bridge to the storage through the Cisco MDS 9000 SAN Switch. In this application, two IBM DS-4800 have been used as back-end storage.

Cisco Fabric Manager

Users need to have administrator access permissions and knowledge of application partitions to create the required regions for host nodes and backend storage. To enable iSCSI on a Cisco mds san Switch from Cisco Fabric Manager, perform the following operations:

1. On the MDS in the Physical Attributes (lower left) pane, select End Devices> iSCSI.
2. Select the Control tab for all switches in the network, and then select iSCSI enable.
3. Select Apply.

Partition

Partition execution on the Cisco Fabric Manager graphical user interface (GUI) should be performed in the same way as any other device. Once the MDS is set to process the iSCSI interface, the MDS should be considered as any other terminal device.

Cisco Device Manager

Use Device Manager on the Cisco mds san Switch to perform the following steps. You need to have administrator access and knowledge about how to configure the MDS vswitch through the Device Manager GUI. We recommend that you have a general knowledge about SAN (including partitions ).

Perform the following operations on the initial MDS settings:

1. Enable the iSCSI License function on the Cisco mds san Switch.
2. On the MDS, select Feature Control from the Admin tab.
3. Enable iscsi? Vsan-interface-membership.
4. Select Apply.

In this case, the Cisco MDS switch can accept iSCSI commands at any time.

Now, you will set the MDS port and parameters. To configure the GigE interface, perform the following operations:

1. Locate the iSCSI port of the Cisco Catalyst network switch.
2. Right-click the port to be configured and select Configure ....
3. Select the GigE tab from the top of the configuration panel.
4. Enter the port Description in the Description field.
5. Change MTU to 9000. (For better performance, we recommend that you change MTU to 9000, but this setting is optional .)
6. In the IP Address/Mask field, enter the IP Address and subnet for the iSCSI port.

The Cisco Catalyst network switch automatically fills in the subnet mask at the end of the IP address. If the subnet you are using is different from the subnet already assumed by Cisco, you can change it manually.

1. Select none or chap from the iscsiAuthMethod selection box to select the Auth method.
2. Select Apply.

Apply all changes to each tab. The Apply button only saves the changes to the tabs You are currently using. This button does not Apply to other tabs.

To configure the iSCSI interface, perform the following operations:

1. Select the iSCSI tab from the top of the configuration panel.
2. Enter the port Description in the Description field.
3. Select an appropriate virtual storage area network (VSAN) for PortVSAN from the drop-down list, or enter an appropriate VSAN number.
4. Select the Enable box in Initiator Proxy mode.
5. Select Auto for the Assignment option.
6. Select Apply.

To configure the iSCSI_TCP interface, perform the following operations:

1. Select the iSCSI_TCP tab from the top of the configuration panel.
2. Enter the correct value for LocalTCPport.
3. Select Apply.

Perform the following operations on the MDS Initiator/Target settings:

1. Select ISCSI from the IP address drop-down list on the MDS instance ....
2. On the Initiator tab, select Create.
3. In the iSCSI Initiator creation box, set the iSCSI node name, IP address, and VSAN member identity.
4. Select the Persistent box under Port WWN Mapping.
5. Select the Targets tab and then Create.
6. Enter an appropriate Name for the target in the iSCSI Name field.
7. Select All For Initiator Access listing.
8. Select All or select an appropriate interface from the Advertised Interfaces list field.
9. Select Apply.

 

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