ISCSI Basic Lab

This is a post of an MDS configuration for iSCSI.  I used a Win 7 workstation as a iSCSI initiator.  The target is an MDS 9200 with an IPS module.  There is a FC attached JBOD for storage. Later on I plan to try more of the options.  The goal of this lab was just to see iSCSI work on the MDS.



Always either disable or re-configure your host firewall is you have one before getting started.  I forget this often and my head is sore from hitting the wall.

Step 1 - enable iSCSI and disable authentication

MDS-1(config)# iSCSI enable module 2
MDS-1(config)# iscsi authentication none

Step 2 - Configure IP and bring up the iSCSI interface

MDS-1(config)# interface GigabitEthernet2/1
MDS-1(config)# ip address 172.16.2.2 255.255.255.0
MDS-1(config)# no sh

MDS-1(config)# interface iscsi2/1
MDS-1(config)# no sh

Step 3 - Create the initiator

MDS-1(config)# iscsi initiator ip-address 10.10.209.250
MDS-1(config)# static pWWN system-assign 1
MDS-1(config)# vsan 10

Step 4 - Create the target

MDS-1(config)# iscsi virtual-target name iqn.jbod-1-disk-1-gb-174.iscsi
MDS-1(config)# pWWN 22:00:00:14:c3:1b:a2:ba
MDS-1(config)# advertise interface GigabitEthernet2/1
MDS-1(config)# initiator ip address 10.10.209.250 permit

Step 5 - Configure zoning 

* Use the  command 'show iscsi initiator configured' to find the pWWN

 MDS-1# sh iscsi initiator
iSCSI Node name is 10.10.209.250
    iSCSI Initiator name: iqn.1991-05.com.microsoft:desktop
    iSCSI alias name:
    Configured node (iSCSI)
    Node WWN is 22:02:00:0d:ec:1f:bc:02 (dynamic)
    Member of vsans: 10
    Number of Virtual n_ports: 1
    Virtual Port WWN is 22:01:00:0d:ec:1f:bc:02 (configured)
      Interface iSCSI 2/1, Portal group tag: 0x3080
      VSAN ID 10, FCID 0x0a0101

 zone name ISCSI vsan 10
    member pwwn 22:00:00:14:c3:1b:a2:ba
!               [GB174-1]
       member pwwn 22:01:00:0d:ec:1f:bc:02
zoneset name ISCSI vsan 10
    member ISCSI

zoneset activate name ISCSI vsan 10

Step 6 - Configure Win7 initiator

Type in 'iscsi' in the search programs and files bar.  This should find the initiator program.

Enter the target IP (the GE2/1 - 172.16.2.2) address and click 'quick connect'.  The target should be discovered.

A show 'iscsi initiator' should indicate that the initiator is seen by the MDS

MDS-1# sh iscsi initiator
iSCSI Node name is 10.10.209.250
    iSCSI Initiator name: iqn.1991-05.com.microsoft:desktop
    iSCSI alias name:
    Configured node (iSCSI)
    Node WWN is 22:02:00:0d:ec:1f:bc:02 (dynamic)
    Member of vsans: 10
    Number of Virtual n_ports: 1
    Virtual Port WWN is 22:01:00:0d:ec:1f:bc:02 (configured)
      Interface iSCSI 2/1, Portal group tag: 0x3080
      VSAN ID 10, FCID 0x0a0101

You should also be able to mount and format the drive from Windows Disk Management