Hi amit,

i can provide simple explanation of iSCSI setup,  for extensive one you have to check the guide no alternate i do have for host configuration for different hardware though.

first step

im not sure you have setup the clariion SPA/SPB with IP address for iSCSI connection for doing this right click on the clariion and choose the port management to assign the ip address please have this in seperate network isolated from rest of you I/O traffic once you done you will IQN assign automatically for each iSCSI target .

second step

if you have done the above configuration ,  have cable connect to the same switch to host and  download the iSCSI intiator latest one for Windows Version 2003/2008 and add the SPA and SPB iSCSI ip address to the target and refresh it, thats all you done with it.

third step

if you want to configure MPIO with iSCSI manually add all the iSCSI connection login and setup the preferred failover you required  for the better redundancy use teaming .

Dear pDell,

Thanks for the help.

I have never worked on Ethernet switch. Do we have to do zoning like in SAN switch so that both Target and initiator can see each other. Or we can do it from the Navisphere Server Software installed on the Host.

Also, please advise.Is Solaris 8,9 supported with iSCSI.

I have document fo Solaris 10 connectivity with Clariion CX4 Series though.

Once again, thanks alot for your help

Amit

Thanks for the Update. I really appreacite your time and cooperation. I just want to reteriate your soln.

1. Since its new Storage . i will initialize clariion CX4-240 and while initializing I will configure and assign IP address of the 4 iSCSI ports alongwith SPA & SPB.

2. Connect all the iSCSI port and the management port of SPA & and SPB to Ethernet switch with CAT5/6 cable.

Question : Can all the iSCSI ports and management port be on same subnet ??

3. Since I am using exisiting servers, all NIC card's are already installled, so they already have IP Address assigned to them.

4. Connect all the Storage initiator and target on the Ethernet switch.

Please can you explain your last point  " make sure you have seperate isolated network else you need have VLAN configure if you plan to use the existing switch any to seperate the iSCSI traffic( iscsi use port# 3260 ) if you need to open up firewall "

I am sure I would be using existing network switch and NIC card's. The only thing which I will add is storage Target ports and hopefully initiator and target port can see each other.

5. Once both can see each other. ( I beleive I can use Navispher server utility to accomplish this), create regular storage gr. RAID and complete the connectivity.

Thanks & Regards

Amit

No you cannot use Naviagent its just communication agent for storage to host to pull the host information,  it cannot do anything more.

if you mean navisphere - thats offline software.  rest all same you required to register the host IQN in connectivity status for storage presentation.

You dont need FC switch not require any Zoning .

Layer 2 switch is good enough to connect the SPs iSCSI ethernet port and host ethernet it works if the host intiator and the target IP address pings and make sure you have seperate isolated network else you need have VLAN configure if you plan to use the existing switch any to seperate the iSCSI traffic( iscsi use port# 3260 ) if you need to open up firewall

Yes solaris 8 and 9 doesnt have iSCSI support yet.

" Can all the iSCSI ports and management port be on same subnet ?? "

>yes it must be in same subnet

>correct assign ipaddress to ethernet please have seperate ethernet card to support the iSCSI traffic.

>this is to avoid the bottle neck,  if you are not supporting the network talk to the guy who manage it  he will probably help you.

Dear pDell ,

Thanks for your continued assistance. Please can you also explain the process for connecting Linux Red Hat with iSCSI. Actually, customer changed his mind and wants to connect Linux Red Server now.

Please also let me know, if there are any considerations for Red Hat Linux with iSCSI.

Thanks in Advance

Amit