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PowerVault TL2000 / TL4000 - How to Configure the iSCSI Bridge

Summary: Provides information on the PowerVault TL2000 / TL4000 - How to Configure the iSCSI Bridge.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Symptoms

Article Summary: This article provides information on the "PowerVault TL2000 / TL4000 - How to Configure the iSCSI Bridge".

Table of Contents:
  1. Web Interface / Login
  2. iSCSI Network Configuration
  3. Target, Sessions and Devices
  4. Operating System Configuration

 
Issue 1.


Web Interface /
Login


Firstly, for the PowerVault TL2000 / TL4000 Tape Library
the iSCSI bridge(s) has to be installed into the library.

If your tape library came with iSCSI Bridge(s) installed, please
skip this step.

Use the following link, if you need to installed the iSCSI Bridge(s)
into the tape library:

1Gb iSCSI to SAS User's Guide 

 
SLN156831_en_US__11342610665542.new_note Note:
  The above hyperlink will also show how to setup and configure the iSCSI Bridge, and the Operating System initiator as well
 
SLN156831_en_US__21342610700371.new_notice Notice:
  Electrostatic discharge can damage sensitive components. Always use proper antistatic protection when handling components. Touching components without using a proper ground may damage equipment.

Use the following link for more information:
Learn how to Avoid ESD Damage

The initial IP Address for the iSCSI Bridge is 10.10.10.10.  With this IP Address, you can
access the iSCSI Bridge Web Interface.  You will need to enter that IP Address into a
web browser.

Once you have done this, or you have reconfigured the IP Address, you should see a
login screen.

SLN156831_en_US__31373489147998.Figure-1_iSCSI_Login

NOTE: The default password for the initial setup is "admin" (without the quotation marks).

 
 
Issue 2.


iSCSI Network
Configuration

 

 
SLN156831_en_US__11342610665542.new_note Note:
  It is recommended that the IP Address(s) used in the iSCSI Network Configuration be segmented from the rest of the network, and other unlike iSCSI devices on the network.

This can be accomplished by the use of VLANs on the network switch, or other different.

Assistance might be available through Dell Technical Support or Dell Professional Services. Depending on the depth of assistance, a service fee might be required.

Please, call Dell Technical Support, if you require this type of assistance.

Use the following steps to configure the iSCSI Network Connections:
  1. From the Console Home screen, click on the Connections icon under
    the Network section.

    SLN156831_en_US__51373485480170.Figure-2_iSCSI_Home_Screen
  2. On this screen, you will be able to configure a number of items:
    1. Hostname - In this field, you can enter a name for the iSCSI Bridge.
                           It is recommended that you use a name that is relevant to
                           its location and/or purpose.

                          DNS entry(s) will probably need to be modified or created
                          for the hostname to work properly.
    2. Gateway - Enter the IP Address of the network gateway.
    3. DNS Server - Enter the IP Address of the DNS Server with entry(s) or
                              records that point to the hostname entered above.
    4. Network Port Fields:
      1. DHCP - this means the bridge will seek out the DHCP-sever on your network
        and obtain an IP Address from the server each time it powers up.  (Not Preferred)
      2. Static IP (Preferred Method) - the IP-address set in this page will be the IP-address
        the unit will use each time it powers up.
      3. Subnet-Mask - If the bridge is configured to use DHCP the net mask will be issued
        from the DHCP-server. If you are using a static IP-address enter the IP-mask in this box.
      4. Broadcast-Address - Enter in this box your Broadcast-address for your network.
  3. After the necessary fields have been configured, click the Save button.
    Once done, click the reboot option in the upper left pane to reboot the bridge.

    SLN156831_en_US__61373490690986.Figure-3_iSCSI_Network_Configuration
     
    SLN156831_en_US__11342610665542.new_note Note:
      Clicking on this reboot option does not reboot the library. It will only reboot the iSCSI Bridge.
  4. If you made changes to your computers network settings, for the initial setup,
    return them to their previous setting and reconnect to the bridge using the IP-address
    or hostname, depending on which addressing mode you selected.
  5. Network Ping - From within the Network configuration page on the left hand side the user can access
    the ping facility. Click on the Network Ping on the left hand side and you will  see the following screen.

    SLN156831_en_US__81373486202757.Figure-5_iSCSI_Network_Ping

    This can be used to test a network connection to a configured NIC (Network Interface
    Card) within a server. This is particularly useful to verify the network connections and that a particular
    network port is viable.
  6. On the Console Home page, the password can be changed using the Password and Security icon.
  7. In the Service Control icon, the NTP (Network Time Protocol) and iSNS (Internet Storage Name Service)
    IP Address can be submitted to the appropriate fields.

    SLN156831_en_US__91373490855863.Figure-7_iSCSI_Service_Control

    Each entry requires a click on the Save button.

 
Issue 3.


Target, Sessions
and Devices


The following will discus iSCSI Targets, Sessions and Devices:
  1. The iSCSI Target icon will allow you to configure the iSCSI Targets, and
    CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol) authentication as well.
     
    SLN156831_en_US__11342610665542.new_note Note:
      Multipath - By default, the bridge will allow up to 10 iSCSI connections per iSCSI Session.
    However, some initiators will only allow 1 iSCSI Connection per iSCSI Session and will reject any login to an iSCSI Target that tries to negotiate more iSCSI Connections.

    If this is the case, click the compatibility check box and this will limit the number of connections to 1.

    SLN156831_en_US__111373486433166.Figure-8_iSCSI_Systems_iSCSI_Target

    SLN156831_en_US__121373491017178.Figure-9_iSCSI_Target
  2. iSCSI Sessions icon will show you iSCSI hosts logged on to the iSCSI Bridge.

    SLN156831_en_US__131373491096632.Figure-10_iSCSI_Sessions
  3. Device Management icon will allow you to see how many devices are being presented via the
    iSCSI Bridge.

    SLN156831_en_US__141373489303765.Figure-12_iSCSI_Device_Management

    Additionally, it will allow the a number of configuration parameters such as persistency.  Persistence
    can be useful, for instance, if the iSCSI Bridge and its devices, are being shared between multiple
    servers.  This will allow the medium changer(s) and its tape drive(s) to come up in the same order,
    even after a reboot of the server.
     
    SLN156831_en_US__11342610665542.new_note Note:
      Other persistence methods may have to be implements on the Operating System with the backup software. Please, see your backup software vendor's technical site for more information on this subject.

 
Issue 4.


Operating System
Configuration


Please reference the iSCSI User's Guide, or, see the following links:
  1. Linux® (1 GB iSCSI to SAS bridge iSCSI initiators)

Cause

Dell EMC

Resolution

Dell Technologies

Affected Products

PowerVault TL2000, PowerVault TL4000
Article Properties
Article Number: 000129042
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 14 Apr 2021
Version:  6
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