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Configure the switches

You configure the switches according to the vendor’s recommendations for iSCSI. These recommendations might include both configuration directives as well as code updates.

You must ensure the following:

  • You have two separate networks for high availability. Make sure that you isolate your iSCSI traffic to separate network segments.
  • You must enable flow control end to end.
  • If appropriate, you have enabled jumbo frames.
Note
Port channels/LACP is not supported on the controller's switch ports. Host-side LACP is not recommended; multipathing provides the same, and in some cases better, benefits.
  • Configure networking
    You can set up your iSCSI network in many ways, depending on your data storage requirements.
  • Configure array-side networking
    You use the ThinkSystem System Manager GUI to configure iSCSI networking on the array side.
  • Configure host-side networking
    You configure iSCSI networking on the host side by setting the number of node sessions per physical path, turning on the appropriate iSCSI services, configuring the network for the iSCSI ports, creating iSCSI face bindings, and establishing the iSCSI sessions between initiators and targets.
  • Verify IP network connections
    You verify Internet Protocol (IP) network connections by using ping tests to ensure the host and array are able to communicate.
  • Create partitions and filesystems
    A new LUN has no partition or file system when the Linux host first discovers it. You must format the LUN before it can be used. Optionally, you can create a file system on the LUN.
  • Verify storage access on the host
    Before using the volume, you verify that the host can write data to the volume and read it back.
  • Record iSCSI-specific information for Linux
    Select the iSCSI worksheet to record your protocol-specific storage configuration information. You need this information to perform provisioning tasks.