Connecting Server 2012 Host to iSCSI SAN Storage

  • Install Multipath I/O feature.
  • Launch Microsoft iSCSI Initiator: Start > Administrative Tools > iSCSI Initiator. The iSCSI Initiator Properties window appears.
  • Navigate to the Discovery tab.
  • Click Discover Portal. Enter the first IP address of the SAN Storage in the appropriate field of the Discover Target Portal dialog. Click OK.
  • Again click Discover Portal to add the second IP address of the SAN Storage.
  • Click the Targets tab. The previously created targets are listed in the Discovered Targets section.
  • Select the targets and click Connect to add it.
  • Select Add this connection to the list of Favorite Targets and Enable multi-path checkboxes in the Connect to Target dialog. Click Advanced.
  • Select Microsoft iSCSI Initiator in the Local adapter text field. In the Target portal IP select the first IP address of the AN Storage. Click OK.
  • Click OK to return to MS Initiator main window.
  • Select the same target and again click Connect. Perform the same actions as described above; this time specify another IP address as a target portal IP. Click OK.
  • Connect the second path of the target and close the MS Initiator.
  • Open the MPIO manager: Start -> Administrative Tools -> MPIO.
  • Go to the Discover Multi-Paths tab. Select the Add support for iSCSI devices checkbox and click Add.
  • When prompted to restart the server, click Yes to proceed.
  • After the system reboot open the MPIO Manager once again to check whether the multipathed device has been recognized and added. A new device should be displayed in the Devices list of the MPIO-ed devices tab.
  • Open the iSCSI Initiator to check the target properties. Select the target and click Properties.
  • The Sessions tab contains two sessions that represent both network paths that you have set.
  • Click Devices. This window displays general information about devices.
  • Click MPIO. Select a load balance policy of your connections. A brief description of the selected policy is provided beneath the Load balance policy box.