Introduction
iSCSI and NAS are storage solutions that can leverage the existing TCP/IP network infrastructure. Before we start learning how to configure them, let's delve into some iSCSI fundamentals. They are listed as follows:
iSCSI initiator: An iSCSI initiator can be either a software iSCSI adapter or a hardware iSCSI adapter. The hardware iSCSI adapter can further be dependent or independent. The initiator or HBA resides on the ESXi server.
iSCSI target: An iSCSI target is a term used to refer to either a network interface on the array or the LUN itself. Some arrays, such as Dell EqualLogic and HP LeftHand Networks, present each LUN as a target to the iSCSI initiator.
iSCSI session: An iSCSI session is established between an iSCSI initiator and an iSCSI target. Each session can have one or more connections to the target. With software iSCSI configured, a session is established between each bound VMkernel interface (vmk) and an iSCSI target. For example, if there are two vmk interfaces...