Configure iSCSI connections with MPIO on Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 - Part 1

I would like to install and test Multipath I/O (MPIO) for iSCSI connection. After enabling MPIO for iSCSI connection, we can use all or selected NICs to connect iSCSI target. MPIO can utilize all NICs to transfer data to same destination and then it supports error handling, failover and recovery function by Device-Specific Modules (DSM). By default, the Microsoft DSM is available in Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2.

Microsoft provided the more detail information about MPIO, please read the following web site for your information.

Understanding MPIO Features and Components

MPIO Users Guide for Windows Server 2012

Lab environment

• 1 Windows Server 2012 R2 named DC01 is a domain controller of tls1.local
• 2 Windows Server 2012 R2 named MS01 and MS02 were joined tls1.local
• 4 NICs were installed in each server except DC01
• IP addresses for domain network are 192.168.8.10 (DC01), 192.168.8.21 (MS01) and 192.168.8.22 (MS02)
• IP addresses for MS01, iSCSI target, are 192.168.9.11, 192.168.9.21 and 192.168.9.31
• IP addresses for MS02, iSCSI initiator, are 192.168.9.12, 192.168.9.22  and 192.168.9.32
• Un-check "Register this connection's addresses in DNS" option for iSCSI network

Installing and configuring iSCSI target

1. On MS01, log in as Domain Administrator.

2. Launch "Server Manager".

3. On "Server Manager", click "Add roles and features".

4. On "Before You Begin" window, click "Next".

5. On "Installation Type" window, select "Role-based or feature-based installation".

6. Click "Next".

7. On "Server Selection" window, click "Next".

8. On "Server Roles" window, check "iSCSI Target Server" and then click "Add Features".

9. Click "Next" twice.

10. On "Confirmation" window, click "Install".

11. On "Results" window, click "Close".

12. On "Server Manager" window, select "File and Storage Services".

13. Select "iSCSI".

14. Click "To create an iSCSI virtual disk, start the New iSCSI Virtual Disk Wizard".

15. On "iSCSI Virtual Disk Location" window, click "Next".

16. On "iSCSI Virtual Disk Name" window, next to "Name", enter "MS02-Lun-0".

17. Click "Next".

18. On "iSCSI Virtual Disk Size" window, next to "Size", enter "30".

19. Select "Dynamically expanding".

20. Click "Next".

Remark: In Windows Server 2012, there is no option to select the types of VHD. In Windows Server 2012 R2, the virtual hard disk format of iSCSI target is VHDX.

21. On "iSCSI Target" window, select "New iSCSI target", click "Next".

22. On "Target Name and Access" window, next to "Name", enter "MS02.tls1.local".

23. Click "Next".

24. On "Access Servers" window, click "Add".

25. On "Add initiator ID" window, select "Enter a value for the selected type".

26. Next to "Type", select "IQN".

27. Next to "Value", enter "iqn.1991-05.com.microsoft:ms02.tls1.local" the iSCSI initiator of  MS02.

Remark: "iqn.1991-05.com.microsoft" is the default prefix of IQN of Microsoft iSCSI initiator. After entering the prefix, we need to enter the FQDN of the server.

28. Click "OK".

29. On "Access Servers" window, click "Next".

30. On "Enable Authentication" window, click "Next".

31. On "Confirmation" window, click "Create".

32. On "Results" window, click "Close".

Now, iSCSI target with the virtual hard disk is ready. We will configure MPIO and iSCSI initiator in MS02 next part.

Other parts:
Configure iSCSI connections with MPIO on Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2

This posting is provided “AS IS” with no warranties, and confers no rights!