Managing iSCSI

NetWare iSCSI software includes management features that let you create or end iSCSI initiator/target sessions, view or edit initiator properties, and monitor iSCSI status and connection information.


Creating an iSCSI Session

To create an iSCSI initiator/target session, follow the instructions in Configuring iSCSI Initiators.


Ending an iSCSI Session

You can end an iSCSI target session at the initiator server console or by using NetWare Remote Manager.

To end an iSCSI target session at the intitiator server console, enter iscsinit disconnect a.b.c.d

Replace a.b.c.d with the IP address of the iSCSI target device (storage router).

Using the iscsinit disconnect command will disconnect or end all iSCSI target sessions for the specified IP address. If you want to end an iSCSI target session for a specific target, use NetWare Remote Manager.

To end an iSCSI target session using NetWare Remote Manager:

  1. On the NetWare Remote Manager main page, click the iSCSI Services link at the bottom of the left column.

  2. Click End Session.

  3. Check the check box next to each target you want to disconnect from this initiator, then click Next to disconnect them.


Viewing and Editing Initiator Properties

You can view iSCSI intitiator properties at the initiator server console or by using NetWare Remote Manager. To change iSCSI initiator and driver properties, you must use NetWare Remote Manager.

To view iSCSI initiator properties at the initiator server console, enter iscsinit info.

To view or change iSCSI initiator properties using NetWare Remote Manager:

  1. On the NetWare Remote Manager main page, click the iSCSI Services link at the bottom of the left column.

  2. Click the Properties link to bring up a page that lets you view or change initiator and driver properties.

  3. View or change the desired properties, then click Finish to save changes.

Current initiator and driver properties include the following:


Authentication Method

The default authentication method is None. This property cannot be changed or deselected for this release.


Frontpage Display Controls

The Frontpage Display Controls check boxes determine what information is displayed on the iSCSI initiator main page. Checking a check box causes that information to be displayed. For example, if you check the Network Address check box, the IP address of the target device will be displayed in the Storage Sessions section of the iSCSI initiator main page.


Connection Path Recovery Controls

The Connection path recovery controls are tolerance and timeout configuration settings for communication between initiators and targets. You can enable or disable Connection path recovery controls. These controls are configured to default settings, and should not be changed except under the direction of Novell Technical Support.


Number of LUN Probes per Target

The number of LUN probes per target is the number of targets you want the initiator to communicate with on the target device.


Display Driver Statistics

Checking the Display Driver (HAM) Statistics check box causes operational statistics to be displayed on the iSCSI initiator main page. There will also be link on the main page to an iSCSI Device Driver Requests graph.


Performance and Trend Graphs

If you check the Performance and Trend Graphs check box, there will be links to informative graphs for Data Transfer Rate and Trend Distribution on the iSCSI initiator main page.


Reports

If you check the Reports check box, there will be buttons to view or e-mail the iSCSI report on the iSCSI initiator main page. The iSCSI report contains statistics for iSCSI files and functions.


Restoring NSS Volume Access

If you are accessing an iSCSI target on a NetWare 6.5 server from a NetWare 5.1 initiator and you unload iSCSI initiator software, you might not be able to access NSS volumes on the iSCSI target server after reloading the iSCSI initiator software. If this happens, complete the following steps on the initiator after reloading iSCSI initiator software and connecting to the iSCSI target.

  1. Start NWConfig by entering nwconfig at the initiator server console.

  2. Select NSS Disk Options.

  3. Select Storage (Configure NSS Storage)

  4. Select Update Provider Information.

  5. Select NSS Media Manager Provider and then press Enter.

    Depending on the number and size of NSS volumes, it could take up to 30 seconds for this to complete.

  6. Activate and mount the desired NSS volumes.