iSCSI target on Windows Server 2012

iSCSI is a powerful technology that may come in handy even for sharing a network volume to a bunch of users. While iSCSI was developed for much more complex operations, being able to connect a network volume to a client PC has its advantages over a network share.
Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 can “natively” manage iSCSI targets while older versions needed the installation a Microsoft package.
In this tutorial, we’ll see how to create an iSCSI target and how to connect a client PC to it.
Open the Server Manager:
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
Click To install iSCSI Target Server, start the Add Roles and Features Wizard:
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
The Wizard will appear pre-configured with the Roles you need to install. Just click Next until the end:
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
Now that the iSCSI Target Server has been installed you can configure a new target. Click To create an iSCSI virtual disk, start the New iSCSI Virtual Disk Wizard:
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
Select a volume or choose a path where the virtual disk will be saved:
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
Give a name to the iSCSI virtual disk:
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
Choose the size and select Dynamically expanding:
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
Select New iSCSI target:
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
Give a name to the iSCSI target:
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
Clicking Add you will be able to specify (and restrict) the access to an Initiator:
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
Choose IQN and give a name to the Initiator:
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
You can add further security with the CHAP authentication. We choose to skip this step:
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
Click Create:
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
Target created!
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
Now it’s time to connect a client PC to the iSCSI target. Open the control panel of the client machine and select Administrative Tools. Launch the iSCSI Initiator:
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
Go to the Configuration tab and specify the initiator name (use the same you configured for the target):
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
Go to the Targets tab and specify the IP of the Target Server, then click Quick Connect:
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
Connection completed:
How to create an iSCSI target on Windows 2012
You’ll find a new volume in the Disk Management panel of the client PC. You can format it and manage like you desire.

No comments: