How to Install iSCSI Target on Linux
How to Install iSCSI Target on Linux
Setting up an iSCSI target on a Linux machine is a great way to organize your network storage. iSCSI, which stands for Internet Small Computer Systems Interface, is a protocol that allows for seamless connectivity and data transfer between storage devices over IP networks. In this guide, we will walk through the process of installing and configuring the iSCSI target on a Linux system.
Prerequisites
- A Linux server with root access. This tutorial is performed on Ubuntu, but the steps are similar for other distributions.
- An understanding of network basics including IP addressing and network configuration.
- A designated storage disk or partition for iSCSI target provisioning.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Step 1: Update Your System
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgradeThis ensures all packages are up to date, minimizing compatibility issues.
Step 2: Install iSCSI Target Software
On Ubuntu, the iSCSI target package is targetcli. Install it using the following command:
sudo apt install targetcli-fbStep 3: Configure iSCSI Target
Once installed, start the target configuration tool:
sudo targetcliWithin the targetcli shell, perform the following:
/backstores/block create block0 /dev/sdb– Replace/dev/sdbwith your actual disk or partition./iscsi create– This creates a new iSCSI target./iscsi/iqn.20.../tpg1/luns create /backstores/block/block0– Replaceiqn.20...with the IQN generated in the previous step./iscsi/iqn.20.../tpg1/acls create iqn.20...– Set up authentication for access control.
Before finalizing, configure network endpoints using
/iscsi/iqn.20.../tpg1/portals create 0.0.0.0Step 4: Start and Enable the Service
sudo systemctl enable target
sudo systemctl start targetThis ensures your iSCSI target starts on boot and is actively running.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Check logs: If the service doesn’t start, check for errors with
journalctl -xeandsystemctl status target. - Credential issues: Double-check access control entries if you face authentication failures.
Summary Checklist
- Ensure system is updated.
- Install and configure
targetcli. - Properly create and secure iSCSI targets and LUNs.
- Enable and manage service startups.
By following this guide, you should now have a functional iSCSI target set up and running on your Linux system. This setup can integrate seamlessly with client systems for enhanced storage solutions.
For further network-related tutorials, check out our article on How to Configure Networking in OpenStack.
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