Showing posts with label san. Show all posts
Showing posts with label san. Show all posts

April 09, 2015

Installing a storage area network (SAN) on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS

6 comments: Author: tec at 4/09/2015 09:11:00 pm Labels: , ,
System info: `uname -a` returns: Linux tech 3.13.0-24-generic #46-Ubuntu SMP Thu Apr 10 19:11:08 UTC 2014 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

A storage area network is implemented to access storage device from a remote machine in a way that it appears to be locally attached. This is implemented using Small Computer System Interface (SCSI).

A storage area network consists of:

1. Initiator (client)
2. Target (server)

Installation instructions:

Switch to super user. Use command: sudo -i or else use su root

 
sudo -i



A. Target installation on Ubuntu:


1. Install iscsitarget (iSCSI: Internet Small Computer System Interface)

apt-get install iscsitarget

     Checkout: http://iscsitarget.sourceforge.net/


2. Create a logical unit for storing data

dd if=/dev/zero of=/root/lun0 bs=1M count=1024

   (lun: logical unit number)
   We are creating a 1GB file (/root/lun0) for storing data on SAN.
   Run "man dd" for more information on dd command.


3. Enable iscsitarget by editing /etc/default/iscsitarget and setting ISCSITARGET_ENABLE to 'true'.

ISCSITARGET_ENABLE=true


4. Configure ISCSI by editing file: /etc/iet/ietd.conf

Target iqn.2014-04.localhost:target0
    Lun 0 Path=/root/lun0,Type=fileio
    initiator-address 127.0.0.1

    (iet: iscsi enterprise target)
    Add a new target that points to created lun0 file (/root/lun0)
    Check screenshot for reference.


5. Restart iscsitarget /etc/init.d/iscsitarget (start|stop|restart|...)

/etc/init.d/iscsitarget restart


B. Initiator configuration on Ubuntu:

1. Install open-iscsi

apt-get install open-iscsi

 Checkout: http://www.open-iscsi.org/


2. Discover running instances of SAN target on a remote machine

iscsiadmn -m discovery -p 127.0.0.1 -t st

    Use target IP
    Run 'man iscsiadmn' for more information on arguments.


3. Login in to SAN target

iscsiadm --mode node --login --portal 127.0.0.1:3260 --target="iqn.2014-04.localhost:target0"


4. A new storage drive (SAN disk) shows up under /dev. You can view and format this virtual disk using GUI utility called "Disks"


5. Make a new partition table for our virtual disk

Replace /dev/sdX with your virtual disk which is like /dev/sdb in our case.

sudo fdisk /dev/sdx
n
p
<enter>
w

    sudo fdisk /dev/sdX <---- In our case /dev/sdb is the virtual disk
    n (add new partition table)
    p (primary partition)
    <enter> (enter, enter, enter for default values)
    w (write table and exit)
 
    Check screenshot for reference.


6. Format and make a new file system using mkfs on first partition of the virtual disk (/dev/sdX1)

mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdX1



7. Mount the new partition for use:

mkdir /root/san
mount /dev/sdX1 /root/san



Check back on "Disks" utility. Your storage area network drive should be ready for use.


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