vSphere Storage - ESXi 5.1 - Documentation - VMware
vSphere Storage - ESXi 5.1 - Documentation - VMware
vSphere Storage - ESXi 5.1 - Documentation - VMware
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Booting from iSCSI SAN 13<br />
When you set up your host to boot from a SAN, your host's boot image is stored on one or more LUNs in the<br />
SAN storage system. When the host starts, it boots from the LUN on the SAN rather than from its local disk.<br />
You can use boot from the SAN if you do not want to handle maintenance of local storage or have diskless<br />
hardware configurations, such as blade systems.<br />
<strong>ESXi</strong> supports different methods of booting from the iSCSI SAN.<br />
Table 13-1. Boot from iSCSI SAN support<br />
Independent Hardware iSCSI Software iSCSI and Dependent Hardware iSCSI<br />
Configure the iSCSI HBA to boot from the SAN. For<br />
information on configuring the HBA, see “Configure<br />
Independent Hardware iSCSI Adapter for SAN<br />
Boot,” on page 120<br />
This chapter includes the following topics:<br />
n “General Boot from iSCSI SAN Recommendations,” on page 119<br />
n “Prepare the iSCSI SAN,” on page 120<br />
Use the network adapter that supports the iBFT. For information, see<br />
“iBFT iSCSI Boot Overview,” on page 121.<br />
n “Configure Independent Hardware iSCSI Adapter for SAN Boot,” on page 120<br />
n “iBFT iSCSI Boot Overview,” on page 121<br />
General Boot from iSCSI SAN Recommendations<br />
If you plan to set up and use an iSCSI LUN as the boot device for your host, you need to follow certain general<br />
guidelines.<br />
The following guidelines apply to booting from independent hardware iSCSI and iBFT.<br />
n Review any vendor recommendations for the hardware you use in your boot configuration.<br />
n For installation prerequisites and requirements, review <strong>vSphere</strong> Installation and Setup.<br />
n Use static IP addresses to reduce the chances of DHCP conflicts.<br />
n Use different LUNs for VMFS datastores and boot partitions.<br />
n Configure proper ACLs on your storage system.<br />
n The boot LUN should be visible only to the host that uses the LUN. No other host on the SAN should<br />
be permitted to see that boot LUN.<br />
n If a LUN is used for a VMFS datastore, it can be shared by multiple hosts. ACLs on the storage systems<br />
can allow you to do this.<br />
<strong>VMware</strong>, Inc. 119