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35 BP1043 | Configuring Windows Server 2008 R2 for iSCSI SAN Boot with EqualLogic Storage
9 Post Windows 2008 R2 OS installation steps
The following section contains additional steps that should be performed after Windows 2008 R2 SP1 is
initially installed on the bootable iSCSI volume. These additional steps complete the configuration of a
bootable iSCSI SAN by configuring multi-path I/O and redundancy as well as implementing other best
practices and optimization.
9.1 Installing Hotfixes
9.1.1 Hotfix KB976042
The Microsoft Knowledge Base article KB976042 states that “Windows may fail to boot from an iSCSI drive
if networking hardware is changed”. This hotfix must be installed on a system using iSCSI boot from SAN.
Details about this Hotfix can be found here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976042
.
9.1.2 Hotfix KB2727330
The Microsoft Knowledge Base article KB2727330 states that “Default gateway is set to 0.0.0.0 if you start
a Windows Server 2008 R2-based computer from an iSCSI boot device”. This hotfix will fix the slow
network performance issue on systems using iSCSI volume to boot. Details about this Hotfix can be found
here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2727330/en-us
.
Note: You might need to install other Microsoft Hotfixes on the system. You should also check for
Microsoft updates.
9.2 Installing the EqualLogic Host Integration Tool (HIT) Kit
The Host Integration Tool Kit or HIT Kit is a device specific module (DSM) for Dell EqualLogic arrays that is
installed on Windows 2008 R2 systems to create redundant connection paths from the host system to
EqualLogic arrays. The HIT Kit also installs other utilities and configures the host system according to the
best practices for Dell EqualLogic arrays.
Complete the following steps to install HIT Kit on the system.
1. Go to https://support.equallogic.com
to download HIT Kit. An EqualLogic support account is
required.
2. Go to Downloads->HIT Kit for Microsoft. Download the latest Host Integration Tools for
Microsoft.
3. Double click Setup64.exe (for x64 bit system) to install HIT Kit on the system.
4. Click Next on the Welcome page to proceed.
5. Read and accept the license agreement and click Next to proceed.
6. Install Dell Equallogic Host Integration Tools at the default location. Click Next to proceed.
7. Select Complete setup type, and click Next.
8. Click Install to proceed with installation.