Configuring DELL PowerEdge 11G Servers Running Windows Server 2008 for iSCSI SAN Boot A Dell Technical White Paper Dell │ Product Group Storage Interoperability Engineering Team
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays THIS WHITE PAPER IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, AND MAY CONTAIN TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS AND TECHNICAL INACCURACIES. THE CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS, WITHOUT EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. © 2010 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. For more information, contact Dell.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays Table of Contents Introduction.............................................................................................................. 2 Scope ................................................................................................................... 2 Process Overview..................................................................................................... 3 Additional Considerations ..................................
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays Introduction This document provides instructions for configuring Dell™ PowerEdge™ 11G family of servers to boot the Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 SP2 or the Windows Server 2008 R2 from iSCSI SAN-based boot images.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays Storage Array Dell EqualLogic PS Series • Process validated using array controller firmware 4.1.4 Dell PowerVault MD3000i • Process validated using array controller firmware 07.35.31.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays Process for Direct Install for Windows 2008 Boot from iSCSI SAN Note: In the preceding figure, we include a major step at the end for cloning and deploying copies of the operating system image after it has been configured for iSCSI SAN boot to other systems. The details for completing that process will be based on your environment and your familiarity with the various tools and methods for image cloning and deployment.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays Additional Considerations The iSCSI boot scenario we describe in this document corresponds to Scenario 2, “Server network adapter creates iBFT for connection to iSCSI target without requiring external devices,” as described in the Microsoft TechNet article, “About iSCSI Boot,” available at http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/library/ee619722%28WS.10%29.aspx.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 4. Download the latest Intel PRO or Broadcom NetXtreme drivers and firmware from the Drivers and Downloads section on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com. Configuring the Storage Array The following sections describe the process of configuring the storage arrays with the LUNs necessary to host the iSCSI Boot.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays Configuring the PowerVault MD3000i Storage Array Perform the following steps to register a host and create a virtual disk to be used as the boot volume. Manually Register a Host 1. Launch the Dell PowerVault Modular Disk Storage Manager (MDSM), and connect to the PowerVault MD3000i storage array to be used by the host for booting. 2. Click Configure, and select Configure Host Access (Manual). 3.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays Create a Virtual Disk and Assign It to the Host A fully-configured Disk Group is required for the following section. If a Disk Group has not been configured, please see the "Creating Virtual Disks and Disk Groups" section of the PowerVault MDSM Online Help manual (accessible using the Help link in MDSM) for detailed instructions. 1. In MDSM, click the Configure tab, and then click Create Disk Groups and Virtual Disks.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays Record IQN and iSCSI Host IP Addresses Using MDSM, complete the following steps: 1. Click the iSCSI tab, and then click Change Target Identification. Record the iSCSI target name, as shown in the following example, in your configuration worksheet. 2. In the iSCSI tab, click Configure iSCSI Ports. 3.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 2. Adjust the boot sequence order so that the onboard Broadcom NIC is first in the list, followed by the DVD/CD-ROM device. 3. Select Integrated Devices. Multiple NIC choices will appear in the list. Select the correct NIC to be used for boot from iSCSI. You should also record the MAC address for this NIC for use later in this procedure.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays Internal SD Card Port Off (Prevents a conflict during the Windows 2008 installation process) Embedded NICx Enabled with iSCSI Boot 4. After making the changes, press and save. The changes are shown in the following example. Continue immediately with the process in the next section.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 2. Make sure the Boot Protocol is set to iSCSI, and leave all other settings at their defaults. Then press to enter the iSCSI Configuration Utility.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 3. Select the interface whose MAC address matches the one selected during BIOS Setup, and press . 4. At the Main Menu for the iSCSI Configuration Utility, select General Parameters and press .
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 5. Under General Parameters, ensure that all settings match the following screenshot. 6. Press once to return to the Main Menu, select Initiator Parameters, and press .
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 7. Under Initiator Parameters, enter the following information: IP Address: Subnet Mask: Default Gateway: Not required, if the iSCSI initiator (this host) and the iSCSI target reside on the same subnet Primary DNS: Usually not required Secondary DNS: Usually not required iSCSI Name: The server will auto-generate an IQN name for this host.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 8. Press once to return to the Main Menu; then select 1st Target Parameters and press . 9. Under 1st Target Parameters, enter the following information: Connect: IP Address: TCP Port: Boot LUN: iSCSI Name: CHAP ID: CHAP Secret: This option should be enabled. This parameter should be set to the iSCSI target IP address. For an EqualLogic-based target, this IP address will be the Group IP address.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 10. Press once to return to the Main Menu. Ensure that there is no information entered for either 2nd Target Parameters or Secondary Device Parameters. 11. Press once more to leave the iSCSI Configuration Utility. IMPORTANT: Be sure to save the configuration. 12. Press one more time to the MBA Configuration menu, and press to save your changes and exit. NOTE: Ensure that the Windows 2008 installation DVD is in the drive.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 4. Change to the directory containing the Boot Agent, and run IBAUtil.exe -fe to enable the flash. 5. Change to the directory with the iSCSI Remote Boot Utility, and run iscsiutl.exe -up -all to replace the PXE boot flash with the iSCSI boot flash on the installed Intel NIC.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays Configure Integrated Devices in Server BIOS Make the following changes to ensure that no embedded NICs on the server are enabled for iSCSI boot. On server restart, press to enter Setup, and then select Integrated Devices.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays Set iSCSI Boot Configuration on the NIC The following process will complete the NIC configuration for iSCSI boot. 1. On server restart, press when prompted for the iSCSI Remote Boot setup: 2.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 3. Select iSCSI Boot Configuration: 4. Enter the Initiator Name, the Target Name, and the IP information.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 5. Select Save changes and Exit to return to the main MAC list, and then press P to select the NIC as the Primary boot path for iSCSI: 6. Press to exit the Intel iSCSI Remote Boot setup. The NIC should try to connect immediately to the specified target. Ensure that you receive a LUN header from the target showing successful login. 7. Continue with the Windows installation.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays Installing Windows Server 2008 or 2008 R2 In this section, we provide steps to complete a basic installation of Windows Server 2008 onto a bootable iSCSI SAN-based target LUN.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 9. Determine if the target LUN is available in the list of drives. If the target LUN is available, proceed to step 15. 10. Insert the removable media containing the drivers for the NIC (Intel PRO Network device or Broadcom NetXtreme adapter). 11. Click Load Driver. The Load Driver dialog box appears. 12. Click Browse. The Browse for Folder dialog box appears. 13.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays e. In the Virtual Memory section, click Change. f. In the Virtual Memory screen, select No paging file. 19. If the system will require configuration of redundant iSCSI paths to the boot image LUN, or if you will be configuring multi-path I/O, then you will need to install additional software in the host image for your array type: • If you are using a Dell | EqualLogic storage array, install the Host Integration Toolkit.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 4. In the Integrated Devices menu, ensure that the desired additional NIC is set to use the Enabled with iSCSI Boot setting. 5. Press to exit the Integrated Devices menu. 6. Press to exit BIOS Setup. The BIOS exit menu appears. 7. Select Save Changes and Exit to exit BIOS Setup. NOTE: Ensure that all USB flash drives are removed from the system before proceeding. 8.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 10. 10. Select the current primary adapter and press : 11. In the Main Menu, select Secondary Device Parameters.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 12. Press to display a list of available secondary adapters, and then select the MAC address of the adapter chosen. 13. In the Secondary Device Parameters screen, set Use Independent Target Portal mode as Enabled and set Use Independent Target Name as Enabled. Then, select Invoke to configure the secondary adapter.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 14.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 16. Configure the following values for Initiator Parameters: • IP Address • Subnet Mask • Default Gateway • Primary DNS (optional) • Secondary DNS (optional) • iSCSI Name (the iSCSI initiator name to be used by the client system) 17. Press to return to the Main Menu. 18.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 19. Press to return to the Main Menu. Select Exit and Save Configuration to exit the NIC/LOM menu. 20. Press to save your MBA configuration. 21. Complete the Windows configuration steps in ”Windows Configuration” on page 34. Configuring Multi-Path I/O for the Intel Adapter For multi-path boot, you will need two network ports on the server dedicated to iSCSI SAN boot and two iSCSI SAN IP address assignments.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 8. In the Intel Boot banner, press to enter the NIC option ROM: 9.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 10. In the iSCSI Port Configuration menu, select iSCSI Boot Configuration: 11. Enter the Secondary Initiator name, the Target name, and the Target IP information, then select OK: NOTE: Ensure that all network settings are properly configured—failing to do so could result in boot failure. NOTE: Do not enable CHAP at this time. It is recommended that you configure advanced features after the connection between host and target is established.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays 12. Select Save changes and Exit to return to the main MAC list, and then press S to select the Alternate NIC as the Secondary path for iSCSI: 13. Press to exit the adapter setup. Windows Configuration When the redundant boot paths are created using the preceding process, the server will boot as long as one of the paths is available at boot time.
Configuring Boot From SAN Using iSCSI-Based Dell Storage Arrays Troubleshooting If the iSCSI Boot BIOS fails to detect the iSCSI target, perform the following troubleshooting steps and try to boot the system from iSCSI: 1. Try disabling the spanning tree protocol (if enabled) on the switch ports on which the iSCSI boot NIC is configured. For information about disabling the spanning tree, see the documentation that shipped with the switch. 2.
