This article explains how to configure iSCSI Datastore ESXi 8.0 host. To add an iSCSI LUN to a VMWare ESXi and create a shared VMFS datastore on it. In this scenario, we are using a standalone host running VMware ESXi 8.0.0. There are two network interfaces in the host (one for management and the 2nd is for the iSCSI traffic). Visit VMware for more details.
Connect NAS as iSCSI storage to ESXi 8.0 Host
How to install and configure FreeNAS as an iSCSI storage.
Open your favorite web browser, enter your ESXi hostname or IP Address, and then press enter. Enter ESXi credentials and then click login.
After login ESXi host, click on Networking options, click on the Virtual switches tab, and then choose to Add standard virtual switch.
Type a vSwitch name, choose your network adapter uplink1, and then choose to add button.
The “vSwitch02” virtual switch was successfully created.
Add Network for iSCSI Traffic on VMWare ESXi
First of all, we need to create a separate VMkernel network interface that will be used by the ESXi to access the iSCSI storage.
In the Networking, click on the VMkernel NICs tab and then Add VMkernel NIC.
Create a new port group, specify a group name (iSCSI), and then assign a static IP address for your vmkernel interface.
VMware NICs were successfully created.
Configure iSCSI Software on VMWare ESXi
The software iSCSI adapter is disabled by default in the ESXi host. To enable it, Click on Storage, select the Adapters tab, and then choose Software iSCSI.
Select the enabled box, and add the IP address of your iSCSI storage and the connection port TCP Port 3260 under the Dynamic Targets section. ESXi host will scan all iSCSI targets on the storage and will display them in the Static Targets list.
Note a new iSCSI Software Adapter vmhba65 appeared in the Storage under the Adapters tab.
Configure iSCSI Datastore ESXi
In the storage option, as you can see TrueNas iSCSI device shows under the devices tab.
Now you can create a VMFS datastore to store the virtual machines on the connected iSCSI LUN. Click on the new datastore.
New datastore wizard, choose “create new VMFS datastore” and then click next.
Type the name of your VMFS datastore and then select the iSCSI LUN to create it. Click next
Select partitioning options, use full disk, select VMFS version, and then choose next.
Review the datastore summary and then choose a finish to complete the process.
In a few seconds, the new VMFS datastore (iSCSI storage) will be available on ESXi.
