Centralized Secure Storage (iSCSI) - "Initiator Client" Setup on CentOS

Centralized secure storage is an essential component of many modern IT infrastructures. It allows multiple servers to access a shared storage pool, enabling a higher degree of flexibility, scalability, and availability. One popular method of centralized secure storage is iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface). In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up an iSCSI initiator client on CentOS.

What is iSCSI?

iSCSI is a protocol that allows a server to access storage devices over a network. It encapsulates SCSI commands and data into IP packets, allowing the server to communicate with the storage device as if it were directly attached. This enables the use of remote storage devices as if they were local disks. With iSCSI, you can create centralized storage solutions that are both scalable and cost-effective.

What is an initiator client?

In an iSCSI setup, an initiator client is the server that is accessing the remote storage device. It sends SCSI commands to the storage device and receives responses back. The iSCSI initiator client is responsible for initiating the connection to the iSCSI target, logging in to the target, and managing the data transfer between the server and the target.

Setting up an iSCSI initiator client on CentOS

Now that we know what iSCSI and initiator clients are, let's take a look at how to set up an iSCSI initiator client on CentOS.

Step 1: Install the required packages

The first step is to install the required packages for iSCSI on CentOS. Open a terminal and enter the following command −

sudo yum install iscsi-initiator-utils

This command installs the necessary tools for configuring and managing the iSCSI initiator client.

Step 2: Discover the iSCSI target

An iSCSI target is the storage device that you want to connect to. To discover the target, run the following command in the terminal −

sudo iscsiadm -m discovery -t st -p IP_address_of_iSCSI_target

Replace "IP_address_of_iSCSI_target" with the IP address of your iSCSI target. This command will scan the network for any iSCSI targets and display their information.

Step 3: Log in to the iSCSI target

Once you have discovered the iSCSI target, the next step is to log in to it. To do this, run the following command in the terminal −

sudo iscsiadm -m node -T target_name -p IP_address_of_iSCSI_target -l

Replace "target_name" with the name of your iSCSI target. This command logs in to the iSCSI target and creates a device file that represents the remote storage device.

Step 4: Verify the iSCSI session

After logging in to the iSCSI target, you should verify that the iSCSI session has been established correctly. To do this, run the following command −

sudo iscsiadm -m session -P3

This command displays detailed information about the iSCSI session, including the target name, initiator name, and connection status.

Step 5: Mount the remote storage device

The final step is to mount the remote storage device on your CentOS server. To do this, create a directory where you want to mount the remote storage device and run the following command −

sudo mount /dev/sdX mount_point

Replace "sdX" with the device file created in step 3 (e.g., /dev/sdb). Also replace "mount_point" with the directory you created to mount the remote storage device.

Congratulations! You have successfully set up an iSCSI initiator client on CentOS.

Conclusion

Setting up an iSCSI initiator client on CentOS is a simple and effective way to create centralized secure storage solutions. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can access remote storage devices as if they were local disks. With iSCSI, you can scale your storage infrastructure without having to invest in expensive hardware solutions.

We hope this article has been helpful in guiding you through the process of setting up an iSCSI initiator client on CentOS. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment below.