iSCSI setup - two networks - same subnet

[WeezD]

Hi

I am looking for some advice and best practice regarding the below scenario.

2 x iSCSI SAN environments, 1gb and 10gb on separate physical switches.  The two fabrics are only required during a migration phase.

Both SAN environments are in the same IP range/subnet for ease of migration.

How can both physically separate iSCSI networks be setup on the esxi hosts, while the networks have the same subnet?

Thanks in advance

[christianZ]

Hi,

well, I think with software iscsi initiator I wouldn't  recommend using both 1 Gb and 10Gb as uplinks.

Why do you want to use both?

Reg

Chris

[WeezD]

Hi Chris

The 1Gb capable arrays are connected via 1Gb switches and 10Gb capable arrays connected via 10Gb switches hence the requirement to connect to both during a migration phase.

Thanks

[christianZ]

Ok, but have the both network a physically connection between as they using the same network adress?

Reg

Chris

[WeezD]

No, there is no connection between the 1Gb and 10Gb switches, they are completely physically separate but arrays/endpoints in both would be on the same IP range/subnet during a migration phase.

Thanks.

[christianZ]

Because  I would not configure  an iscsi initiator/software (you can have only one) with both nics (1G, 10G) together, therefore  I would do following (if possible):

- if you have 2 ESX hosts and your licensing allows storage vmotion

- configure one host with 1Gb (accessing the old storage) and the second with 10Gb (accessing the new one)  for iscsi

- now the storage vmotion should be possible (the network sites from your esx hosts must see each other)

Onother alternative could be VMware Converter or Veeam (license needed) - but this way not online.

Just my thoughts.

Reg

Chris

[christianZ]

In addition you could mixing the software and hardware initiators by accessing not the same storage, see here:

http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/iSCSI_design_deploy.pdf

Maybe that the way you should choose.

Reg

Chris

[christianZ]

...but according the 4.5.1  you will become problems with the routing tables; playing with the network mask could be the solution here.

Not easy!

Reg

Christian

[WeezD]

Thank you for your replies.

I came across the routing issue and was unsure on how to solve this, if even at all possible.

As you say, I do not think there is an easy solution to this!

[christianZ]

I would suggest to use another ip network for the new storage when you can use the config with hw iscsi initiator.

Reg

Chris