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KM_MPL1
Contributor
Contributor

iSCSI storage Port Channel config

On the implementation of multipath iSCSI, is it possible to create a port channel for the two physical network adapters (Etherchannel port group), that connect the vSwitch to the physical switch?

My setup is as follows:

iSCSI-1 ( vmk1 ) tied to vmnic6 ( vlan 20 ) and iSCSI-2 ( vmk2 ) tied to vmnic7 ( vlan 21 ).

iSCSI1 (vmk1) VLAN 20 vmnic6 set as active adapter and iSCSI2 (vmk2) VLAN 21 nmnic7 set as active adapter, connect to the same vswitch, which use vmnic6 and vmnic7 to connect to the physical switch, both phy interfaces are Trunks and set to permit vlan 20 and 21 traffic. 

My question is, would it be technically possible and beneficial to create a port channel on the physical switch using interfaces that connect to vmnic6 and vmnic7. Ideally would like to port channel these two interfaces if it would create greater bandwidth.

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daphnissov
Immortal
Immortal

On the implementation of multipath iSCSI, is it possible to create a port channel for the two physical network adapters (Etherchannel port group), that connect the vSwitch to the physical switch?

No, don't do this. That's entirely why multi-pathing exists. You do not want to go down the Etherchannel route with IP-based storage.

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KM_MPL1
Contributor
Contributor

Is there a technical reason why no?

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daphnissov
Immortal
Immortal

There are several, most of them focus on the additional complexity for no added benefit when using Etherchannel. This is why multi-pathing exists and is able to utilize all links concurrently with no dependency upon upstream switch hardware or configuration. You want your networking infra to be as simple and reliable as possible when it comes to storage traffic or you're in for a really, really bad time.