To configure the VMware iSCSI software initiator for multipathing, see the VMware articles, Configuring Software iSCSI Adapters in the VMware Host Client and Setting Up Network for iSCSI and iSER in VMware documentation.
For users with previous experience configuring iSCSI for multipathing, here are a few key points for a successful configuration:
- Create two VMkernel adapters, one for each SAN fabric.
- Ensure each VMkernel adapter is on its own vSwitch with a single vmnic (physical NIC adapter).
- Remember if Jumbo frames is used, you must enable it on both the VMkernel adapters and the vSwitches.
- Enable the software iSCSI initiator.
- Add an IP address from an iSCSI port on controller A to the software iSCSI imitator under dynamic discovery.
- Add a second IP address from an iSCSI port on controller B to the software iSCSI initiator under dynamic discovery.
- Ensure that each IP address used in the previous steps represents each of the subnets used in the SAN fabric.
- Rescan the iSCSI software adapter.
Figure 5. vSwitch layout