How to setup iscsi on windows server 2019

Last Updated: Feb 4, 2024 by

If you’re looking to expand your server storage capabilities, setting up iSCSI on your Windows Server 2019 is a great option. iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface) allows you to connect to remote storage devices over a network, making it a cost-effective and flexible solution for your server storage needs. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to set up iSCSI on your Windows Server 2019.

Prerequisites

Before setting up iSCSI, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

  • A Windows Server 2019 machine
  • A network connection
  • A storage device with iSCSI support
  • A target name and IP address for your storage device

Enabling iSCSI

The first step in setting up iSCSI is to enable it on your Windows Server 2019 machine. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Server Manager and click on “Add roles and features.”
  2. Click “Next” until you reach the “Server Roles” section.
  3. Expand “File and Storage Services” and select “iSCSI Target Server.”
  4. Click “Next” and then “Install” to enable iSCSI on your server.

Configuring iSCSI

Once iSCSI is enabled, you can begin configuring it to connect to your storage device. Follow these steps to configure iSCSI:

  1. Open the iSCSI Initiator by searching for it in the Start menu.
  2. In the “Targets” tab, click “Quick Connect.”
  3. Enter the IP address of your storage device and click “Quick Connect.”
  4. Select the target name and click “Connect.”
  5. In the “Connect to Target” window, select “Add this connection to the list of Favorite Targets” and click “OK.”

Creating a Virtual Disk

After connecting to your storage device, you can create a virtual disk to use for your server storage. Follow these steps to create a virtual disk:

  1. Open the iSCSI Initiator and click on the “Volumes and Devices” tab.
  2. Click “Auto Configure” to automatically create a virtual disk.
  3. Select the virtual disk and click “Connect.”
  4. In the “Connect to Virtual Disk” window, select “Add this connection to the list of Favorite Targets” and click “OK.”

Assigning a Drive Letter

Once the virtual disk is connected, you can assign a drive letter to it for easy access. Follow these steps to assign a drive letter:

  1. Open the Disk Management tool by searching for it in the Start menu.
  2. Right-click on the virtual disk and select “Change Drive Letter and Paths.”
  3. Click “Add” and select the desired drive letter.
  4. Click “OK” to assign the drive letter to your virtual disk.

Conclusion

Setting up iSCSI on your Windows Server 2019 is a simple and effective way to expand your server storage capabilities. By following these steps, you can easily connect to a remote storage device and create a virtual disk for your server. With iSCSI, you can save on hardware costs and have more flexibility in managing your server storage.

Have you set up iSCSI on your Windows Server 2019? Let us know in the comments if you found this guide helpful.

Gulrukh Ch

About the Author: Gulrukh Ch

Gulrukh Chaudhary, an accomplished digital marketer and technology writer with a passion for exploring the frontiers of innovation. Armed with a Master's degree in Information Technology, Gulrukh seamlessly blends her technical prowess with her creative flair, resulting in captivating insights into the world of emerging technologies. Discover more about her on her LinkedIn profile.

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