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If you have multiple network adapters, create additional VMkernel adapters and then perform iSCSI
binding. The number of virtual adapters must correspond to the number of physical adapters on the host.
Create Additional VMkernel Adapters for iSCSI
Use this task if you have two or more physical network adapters for iSCSI and you want to connect all of
your NICs to a single vSphere standard switch. In this task, you add NICs and VMkernel adapters to an
existing vSphere standard switch.
Prerequisites
Launch the vSphere Client and log in to a vCenter Server system.
You must create a vSphere standard switch that maps an iSCSI VMkernel adapter to a single physical NIC
designated for iSCSI traffic.
Procedure
1 Log in to the vSphere Client, and select a host from the inventory panel.
2 Click the Configuration tab and click Networking.
3 Select the vSphere standard switch that you use for iSCSI and click Properties.
4 Connect additional network adapters to the standard switch.
a In the standard switch Properties dialog box, click the Network Adapters tab and click Add.
b Select one or more NICs from the list and click Next.
With dependent hardware iSCSI adapters, select only those NICs that have a corresponding iSCSI
component.
c Review the information on the Adapter Summary page and click Finish.
The list of network adapters reappears, showing the network adapters that the vSphere standard
switch now claims.
5 Create iSCSI VMkernel adapters for all NICs that you added.
The number of VMkernel interfaces must correspond to the number of NICs on the vSphere standard
switch.
a In the standard switch Properties dialog box, click the Ports tab and click Add.
b Select VMkernel and click Next.
c Under Port Group Properties, enter a network label, for example iSCSI, and click Next.
d Specify the IP settings and click Next.
When you enter the subnet mask, make sure that the NIC is set to the subnet of the storage system
it connects to.
e Review the information and click Finish.
CAUTION If the NIC you use with your iSCSI adapter, either software or dependent hardware, is not in
the same subnet as your iSCSI target, your host cannot establish sessions from this network adapter to
the target.
What to do next
Change the network policy for all VMkernel adapters, so that it is compatible with the network binding
requirements. You can then bind the iSCSI VMkernel adapters to the software iSCSI or dependent hardware
iSCSI adapters.
Chapter 24 Managing Storage in the vSphere Client
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