iSCSI SAN storage for Microsoft Exchange -- 5 tips in 5 minutes

iSCSI SAN storage for Microsoft Exchange -- 5 tips in 5 minutes

In this excerpt from "The Shortcut Guide to Exchange Server 2007 Storage Systems," author Jim McBee leads you through the process of implementing an iSCSI SAN storage system for

    Requires Free Membership to View

    When you register, you’ll also receive targeted alerts from my team of editorial writers and independent industry experts with the latest news, tips, and advice to help you do your job more efficiently and effectively. Our goal is to keep you informed on the hottest topics and biggest challenges faced by Exchange professionals today working with Exchange, Outlook and other related technologies.

    Margie Semilof, Editorial Director

    By submitting your registration information to SearchExchange.com you agree to receive email communications from TechTarget and TechTarget partners. We encourage you to read our Privacy Policy which contains important disclosures about how we collect and use your registration and other information. If you reside outside of the United States, by submitting this registration information you consent to having your personal data transferred to and processed in the United States. Your use of SearchExchange.com is governed by our Terms of Use. You may contact us at webmaster@TechTarget.com.

Microsoft Exchange 2003 or Exchange 2007 using Windows Server 2003 and the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator software.

McBee begins his tutorial by explaining the fundamentals of iSCSI technology and terminology and diagramming the possible design options you can use when deploying iSCSI SAN storage. He then provides detailed instructions and screenshots to help you set up and connect an iSCSI SAN storage system to your network. Finally, he walks through how to move your Exchange 2003 or Exchange 2007 databases and logs to iSCSI SAN LUNs.

If you have any comments or questions about the information presented herein, please send an email to editor@searchexchange.com.


This chapter will introduce the concepts of an iSCSI-based SAN storage system and discuss how to implement iSCSI from the Windows Server perspective when using the Microsoft iSCSI initiator. Understanding not only the implementation of iSCSI but also some of the concepts surrounding SCSI in general will help you to better understand how this works in your environment. Important topics in this chapter include:

  • Understanding the basics of iSCSI
  •  

  • Installing and configuring the Microsoft iSCSI initiator
  •  

  • Possible network designs for iSCSI implementations
  •  

  • Moving Exchange data and logs to iSCSI logical units (LUNs)
  •  

  • Hardware solutions and compatibility

There are few important pieces of information to keep in mind. First and foremost, you want to make sure you have the latest updates to the Windows OS, including the newest version of the iSCSI initiator software. Second, you want to ensure that you are precisely following any guidance provided to you by your iSCSI SAN vendors. Best practices for configuring the iSCSI initiator (and other hardware) will vary from one vendor to another, so make sure you are using the practices that are best for your hardware and software.


ISCSI SAN STORAGE FOR MICROSOFT EXCHANGE

 Home: Introduction
 Tip 1: A basic primer on iSCSI storage architecture
 Tip 2: iSCSI SAN storage design options for Microsoft Exchange Server
 Tip 3: Setting up Windows iSCSI initiator support for a Microsoft Exchange SAN
 Tip 4: Connecting Windows Server and Microsoft Exchange to iSCSI SAN LUNs
 Tip 5: Moving Exchange Server databases and logs to iSCSI SAN LUNs

 

  This chapter excerpt from The Shortcut Guide to Exchange Server 2007 Storage Systems , by Jim McBee, is printed with permission from Realtimepublishers, Copyright 2007.

Click here for the chapter download or download the entire book here.

 

 

This was first published in December 2007