VMware ESX Server 3.5 iSCSI SAN Configuration Guide

About this manual

The guide provides step‑by‑step instructions for integrating VMware ESX Server 3.5 (including the 3i variant) and VirtualCenter 2.5 with iSCSI storage area networks. It covers concepts, installation requirements, multipathing, performance tuning, backup considerations, and troubleshooting.

It also includes detailed information on supported storage systems, iSCSI initiator configuration, utility tools such as storageMonitor, and best‑practice recommendations for reliable SAN operation in a virtualized environment. This manual is written in Chinese.

What's inside

• About This Guide
• Using ESX Server with SAN
• iSCSI Naming Conventions
• Installation of iSCSI Initiators and Storage
• Multipathing and Path Failover
• Performance Monitoring
• Backup and Snapshot Considerations
• Troubleshooting and FAQ
• Utility Tools (storageMonitor, esxcfg‑swiscsi, etc.)

Specifications

Frequently asked questions

Which ESX Server versions are covered by this guide?

The guide covers ESX Server 3.5 and the ESX Server 3i version 3.5.

Where can I find the latest version of this document?

The latest version is available on VMware’s support site at http://www.vmware.com/cn/support/.

What does the storageMonitor utility do?

storageMonitor monitors the storage devices connected to VMware ESX Server and reports SCSI sense errors.

How can I enable multipathing for iSCSI storage?

Configure multipathing policies in the ESX Server settings as described in the Multipathing and Path Failover section.