ESX iSCSI Software Adapter

[Jason S.]

i'll try to summarize my situation and questions as easy as i can.

 

We have (2) identical ESX hosts in this equation, but for simplicity i'll just speak about one. Each Host was recently upgraded with (2) 10Gbit NICs. These NICs are connected to (2) 10Gbit switches, which, in turn, is connected to a new 10Gbit SAN (see a trend here?)

 

Our current setup is as follows:

 

Host --> (4) 1Gb iSCSI ports --> vSwitch2 --> iSCSI Software Adapter

 

Our new setup will be:

 

Host --> (4) 1Gb iSCSI ports --> vSwitch2 --> iSCSI Software Adapter

plus

Host --> (4) 10Gb iSCSI ports --> vSwitch6 --> iSCSI Software Adapter

 

I now know that ESX only supports a single iSCSI software adapter, which is currently dedicated to the 1Gbit vSwitch. What i dont know is if it's safe or not to also add the 10Gbit ports to this same software adapter. Does ESX even care that theyre different ports/switches? Will i hose up the networking if i add those (4) new ports?

 

I am currently at the menu that says "Bind with VMKernel Network Adapter" which allows me to select 1 or all of the new 10Gbit ports. I have it set up correctly so far. I'm just not sure if it's safe to add these new ports.

 

Thanks guys!

 

[sc302]

no I don't believe it will care one bit.  as far as it is concerned you are adding more redundant paths (regardless of speed).  You should be phasing out the 1GB cards though. 

[Jason S.]

the way i look at it is the Software Adapter is just a network stack. It shouldnt care about the ports that are connected as long as theyre all dedicated to iSCSI traffic. Does that sound right?

 

Also, sc302, the 1Gbit ports currently in production are connected to an older 1Gbit SAN. We're doing an upgrade to the 10Gbit stuff (SAN included) so i need these running in parallel until i can decommission the older 1Gbit stuff.

[sc302]

that sounds correct jason.

[Jason S.]

So we were right. There's no issue adding multiple/variable connections to the iSCSI Software Adapter. I'm all up and running now! Thanks sc302.