How to configure Multi-Path iSCSI I/O on Windows 2012 R2

How to configure Multi-Path iSCSI I/O on Windows 2012 R2 - Step by step with screenshots

Situation: The client has a Windows 2003 server using iSCSI volume for file sharing. They plan to move the iSCSI volume to a Windows 2012 R2 VM on Windows 2012 R2 Hyper-V. Here is how to move the iSCSI volume form one server to another.

1. On Hyper-V, add a new Virtual Switch for Windows 2012 R2 VM to access iSCSI device.

2. On The VM Settings, add the created virtual switch as iSCSINIC to the Windows 2012 R2 file server.

3. On The VM's network settings, assign static IP address for iSCSI subnet without default gateway and DNS.

4. Also on Network Advanced Settings, disable File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks and Client for Microsoft Networks.

5. On VM/Windows 2012 R2 file server, add Multipath I/O feature.

6. Now, it is the time to enable MPIO by opening MPIO from the Server Manager Tools.

7. Click Discover Multi-paths tab. Check Add support for iSCSI devices and then Add.

8. You should see the Device Hardware ID under MPIO Devices. It may require to restart the server.

9. After restarting the Windows 2012 R2 server, it is time to setup MPIO on iSCSI. Run iSCSI Initial. Enter iSCSI Target

IP address, for example 10.255.255.10 which is our EqualLogic SAN. Click Quick Connect. Highlight the volume you want to add to the server, click Connect.

10. Under the Target, highlight the volume you connected, and then Properties. Click Add session. Check Enable Multi-path and the click Advanced. In Advanced Settings, choose Microsoft iSCSI Initiator as Local adapter.

11. In the Advanced Settings, choose IP address for the initiator IP. Note: do 10 and 11 on all your sessions.

12. Click Devices under the Properties. In Devices, click MPIO. In MPIO, chose round Robin.

13. Click OK to save the settings.

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