To use iSCSI storage, first configure the storage target to present a LUN to the intended host initiators. Then configure each hypervisor’s network and initiator settings, discover the LUN, and verify its paths before placing VM storage on it. ESXi uses a software iSCSI adapter and can create a VMFS datastore; Proxmox VE can connect through its Open-iSCSI backend and layer LVM over the LUN.
Before configuring either hypervisor
iSCSI carries block storage from a target to an initiator. The storage system must export a LUN and authorize the intended host before ESXi or Proxmox VE can use it. On the target, identify the portal address and target IQN, configure access for the host’s iSCSI IQN or other supported identity, and map the intended LUN to that host. Confirm whether authentication such as CHAP is required.
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Plan the network paths as well as the storage layer. Use the release-specific compatibility guidance for your storage system and hypervisor; the configuration references below explain setup, not compatibility endorsements for particular appliances.
Configure iSCSI on VMware ESXi
1. Prepare the iSCSI network
In the ESXi host networking configuration, create or select a vSwitch or distributed vSwitch for iSCSI traffic and add one or more VMkernel adapters with static addresses on the intended iSCSI subnet. If you use jumbo frames, set a consistent MTU across the VMkernel adapter, switching path, and storage target. Broadcom’s workflow covers ESXi 7.x and 8.x: Broadcom: Configuring iSCSI networking.
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2. Add the software iSCSI adapter and target portal
- In the host’s Storage Adapters view, add the software iSCSI adapter if the host will use software iSCSI.
- Open the adapter’s discovery or target settings and add the storage target’s portal address for dynamic discovery. Configure CHAP if required by the target.
- Rescan the adapter so ESXi queries the portal and discovers available targets and LUNs.
Use the target portal and IQN assigned by your storage system, not an example from another configuration.
3. Bind VMkernel ports only when the topology calls for it
Port binding depends on the network layout. Broadcom says to bind VMkernel ports when multiple iSCSI VMkernel ports share the same subnet. For a multi-NIC design, each iSCSI VMkernel port needs a usable, distinct physical uplink; the teaming policy must also suit the port-binding design. Broadcom’s ESXi 8.x example assigns each iSCSI port group a unique active physical adapter and sets the others to unused for that group before adding the port groups under Network Port Binding: Broadcom: Configuring software iSCSI port binding.
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Do not assume that adding multiple VMkernel adapters automatically creates independent paths. Check the uplinks and teaming configuration as well as the binding list.
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4. Rescan, verify paths, and create the datastore
- Rescan the iSCSI adapter and storage adapters.
- In the host’s storage device view, confirm the expected LUN appears and inspect its paths. The path count should match the physical redundancy you designed.
- Once the device and paths are correct, create or mount the VMFS datastore on the LUN.
For a cluster, configure the iSCSI networking and discovery portals on every ESXi host that should access the datastore, then rescan those hosts. On ESXi 8.0, an adapter can show as online before VMFS volumes are enumerated; if paths exist but the datastore does not appear, a separate VMFS rescan may be needed. See Broadcom’s iSCSI configuration guidance.
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Configure iSCSI on Proxmox VE
Install the Open-iSCSI initiator and identify the target
The Proxmox VE Administration Guide says the open-iscsi package is required for the Open-iSCSI backend and is not installed by default. The backend configuration uses a portal (an IP address or DNS name, optionally with a port) and the target IQN.
The guide’s example is:
iscsi: mynas
portal 10.10.10.1
target iqn.2006-01.openfiler.com:tsn.dcb5aaaddd
content noneThese are illustrative values from the guide; replace them with the portal and IQN provided by your storage system. The guide describes the Open-iSCSI backend in its iSCSI initiator section.
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Use LVM when you need Proxmox volume management on the LUN
For LVM over an iSCSI LUN, keep the base iSCSI storage entry from allocating VM volumes by setting content none, then configure the LVM storage plugin to manage volumes on the LUN. The iSCSI entry connects to the block target; it does not itself provide an allocation or deletion management interface. Proxmox notes that LUN creation and removal are handled on the target side.
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- Add an iSCSI storage entry:
pvesm add iscsi <STORAGE_ID> --portal <HOST[:PORT]> --target <TARGET> - Scan a portal for possible targets:
pvesm scan iscsi <HOST[:PORT]>
The command reference cited here is for Proxmox VE 7.4 and describes storage.cfg as the shared storage configuration file. Check the current Administration Guide for exact command behavior on your installed release: Proxmox VE 7.4 pvesm reference.
When to consider iscsidirect
The same reference describes iscsidirect as a user-mode backend that requires libiscsi-bin. It can be used for VM images, but it cannot use LVM on top of the LUN. Consider it only if that limitation fits your storage design, and verify its behavior against the documentation for your installed Proxmox VE release.
Quick Recap
Troubleshoot missing devices, LUNs, or paths
- No ESXi device or paths: Check that the iSCSI VMkernel port is configured and that it is included in Network Port Binding when the topology requires binding. Confirm network reachability to the portal before rescanning. See Broadcom’s iSCSI networking guidance.
- The portal responds, but no LUN appears: Verify the portal and target IQN, host IQN or IP permissions in the storage access controls, multi-host access settings where needed, CHAP credentials, and LUN mapping on the target. Correct the target-side presentation before rescanning. Broadcom specifically calls out checking host IQN presentation: Broadcom: Troubleshooting iSCSI LUN presentation.
- Fewer paths appear than expected: Check that each iSCSI VMkernel port has a distinct usable physical uplink and that the vSwitch teaming policy supports the port-binding layout. Compare the discovered paths with the intended physical redundancy. See Broadcom’s port-binding guidance.
- ESXi 8 reports the adapter online, but no datastore appears: Check whether the device and paths are enumerated. If they are, try a VMFS-only rescan to prompt volume discovery: Broadcom’s iSCSI configuration guidance.
- Proxmox sees a LUN, but volume allocation is unclear: Treat the iSCSI portal/target entry as the connection to the block LUN, and use the LVM layer for managed volumes when that is the chosen design. Use the storage target’s own tools to create or remove LUNs, as described in the Proxmox VE Administration Guide.
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