(Software iSCSI) Configuring SAN boot on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

You can configure a SAN boot LUN on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. Doing this requires multiple steps and close attention to the requirements in each step.

1. Log in to the storage system console or the Web interface of the storage system.
2. When you initiate the installation, specify Boot Option as follows: linux withiscsi=1 netsetup=1
3. In the iSCSI Initiator Overview page, select the Service tab and enter the Target IP address and the iSCSI initiator name.
   Note: You should ensure that you associate this IQN with the appropriate privileges on the storage controller.
4. On the storage controller, create an igroup with the initiator name that you provided in the previous step.
5. Create a LUN on the storage system on which you can create the root partition, and map it to the igroup.
6. Return to the host screen. Select the Connected Targets tab and click Add.
7. On the iSCSI Initiator Discovery page, perform the following steps:
   1. Specify the IP address of the storage system.
   2. Specify the port. The default is 3260.
   3. Specify the credentials if you are using an authentication mechanism.
   4. Click Next.
8. In the list of storage systems that are discovered, click Connect for each one. You might also have to do this for the authentication credentials also.
   Note: During the installation, you should enable only one path to the root LUN.

   Click Next.

9. Verify that the value for Connected is true for all the targets and click Next.
   The Connected Targets pane lists all the targets.
10. Set the Start-up mode to onboot by using the Toggle Start-up button, and click Finish.
11. In the Installation Settings page, select the Expert tab.
12. Click Partitioning.
13. Select the Create Custom Partition Setup option.
    Note: You can view the list of local disks and LUNs.
14. Select the Custom Partitioning (for experts) option.
15. In the Expert Partitioner page, select the LUN where you want to install the root file system.
16. Create the root file system on the selected LUN and select the mount point as /.
17. Click the Fstab Options button.
18. Select the Mount by Device ID option.
19. Ensure that you have the _netdev, nofail keyword in the Arbitrary Option Value text box, and click OK.
20. In the Create a Primary Partition page, click OK.
21. Create a SWAP partition.
    Note: You can create a SWAP partition on the same LUN that contains the root partition or on a different LUN.

    If you are using the software suspend functionality, you should ensure that the SWAP partition is on a local disk.

22. Create the /boot partition.

    You can create a /boot partition on a locally attached disk or use a PXE server to load the kernel boot image.

23. After you return to the Expert Partitioner page, review the configuration. Click Finish.
24. In the Installation Settings page, click the Booting tab.
25. Select Default Label.
26. Click Edit.
27. For the Optional Kernel Command Line Parameter, ensure that all references to installer arguments are removed.

    The parameter should look similar to the following: resume=/dev/sda1 splash=silent showopts

28. Click OK.
29. Click the Boot Loader Installation tab.
30. In the Boot Loader Location pane, select the Boot from Master Boot Record option.

    Click Finish. Doing this returns you to the Installation Settings page.

31. Review the configuration settings and click Accept. The Confirm Installation page is displayed.
32. Click Install and follow the prompts to complete the installation.