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Home > Knowledge Base > Tutorials > How to use iSCSI Targets on Mac Computers

How to use iSCSI Targets on Mac Computers

Overview

SAN - Storage Area Network is an effective solution for enterprise to overcome their challenges in dealing with more complex projects of which ever expanding file sizes in recent year. Due to the fact that SAN is considerably higher entry-costs in compare with majority networking storage protocols, small business industries are tending towards iSCSI – Internet Small Computer System Interface as an alternative way to leverage with limited computer equipment and lower entry-costs when implementing SAN into their business environment. With benefit of iSCSI, Mac OS X users are numerously adopting the thinking in practice.

The following article will guide you to use Synology NAS for iSCSI solution onto a Mac-based computer.

Contents

  1. Before You Start
  2. Mount iSCSI Targets on Macs
  3. Format the iSCSI Targets for use on Macs
  4. Dismount iSCSI Targets on Mac Computers

1. Before You Start

  • Hardware installation for Synology DiskStation
  • Software installation for Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM, web-based operating system of DiskStation).
  • Set up a volume. (See here)
  • Set up iSCSI Targets. (see here)

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2. Mount iSCSI Targets on Macs

Note: At the time this article was written, there is no Apple-branded iSCSI Initiator software for current Lion or Snow Leopard operating systems. There are iSCSI Initiator Tools available from third parties. This guide will utilize an iSCSI Initiator available here.

For best reliability of accessing Virtual Storage, it's best to eject the iSCSI Target prior to having either the Mac Computer going to sleep, or having the DiskStation hibernate the hard drives. Alternatively, the power management of DiskStation and the Mac computer can be disabled to avoid ejecting the iSCSI Target.

Use GlobalSAN to mount iSCSI Target:

  1. Open the GlobalSAN from System Preference.
  2. Click the lock to make changes.
    • Click on the + icon
    • Select Portal/Group.
  3. Add DiskStation which is hosting iSCSI Targets.
    • Add the IP Address or DNS name of the DiskStation.
    • Click on Add.
  4. Browse iSCSI Targets of the DiskStation.
    • Click on the + icon.
    • Click on Target.
  5. Connect to the iSCSI Targets.
    • Select the iSCSI Target to be used.
    • Click on Connect.
  6. If CHAP is used, enter CHAP information before connecting the iSCSI targets.
    • Click on Authentication.
    • Click on Challenge Handshake Authentication (CHAP).
    • Fill out both user and target authentications
    • Click OK
  7. The connection is now active, as indicated by Connected.

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    3. Format the iSCSI Targets for use on Macs

    After a iSCSI Target has been mounted on a Mac computer, it will have to be formatted before it can be used. A prompt will be displayed to initialize the newly installed hard drive.

    1. Click on Initialize to proceed.
    2. Proceed with hard drive partitioning:
      • Select the new iSCSI Virtual Disk.
      • Click on Partition.
      • Select a Volume Scheme.
      • Enter a Name for the Volume.
      • Click Apply.
    3. Acknowledge that the partition process will begin.
      • Click on Partition.
    4. The Mac will take a few moments to process the partitioning of the new drive.
    5. A New Volume has been created.
    6. A new volume will also be present on the Desktop, indicating that the new drive is ready to be used.

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    4. Dismount iSCSI Targets on Mac Computers

    This will guide administrators to safely dismount or eject iSCSI Targets from Mac Computers. Save and close all applications, open documents, etc, which are associated or have used the iSCSI Target beforehand.

    1. Eject the iSCSI Target from the Desktop or from Finder.
    2. Open the GlobalSAN from System Preferences, and click on Targets
      • Click on the arrow icon.
      • Select the iSCSI Target to be dismounted.
      • Click on Disconnect.
    3. The Mac has successfully dismounted or ejected the iSCSI Target, and is no longer accessing it.

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    2012-09-17 16:38:10

    Tags :

    Business ApplicationMacStorage ManagementiSCSI

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