A datastore is an independent storage space for a virtual machine's physical data. This article will guide you through the process of configuring LUNs as datastores in your VMware environment.

• Before you start
• Create a VMkernel adapter
• Configure the software iSCSI adapter
• Establish iSCSI connections
• Set up the VMFS datastore on your Synology NAS

The instructions in this article are based on VMware vSphere 6.7. If you are using other versions, refer to the links provided in each section.

Before you start

Make sure you have:

1. Set up a Synology NAS that supports iSCSI.
2. Installed Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM).¹
3. Configured the iSCSI settings on DSM.²
4. Installed the VMware vSphere Client on your computer.
5. Set up a VMware ESXi host.

Create a VMkernel adapter³

1. Log in to the vSphere Client and navigate to the host.
2. On the Configure tab, expand Networking, and select VMkernel adapters.
3. Click Add Networking.
4. Select VMkernel Network Adapter as the connection type.
5. Select the target device.
   • If you have created a standard switch, choose Select an existing standard switch. Click BROWSE and choose a previously created standard switch.
   • If you haven't created a standard switch, choose New standard switch, and set up the MTU⁴. In the next step, assign free physical network adapters to the new switch.
6. Configure the Port properties.
7. Specify the IPv4 settings for the VMkernel.
8. Review your settings selections and click FINISH.

Configure the software iSCSI adapter⁵

1. On the Configure tab, expand Storage, and select Storage Adapters.
2. Click Add Storage Adapter.
3. Select Add software iSCSI adapter and click OK to enable the software iSCSI adapter.⁶
4. Click on the Network Port Bonding tab.
5. Select a VMkernel adapter to bind with the iSCSI adapter.
6. Click OK.

Establish iSCSI connections⁷

1. On the Configure tab, expand Storage, and click Storage Adapters. Select the adapter, whose name should be vmhba# (e.g., vmhba1).
2. Configure the discovery method.
   • Dynamic Discovery
     1. Click Dynamic Discovery and click Add.
     2. Enter the IP address or DNS name of your Synology NAS and click OK.
     3. Rescan the iSCSI adapter.
   • Static Discovery
     1. Click Static Discovery and click Add.
     2. Enter the target's information and click OK.
     3. Rescan the iSCSI adapter.
3. Click Advanced Options > Edit... and modify the following settings for better iSCSI connection stability.
   • LoginTimeout: Change the value to 60.
   • NoopTimeout: Change the value to 30.
   • DelayedAck: Change the status to false.

Set up the VMFS datastore on your Synology NAS⁸

1. Right-click on your VMware ESXi host, select Storage > New Datastore....
2. Select VMFS and click NEXT.
3. Name the datastore and select a LUN.⁹
4. Specify the datastore version.¹⁰
5. Review your settings and click FINISH.
6. You can find the new, ready-to-use datastore on the Datastores tab.