Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Adding a LUN via FCoE
The process for adding a LUN via FCoE really depends on one key question: Are you using a
CNA where the FCoE is handled in hardware, or are you using vSphere's software-based FCoE
initiator?
In previous versions of vSphere, FCoE was supported strictly in hardware, meaning that you
could use FCoE only if you had an FCoE CNA installed in your ESXi host. In this coni gura-
tion, the CNA drivers presented the CNAs to the ESXi host as if they were Fibre Channel HBAs.
Therefore, the process of adding a LUN to an ESXi host using hardware-based FCoE was virtu-
ally identical to the process we described previously in the section “Adding a LUN via Fibre
Channel.” Because it's so similar, we won't repeat those steps here.
However, vSphere 5.0 added the ability to perform FCoE in software via an FCoE software
initiator. There is still an element of hardware support required, though; only certain network
interface cards that support partial FCoE ofl oad are supported. Refer to the
vSphere
Compatibility
Guide
or the vSphere HCL.
Assuming you have a supported NIC, the process for coni guring the software FCoE initia-
tor is twofold: Coni gure the FCoE networking and then activate the software FCoE adapter. In
Chapter 5 we explained in much greater detail the networking components, including virtual
switches and VMkernel ports, that will be used in the next few sections.
Perform the following steps to coni gure the networking for software FCoE:
1.
Log in to the vSphere Web Client, and connect to an ESXi host or to a vCenter Server
instance.
2.
Navigate to the Hosts And Clusters view.
3.
Select a host from the Navigator panel and then click the Manage tab.
4.
Select the Network subsection.
5.
Use the Add Host Networking icon to create a new vSphere Standard Switch with a
VMkernel port.
When selecting uplinks for the new vSwitch, be sure to select the NIC that supports par-
tial FCoE ofl oad. You can add multiple NICs to a single vSwitch, or you can add each
FCoE ofl oad-capable NIC to a separate vSwitch. However, once you add the NICs to a
vSwitch, don't remove them or you'll disrupt the FCoE trafi c.
For more information on creating a vSphere Standard Switch, creating a VMkernel port,
or selecting uplinks for a vSwitch, refer to Chapter 5.
➢
6.
Once you've coni gured the network, select the Storage subsection in the ESXi host
Manage tab.
(You should still be on this tab after completing the network coni guration.)
7.
Click Add New Storage Adapter icon, select Software FCoE adapter, and click OK.
