NAS with ESOS and Windows Server

Use iSCSI to mount a NFS over Ethernet

General

We will create a Network File System for our Windows Server 2019 by using the opensource Storage Platform ESOS.

Physical Environment

Requirements

USB Stick >4 GB
Switch (Ethernet)
Server/Storage with multiple Disks
ESOS zip file: Download here
Windows Server 2019

Installation

First we have to create a bootable USB Stick with ESOS. I made a video about the ESOS installation: How to install ESOS Storage.

Unzip the .zip file. Plug in your USB Stick and check with lsscsi where your USB Stick is located. Start the installation and type in the location of the USB Stick e.g. /dev/sda when prompt.

unzip esos-master_7842102_dgvszq.zip
lsscsi
sudo umount /dev/sda1 #remove the logical disk from your system
cd esos-master_7842102_dgvszq/
sudo ./install.sh
/dev/sda

Put the USB Stick in your Storage/Server and change the boot order in the UEFI or BIOS settings so it gets booted from the USB Stick. Now the Server will boot to the USB Stick and the ESOS GUI will appear. The USB Stick is your Storage Controller so every configuration will be saved on the USB Stick.

I will only configure the virtual enviromnent but it's pretty much the same except that you add the physical Disks to an Array and not the virtual Disks.

Virtual Environment

Requirements

VMWare ESXi
vSwitch
ESOS ISO file: Download here
Windows Server 2019 ISO file

The advantage of a NAS with iSCSI is that you don't need any special HBA's or CNA's or Fibre Switches. The whole communication between the Host and the Storage is done through iSCSI a protocol to transport SCSI Commands over ethernet. So the only thing you need is an ethernet connection between the target (ESOS) and the initiator (WIN2019).

I created a vSwitch (called VM Network) in ESXi and both VMs are connected to it.

I also recommend to use the VMWare Remote Console (VMRC) Download here when you access the Windows Server 2019 VM.

Installation

First we create the ESOS VM with two additional Disks to create a RAID. Alt text

Then we create the Windows Server 2019 VM. Both VMS are in the same local network. Alt text

Start the ESOS VM and install it. Credentials are: root/esos

THE GUI will appear after login. Navigation is with Keyboard Shortcuts (yellow letters). Alt text

Configuration

First configure the Network Settings. Press S -> Network Settings. Now you can also use SSH to access ESOS. Alt text

Create the RAID. Press O -> Add Array. Alt text

Create the File System and mount it. Press F -> Add File System. Alt text

Create the virtual Disk. Press F -> Add VDisk File Alt text

Add the iSCSI Target. Press T -> Add iSCSI Target Alt text

Enable the iSCSI Target. Press T -> Enable/Disable Target Alt text

Create a Group. Press H -> Add Group Alt text

Add the SCST Device to the Filesytem. Press D -> Add Device Alt text

Add the SCST Device to the Host Group. Press D -> Map to Host Group Alt text

Now the next step is to add the iSCSI Initiator (Windows Server 2019). So we will first configure the Windows Server.

I installed the Windows Server with the Desktop Environment from the ISO file.

First we will configure the network settings and ping the ESOS VM (192.168.15.91). It has to be reachable. Alt text

Active the iSCSI Initiator. Go under Tools -> iSCSI Initiator and click yes when prompt. Alt text

In the iSCSI initiator Properties make sure the system found the right portal (ESOS VM) to look for targets and check the iSCSI initiator Name. Alt text

Copy/Paste the iSCSI initiator Name to the ESOS VM. Click H -> Add initiator. Alt text

Back in the Windows Server VM type in the IP of the ESOS VM and click on Quick connect. In ESOS VM the Iniciator should now appear under Sessions. Alt text