How to Configure and Manage iSCSI Storage in Proxmox for Your Virtual Machines?

[charleskaren]

Hello Everyone

I'm looking for guidance on configuring and managing iSCSI storage for virtual machines in my Proxmox environment. I'm relatively new to Proxmox and iSCSI, and I'm seeking advice from those with experience in this area.

Specifically, I have a few questions:

1. How do I set up iSCSI storage within the Proxmox web interface or via command line?
2. What considerations should I keep in mind when selecting iSCSI targets and devices for my virtual machines?
3. What are the best practices for ensuring data integrity and redundancy when using iSCSI with Proxmox?
4. Are there any common pitfalls or issues I should be aware of when working with iSCSI storage in a Proxmox cluster?
5. What performance tuning options are available when using iSCSI with Proxmox, and how can I optimize them for my virtual machines?
6. Can you recommend any monitoring tools or strategies to keep track of iSCSI storage health and performance in a Proxmox environment?
7. How can I troubleshoot and resolve common problems related to iSCSI server storage in Proxmox, such as connection issues or performance bottlenecks?

I appreciate any insights, tips, and best practices that you can share regarding iSCSI storage in the Proxmox virtualization platform.

Thank you in advance

 

[mgabriel]

1. How do I set up iSCSI storage within the Proxmox web interface or via command line?

Generally, you should start here:

• https://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/ISCSI_Multipath
• https://pve.proxmox.com/pve-docs/pve-admin-guide.html#storage_open_iscsi

It's possible to set up iSCSI by using the web interface, but I'd recommend doing this by CLI. You probably will use the CLI anyways for setting up multipathing.

1. What considerations should I keep in mind when selecting iSCSI targets and devices for my virtual machines?

• You can't use snapshots on iSCSI
• Generally, without knowing your workload or tech details, the same best practices apply to all hypervisors:
  • prefer RAID1/10, avoid RAID5/6 on your storage
  • use multiple, independent paths
• Export just one or a few big LUNs and use them as LVM physical volumes, create an LVM storage in Proxmox VE and let Proxmox manage the logical volumes for your VM disks
• use jumbo frames on your iSCSI links

1. What are the best practices for ensuring data integrity and redundancy when using iSCSI with Proxmox?

the data integrity should be left to the iSCSI backend. Or did I get you wrong?

1. Are there any common pitfalls or issues I should be aware of when working with iSCSI storage in a Proxmox cluster?

• using only a single link
• using an iSCSI storage that is too slow
• prefer one or a few bigger LUNs over having a LUN for each single disk. While both is possible, the latter is an admin nightmare. Use LVM on top of the LUNs.

1. What performance tuning options are available when using iSCSI with Proxmox, and how can I optimize them for my virtual machines?

• mtu
• bandwidth
• settings in multipath.conf
• you may use a blocksize on your iSCSI storage that depends on your VM

1. Can you recommend any monitoring tools or strategies to keep track of iSCSI storage health and performance in a Proxmox environment?

I guess any monitoring environment you currently use will do. What do you use today?

1. How can I troubleshoot and resolve common problems related to iSCSI server storage in Proxmox, such as connection issues or performance bottlenecks?

I guess that's hard to say as there can occur problems as with any system. What I can say is that normally, such a setup can run for years without any issues.

I appreciate any insights, tips, and best practices that you can share regarding iSCSI storage in the Proxmox virtualization platform.

Just follow this forum, read the (excellent) documentation and you'll be fine.

Best regards,
Marco

 

[bbgeek17]

@mgabriel covered most of your questions. Many of these answers depend on your storage capabilities.
You may find this article useful as well:
https://kb.blockbridge.com/technote/proxmox-tuning-low-latency-storage

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