KERNSAFE - iSCSI SAN Software and Storage Virtualization

A Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) is a disk image format that can contain the same structures as a physical hard drive, including files, folders, file systems, and partitions. KernSafe iSCSI SAN can create an iSCSI disk based on a local .vhd file. The image file is exported as an iSCSI device, and I/O requests from initiators are translated automatically into operations on the VHD file. Like a standard image file, a VHD-based device supports convenient migration, backup, and restore workflows. It also supports snapshots and Continuous Data Protection (CDP).

Creating a VHD Image File Device

Follow the steps below to create a VHD-based image device.

Step 1. Select Service->Create Target from the Storage pop-up menu in the main interface of KernSafe iSCSI SAN.

Choose Hard Disk in the iSCSI Device Type group.

Press the Next button to continue.

Choose Image File from the iSCSI Medium Type group.

Press the Next button to continue.

Step 2. Select the image type for the iSCSI disk.

Select Virtual Hard Disk in the iSCSI Image Type group.

Press Next to continue.

Step 3. Set VHD disk parameters.

In the VHD Disk Configuration window, you can either open an existing image file or create a new one. To create a new image file, choose the file location and specify the capacity.

Two image allocation options are available:

• Dynamically expanding - grows automatically according to the actual data written, which helps save disk space.
• Fixed size - allocates the full amount of disk space when the file is created.

Then press the Next button to continue.

Step 3. Set the Authorization Mode.

Select an authorization mode. If you need more information, see Authorization Mechanism.

Press the Next button to continue.

Step 4. Enter the Target Name.

Press the Finish button to complete iSCSI target creation.