====== Installing CentOS to an iSCSI target ======

The CentOS installation process is somewhat fragile, and the built-in support for iSCSI installation does not function properly (except in very limited circumstances).  However, it is possible to work around this limitation and install to an iSCSI target.

===== Starting the installation =====

Start a CentOS installation in the usual way, and proceed up to the point of the partitioning screen:

{{ screenshots:centos_iscsi_install_partitioning.png?400x300 |CentOS partitioning screen}}

Click on //Advanced storage configuration//, and add an iSCSI target.  For the target IP address, enter //127.0.0.1//:

{{ screenshots:centos_iscsi_install_gui_add_target.png?400x300 |CentOS iSCSI installation GUI}}

You will see the message "Initializing iSCSI initiator" appear for several seconds, then the display will return to the partitioning screen.

===== Connecting to the iSCSI target =====

{{ screenshots:centos_iscsi_install_connect.png?320x200|CentOS iSCSI installation connection to disk}}

Press //Ctrl-Alt-F2//.  This should take you to a root shell prompt.  Connect to the iSCSI target to be used for installation:

    sh-3.2# iscsiadm -m discovery -t sendtargets -p my.target.dns.name:3260

where //my.target.dns.name// is the DNS name (or IP address) of your iSCSI target.  You will see a list of available target IQNs.  Log in to the installation target:

    sh-3.2# iscsiadm -m node -T iqn.2007-08.name.dns.target.my:iscsiboot -l

where //iqn.2007-08.name.dns.target.my:iscsiboot// is the IQN of the target that you want to install to.

You are now logged in to the installation iSCSI target.

===== Completing the installation =====

Press //Ctrl-Alt-F6// to return to the graphical installation process.  Click on //Back//.  This will cause the installer to rescan for disks, and the iSCSI target should now show up in the list of available disks:

{{ screenshots:centos_iscsi_install_partitioning_recap.png?400x300 |CentOS partitioning screen}}

Continue with the rest of the installation as usual.

Make a note of the iSCSI target IQN that you installed to (//iqn.2007-08.name.dns.target.my:iscsiboot// in the above example).  You are now ready to

  * [[sanboot:iscsi_boot|Boot from your iSCSI target image]]