Microsoft iSCSI Software Target supports the use of Internet Storage Name Service (iSNS) to manage access for iSCSI initiators and iSCSI targets. iSNS is a repository of all network iSCSI initiators and iSCSI targets that enables centralized storage management in a heterogeneous storage network. A management application works with the iSNS server to control which iSCSI initiators have access to each iSCSI target.

iSCSI Software Target automatically registers the iSCSI target with the iSNS server and queries the iSNS server for the iSCSI initiators. iSCSI Software Target then makes the names of these iSCSI initiators available for assignment of virtual disks and configuring security.

iSCSI Software Target uses Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to dynamically discover iSNS servers in a network. You can also specify one or more specific iSNS servers to be used to manage access for iSCSI initiators and iSCSI targets.

For more information about iSNS, see Microsoft iSNS Server 3.0.

Membership in the local Administrators group, or equivalent, is the minimum required to complete this procedure. Review the details in "Additional considerations" in this topic.

To add an iSNS server

  1. In Microsoft iSCSI Software Target, right-click Microsoft iSCSI Software Target, and then click Properties.

  2. On the iSNS tab, click Add.

  3. Type the DNS name or the IP address of the iSNS server, and then click OK.

To remove an iSNS server

  1. In Microsoft iSCSI Software Target, right-click Microsoft iSCSI Software Target, and then click Properties.

  2. On the iSNS tab, select the iSNS server you want to remove, and then click Remove.

  3. When prompted to confirm the removal, click Yes, and then click OK.

Additional considerations

  • You must be a member of the local Administrators group to perform these tasks.

  • To open iSCSI Software Target, click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Microsoft iSCSI Software Target.

  • Another way to open iSCSI Software Target is to click Start, click Run, and then type iscsitarget.msc.

Additional references

  • Managing Network Connections
  • Managing Backup and Recovery for Virtual Disks