Microsoft iSCSI Software Target

Microsoft has released iSCSI Software Target version 3.3, which can turn a Windows Server 2008 R2 server into an iSCSI target.  This free component provides storage over a TCP/IP network to clients using an iSCSI initiator software, such as the Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator Version 2.08 (also free) for Windows computers.  There's also an iSCSI client inside the target package.

The iSCSI Software Target version 3.3 can be downloaded at:

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=19867

Once downloaded and extracted, several folders will be present:

The 64-bit folder should include two .MSI files:

Once installed, a new shortcut will appear under the Administrative Tools folder:

Right-click iSCSI Targets and select Create iSCSI Target.

Enter a name and description for the target.

Enter the iSCSI Qualified Name (IQN) for the target.

Right-click Devices and select the Create Virtual Disk option.

Enter the path for the .VHD file.

Enter the size of the .VHD file in MB’s.

Enter a description of the .VHD file.

Add the iSCSI target created previously.

Right-click the new Device entry and select Disk Access –> Mount Read/Write.

 

At this point, clients should be able to connect to the iSCSI target.  In the example below, the free iSCSI Initiator was installed on a XP client.  The node name is on the General tab.

 

To have the client view the available target, this value was added to the server.