OpenSolaris

Heads up: iSCSI Boot support on x86

Date: Sun, 07 Dec 2008 17:13:19 +0800
From: Ran Jack Meng <Jack.Meng at sun dot com>
To: onnv-gate at onnv dot eng dot sun dot com, on-all at sun dot com
Subject: Heads up: iSCSI Boot support on x86

The putback of:

 PSARC/2008/427 iSCSI Boot
 PSARC/2008/640	iSCSI With DHCP

 6701045 iSCSI boot on x86
 6751246 dhcp release the lease before sync is committed on iSCSI disk

provides a new feature with Solaris x86 - booting from an iSCSI target.

This feature can be used to boot Solaris from an iSCSI target on an x86
host if an iBFT-capable NIC is installed/configured there.

A list of iBFT-capable NICs from Intel is at,
http://www.intel.com/support/network/adapter/pro100/sb/CS-028681.htm

However currently you may still need to manual update the flash on these NICS
to enable iSCSI boot. Refer to following link for details,
http://www.intel.com/network/connectivity/products/iscsiboot.htm
Sun is actively working with Intel and other vendors to improve this process.

You may need an SXCE B104 X86 CD/DVD image to gracefully experience this feature.

Here are links to guidelines about installing Solaris onto an iSCSI target
with legacy installer and then booting from there.

http://wikis.sun.com/display/OpenSolarisInfo/iSCSI+Boot
http://blogs.sun.com/cancel/entry/how_to_install_solaris_x86

Please file CR related to this feature under solaris/kernel/driver-iscsi
to track issues or request improvements.

Also you're welcome to post topics related to iSCSI boot on OpenSolaris Storage forum:
http://www.opensolaris.org/jive/forum.jspa?forumID=94

Thanks
Jack