iSCSI (DroboPro and DroboElite Only)

iSCSI offers the highest performance available on DroboPro and DroboElite. For an iSCSI primer and overview of how you can use this technology, please visit www.drobo.com/resources/iscsi. If you are using your DroboPro/DroboElite with VMware, please see our VMware Best Practices and Configuration Guides: DroboPro and VMware ESX/ESXi 3.5 and DroboElite and VMware vSphere 4. These guides offer valuable information and step-by-step instructions for setting up your DroboPro/DroboElite in a VMware environment.

Configurations

There are three basic configurations you can use to set up your DroboPro or DroboElite:

Configuration 1: DroboPro/DroboElite connected to a switch that is NOT directly connected to a network
Configuration 2: DroboPro/DroboElite connected to a switch that is connected to a network
Configuration 3: Direct-connect to a computer

The following apply to all configurations:

Drobo Dashboard is required for iSCSI setup. Please install Drobo Dashboard with the CD that came with your DroboPro/DroboElite or from www.drobo.com/support/updates.
To get the best performance with your iSCSI connection, you should use a Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) network card. A Fast Ethernet (10/100) network card will provide poor iSCSI performance.
A standard Ethernet cable gives you the best iSCSI performance. One is included with your DroboPro and two are included in the original DroboElite package.
Ensure your firewall is configured to allow inbound and outbound network connections for the Drobo Dashboard application (iSCSI uses port 3260).
Windows XP 64-bit and Windows Server 2003 64-bit computers should have .NET 2.0 (or later) framework installed in order to connect to DroboPro/DroboElite.
An iSCSI initiator is required when connecting over Ethernet. On Windows computers, we use Microsoft’s iSCSI initiator that is included in Vista, Windows 7, Server 2008 and beyond. (If you are running earlier versions, Drobo Dashboard will install the Microsoft iSCSI initiator.) For Macs, we provide our own iSCSI initiator, installed by the Drobo Dashboard installer. If you are running Linux, please consult our website, www.drobo.com/linux for further information. ESX users can use the iSCSI initiator provided by VMware. For more information on Linux and ESX please visit the Data Robotics support site at www.drobo.com/support.
If you are using a computer that is running Windows Vista, SP1 (or later) must be installed. Otherwise, Drobo Dashboard cannot discover DroboPro/DroboElite.

Configuration 1: DroboPro/DroboElite connected to a switch that is NOT directly connected to a network:

If you have a 1 Gbps switch, you can connect DroboPro/DroboElite and your designated computer (in other words, the mount point) to the same switch.
YYou can connect multiple DroboPro/DroboElite storage arrays to the same switch, provided the devices and your computer(s) each have unique static IP addresses (see below).
You will need to assign an IP address to the iSCSI port(s) in this configuration. Use the USB administration connection to configure the port(s) on DroboElite. On DroboPro, use the USB port before you connect the iSCSI cable.
Please note that depending on the amount of traffic using your switch, connecting it in this manner might impact the performance.

Setup:

Once DroboPro/DroboElite has connected successfully with the USB connection (including successful discovery by Drobo Dashboard), click Advanced Controls -> Tools -> Settings -> iSCSI.
Choose a unique IP address for each iSCSI connection and each DroboPro/DroboElite you are configuring and set any other configuration settings.
After saving your settings, safely shut your DroboElite down and disconnect the USB cable.
Connect one end of the supplied Ethernet cable to the iSCSI (Ethernet) port on the back of your DroboPro/DroboElite. Then connect the other end to the switch. Repeat for the second iSCSI port (DroboElite only) if applicable.
Plug in the power cord and flip the power toggle switch on the rear left side of DroboPro/DroboElite.
After the boot sequence, Drobo Dashboard should recognize your DroboPro(s)/DroboElite(s) and you can begin the volume setup and formatting process.

Configuration 2: DroboPro/DroboElite connected to a switch that is connected to a network:

You will need to assign an IP address to the iSCSI port(s) in this configuration. Use the USB administration connection to configure the port(s) on DroboElite. On DroboPro, use the USB port before you connect the iSCSI cable.

Be aware that a DroboPro/DroboElite in this configuration might impact the network performance. Also, the performance of the DroboPro/DroboElite might be impacted by the network traffic.

Setup:

Once DroboPro/DroboElite has connected successfully with the USB connection (including successful discovery by Drobo Dashboard), click Advanced Controls -> Tools -> Settings -> iSCSI.
Choose a unique IP address for each iSCSI port and each DroboPro/DroboElite you are configuring, making sure the addresses are outside the range the DHCP server might assign and also on a subnet that is reachable by your computer (where Drobo Dashboard is running).
After saving your settings, safely shut down your DroboPro/DroboElite and disconnect the USB cable.
Connect one end of the supplied Ethernet cable to the iSCSI (Ethernet) port on the back of your DroboPro/DroboElite. Then connect the other end to the router or switch.
Plug in the power cord and flip the power toggle switch on the rear left side of DroboPro/DroboElite.
After the boot sequence, Drobo Dashboard should recognize DroboPro/DroboElite and you can begin the volume setup and formatting process.

Configuration 3: Direct-connect to a computer:

If you are going to connect your DroboPro/DroboElite directly to your computer's Ethernet interface, make sure your computer’s network port is set up to use DHCP to automatically assign an IP Address.
If your computer has only one Ethernet connection and you are already using it to connect to a network, then you will need to purchase and install a standard (1 Gbps) Ethernet add-on card that is compatible with your computer. A regular network card is required, as Data Robotics does not support iSCSI-specific cards. (Please see Configuration 1 or 2 as an alternative that does not require you to purchase and install an additional Ethernet card.)

Setup:

Connect one end of the supplied Ethernet cable to the iSCSI (Ethernet) port on the back of your DroboPro/DroboElite. Then connect the other end to an available network port on your computer.
Plug the supplied power cord into the power port on the back of your DroboPro/DroboElite.
Plug in the power cord and flip the power toggle switch on the rear left side of DroboPro/DroboElite.
After the boot sequence, Drobo Dashboard should recognize DroboPro/DroboElite and you can begin the volume setup and formatting process.