Mastering iSCSI Targets and LUNs for SAN Storage on Synology NAS
Managing iSCSI targets and LUNs on Synology NAS can significantly enhance your storage infrastructure’s performance and flexibility. In this guide, we will delve into the intricacies of configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting iSCSI targets and LUNs on your Synology NAS device to optimize SAN storage management.
Configuring iSCSI Targets and LUNs on Synology NAS
- Log in to your Synology DSM interface.
- Navigate to the Storage Manager and select iSCSI Manager.
- Create a new iSCSI target and assign it a unique name.
- Set up LUNs within the target, specifying the size and other relevant parameters.
- Initiate the iSCSI target and LUNs to make them accessible to connected clients.
Monitoring and Optimization
- Regularly monitor the performance of your iSCSI targets and LUNs using DSM’s built-in monitoring tools.
- Implement best practices such as enabling jumbo frames and enabling CHAP authentication for enhanced security.
- Optimize your iSCSI setup by balancing workloads across LUNs and fine-tuning settings based on performance metrics.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- If you encounter connectivity issues, ensure that your network configuration is correct and that the iSCSI initiator settings match the target settings.
- For performance issues, check for bottlenecks in your network or storage infrastructure and adjust settings accordingly.
- If LUNs become inaccessible, verify that the permissions and mappings are correctly configured.
Benefits of iSCSI for Storage Virtualization
iSCSI offers a cost-effective and scalable solution for storage virtualization, allowing IT environments to efficiently manage and allocate storage resources. By leveraging iSCSI on Synology NAS, organizations can achieve greater flexibility and performance in their storage infrastructure.
Synology DSM Features for iSCSI
Synology DSM provides a user-friendly interface for configuring and managing iSCSI targets and LUNs. Features such as snapshot replication, thin provisioning, and SSD caching enhance the functionality and performance of iSCSI storage on Synology NAS.
Overcoming Challenges
- One common challenge is ensuring proper network configuration for iSCSI traffic. Verify that VLANs, MTU settings, and switch configurations are optimized for iSCSI.
- Another challenge is optimizing storage performance. Utilize Synology’s Storage Analyzer tool to identify and address performance bottlenecks.
- In cases of data corruption or integrity issues, consider implementing data checksums and RAID protection for data reliability.

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