iSNS
S e n d d o c u m e n t a t i o n c o m m e n t s t o m d s f e e d b a c k - d o c @ c i s c o . c o m
The ESI retry count is the number of times the iSNS server queries iSNS clients for their entity status.
The default ESI retry count is 3. The client sends the server a response to indicate that it is still alive. If
the client fails to respond after the configured number of retries, the client is deregistered from the server.
To configure the ESI retry count for an iSNS server, follow these steps:
Command
Step 1
switch# config t
switch(config)#
Step 2
switch(config)# isns esi retries 6
switch(config)# no isns esi
retries 6
Configuring the Registration Period
The iSNS client specifies the registration period with the iSNS Server. The iSNS Server keeps the
registration active until the end of this period. If there are no commands from the iSNS client during this
period, then the iSNS server removes the client registration from its database.
If the iSNS client does not specify a registration period, the iSNS server assumes a default value of 0,
which keeps the registration active indefinitely. You can also manually configure the registration period
on the MDS iSNS Server.
To configure the registration period on an iSNS Server, follow these steps:
Command
Step 1
switch# config t
switch(config)#
Step 2
switch(config)# isns registration
period 300
switch(config)# no isns
registration period
iSNS Client Registration and Deregistration
An iSNS client cannot query the iSNS server until it has registered. You can use the show isns database
command to display all registered iSNS clients and their associated configuration.
iSNS client deregistration can occur either explicitly or when the iSNS server detects that it can no
longer reach the client (through ESI monitoring).
iSNS client registration and deregistration result in status change notifications (SCNs) being generated
to all interested iSNS clients.
Target Discovery
iSCSI initiators discover targets by issuing queries to the iSNS server. The server supports DevGetNext
requests to search the list of targets and DevAttrQuery to determine target and portal details, such as the
IP address or port number to which to connect.
On receiving a query request from the iSCSI client, the iSNS server queries the Fibre Channel Name
Server (FCNS) to obtain a list of Fibre Channel targets that are accessible by the querying initiator. The
result of this query depends on zoning configuration currently active and current configuration(s) of the
Cisco MDS 9000 Family CLI Configuration Guide
43-86
Purpose
Enters configuration mode.
Configures the ESI to retry contacting the client up to 6 times.
The range is 1 to 10.
Reverts to the default value of 3 retries.
Purpose
Enters configuration mode.
Configures the registration to be active for 300 seconds. The
permissible registration period is between 0 - 65536 seconds.
Reverts to the client registered timeout value, or the default
value of 0.
Chapter 43
Configuring iSCSI
OL-18084-01, Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 4.x