The iSCSI initiator virtual machine is created in the same manner as a regular virtual machine. Unlike other clustering methods, you do not modify the virtual machine's configuration file (.vmx) manually in order to enable clustering.

The virtual disk used to store the guest operating system and clustering software for each virtual machine (node) in the cluster does not have to be a preallocated virtual disk, nor does it have to be a SCSI virtual disk.

You should configure the virtual machine with at least two virtual network adapters — one to communicate with other iSCSI initiator nodes and the other to connect to the iSCSI target and to the Internet. As an option, you could configure the virtual machine with three virtual network adapters — the first to communicate with other iSCSI initiator nodes, the second to connect to the iSCSI target and the third to the Internet.

For the virtual network adapter that communicates with the other cluster nodes, you should configure it to use bridged networking if the cluster nodes are located on different GSX Server hosts; otherwise, if the nodes are on the same host, you can use host-only networking.

To create an iSCSI initiator virtual machine, complete the following steps:

1. Log on to your GSX Server host as the user who will own the virtual machine.

2. Launch a VMware Virtual Machine Console and create a new virtual machine (for information on creating a new virtual machine, see Creating a New Virtual Machine). Choose the settings you want (for example, the size of the virtual disk or the amount of memory), but make sure you specify bridged networking for the virtual machine.

3. Open the virtual machine settings editor. Choose VM > Settings.

4. Add a second virtual network adapter. For more information, see Adding and Modifying Virtual Network Adapters. Again, make sure you specify bridged networking for the adapter.

If you choose, you can add a third virtual network adapter to the virtual machine.

5. Select the virtual network adapter you intend to use to communicate with the iSCSI target. Under Adapter type, select vmxnet.

6. Click OK to save your settings and close the virtual machine settings editor.

7. Power on the virtual machine and install the guest operating system and VMware Tools. See Installing VMware Tools.

8. Install the iSCSI initiator software.

You are finished creating the iSCSI initiator virtual machine. Repeat these steps for each iSCSI initiator, or else use sysprep.exe to clone the first node. Then create the iSCSI target virtual machine.