iSCSI on Debian/Ubuntu - Debian/Ubuntu-Specific Considerations

Linux
Audience
Public
Product
FlashBlade
FlashArray
Technology Integrations
Linux
Source Type
Documentation

Debian:

  • Stable, conservative release cycle
  • Uses traditional /etc/network/interfaces or netplan (11+)
  • AppArmor available but not enabled by default
  • Uses iptables or nftables for firewall

Ubuntu:

  • More frequent releases (LTS every 2 years)
  • Uses netplan by default (Server 18.04+)
  • AppArmor enabled by default
  • Uses UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall)
  • Desktop uses NetworkManager

Recommended versions:

  • Debian: 11 (Bullseye) or later
  • Ubuntu: 20.04 LTS, 22.04 LTS, or 24.04 LTS

Update system: 

# Update package lists
sudo apt update

# Upgrade packages
sudo apt upgrade -y

# Dist upgrade (if needed)
sudo apt dist-upgrade -y

Essential packages: 

# Core iSCSI and multipath tools
sudo apt install -y \
    open-iscsi \
    multipath-tools \
    lvm2 \
    sg3-utils

# Performance monitoring tools
sudo apt install -y \
    sysstat \
    iotop \
    iftop \
    htop \
    linux-tools-generic

# Network tools
sudo apt install -y \
    ethtool \
    iproute2 \
    iputils-ping \
    dnsutils \
    netcat

# Optional: For netplan
sudo apt install -y netplan.io

Verify installation: 

# Check iSCSI initiator
iscsiadm --version

# Check multipath
multipath -ll

# Check services
systemctl status iscsid
systemctl status open-iscsi
systemctl status multipath-tools

Check kernel version: 

uname -r

# Verify iSCSI module is available
modinfo iscsi_tcp

Update kernel if needed: 

# Debian
sudo apt install linux-image-amd64

# Ubuntu
sudo apt install linux-generic

# Reboot
sudo reboot