Folks:
I'm unable to get my nested ESXi servers to see the shared iSCSI storage I've set up for them. I'm using iSCSI for the ESXi host that holds the ESXi guests, so I have a successful iSCSI configuration to use as my reference.
Here's what I have for the host network config:
iSCSI targets
+ IP1: 172.16.16.7 (subnet for host IP storage)
+ IP2: 172.16.17.7 (subnet for guest IP storage)
vSwitch associated with vmnic2 on the IP storage NIC
+ Port group "IP Storage" containing the two ESXi guests' virtual NICs
+ VMkernel Port for the host's iSCSI connections: 172.16.16.28
Here's what I have for the guest network config:
+ Virtual NIC on above "IP Storage" port group
+ vSwitch with only a VMkernel port for the guest's iSCSI connections: 172.16.17.38
From the iSCSI host I am able to ping 172.16.16.28. I am unable to ping 172.16.17.38, however, and here's the really confusing part-- I am able to get an ARP reply from that NIC with the correct MAC associated with the VMkernel port! This eliminates all kinds of potential misconfigurations (e.g. using the wrong NIC, wrong IP, etc.)
The firewall on the guest shows the Software iSCSI Client port 3260 outbound is open. Packet captures from the iSCSI target host reveal NO TRAFFIC from the guest's VMkernel IP when refreshing storage adapters.
What else should I look at? The config of the guest vs. the actual host seems identical yet one works and one doesn't...
-- Steve