How to configure iSCSI Initiator (client) in CentOS / RHEL 7?

Updated: 28 September 2026 · Applies to: Ubuntu 24.04, Debian 12, AlmaLinux 9 and Rocky Linux 9

CentOS/RHEL 7 are end of life; these steps are for AlmaLinux 9 / Rocky Linux 9 and Ubuntu 24.04 / Debian 12. An iSCSI initiator (client) connects to storage shared over the network by an iSCSI target and uses it like a local disk.

1. Install

dnf install iscsi-initiator-utils     # AlmaLinux / Rocky
apt install open-iscsi                 # Ubuntu / Debian

2. Set the initiator name

The target allows clients by this name. Edit /etc/iscsi/initiatorname.iscsi, for example InitiatorName=iqn.2026-09.com.example:client1, then systemctl restart iscsid.

3. Discover and log in

iscsiadm -m discovery -t sendtargets -p 192.0.2.50
iscsiadm -m node -T iqn.2026-09.com.example:target1 -p 192.0.2.50 --login
lsblk                          # the LUN appears as a new disk, e.g. /dev/sdb

4. Use the disk

mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb
mkdir -p /mnt/iscsi
echo "UUID=$(blkid -s UUID -o value /dev/sdb) /mnt/iscsi xfs _netdev 0 0" >> /etc/fstab
mount -a

The _netdev option makes the system wait for the network before mounting. Sessions log in again automatically at boot.

CHAP authentication

If the target requires CHAP, set node.session.auth.authmethod = CHAP, node.session.auth.username and node.session.auth.password in /etc/iscsi/iscsid.conf before discovery.

Log out

umount /mnt/iscsi
iscsiadm -m node -T iqn.2026-09.com.example:target1 -p 192.0.2.50 --logout