Mounting the created iSCSI disk into the file structure of the same NAS server. Is it possible? And how can I do this?

[olegd]

I need the iSCSI disk created on the volume to appear not only on a remote Windows machine but also on the NAS server itself, within its file structure.
How can I do this ?

QTS 5.2.4.3079

[OneCD]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Do you want to access the LUN via multiple clients at the same time?

[olegd]

No. Here's what I'm doing.
I have set up an iSCSI disk for a Windows desktop machine, where I perform backups of an important database. As a result, the database backup is saved on the QNAP NAS disk.
But in addition to this, I have the task of copying the same archive to a corporate Google Drive that has been allocated to me for work.
When I launch the backup creation tool on QNAP, it only allows me to select partitions and folders from the file structure. However, I cannot select the iSCSI disk where the information I need is stored, even though it is physically located here, on the NAS server.

[OneCD]

Yes, because you need to initiate a connection to the LUN - even when it's on the same device.

This means you're attempting to access the same LUN via multiple clients (your Windows device, and the NAS itself).

[olegd]

Yes, you are right.
And what do I need to do to achieve this?

[olegd]

Help me please

[OneCD]

The NAS LUN can’t be accessed simultaneously by the NAS and an external client.

You must first release the LUN from the Windows client, then initiate a connection to it from within the NAS so the NAS can access it.

Then release it afterward, and reinitiate a connection from the Windows client.

[olegd]

This scenario probably won't work for me.
I don't know how to write a script that would do this during archive creation. Moreover, the archive is created on the Windows machine, not on the NAS.
It is only copied to the NAS. Currently, the iSCSI disk is always connected to the Windows machine. It would make more sense to simply set up copying of this archive directly to Google Drive.
Maybe there's a more elegant way to do this?

[OneCD]

Can you achieve the same thing with regular shares?

Maybe setup a NAS share just for the archive, and have your Windows client write the archive to the NAS share, instead of into the LUN?

[olegd]

I am thinking about this right now. Perhaps this would be the most correct and easiest way.
Although, I read that it’s also possible to configure simultaneous access to the LUN using clustered file access.

[OneCD]

Although, I read that it’s also possible to configure simultaneous access to the LUN using clustered file access.

That's true when the NAS hosting the LUN will be accessed by multiple external clients, but doesn't work when the NAS itself is a client.

[olegd]

Alright, my friend, thank you so much for your help. I'll probably go with this approach. Without using iSCSI. I'll just use regular shared folders on the NAS. That will make things easier.

[OneCD]

No worries mate, good luck.