iShareDisk

iSCSI for Diskless Boot

WinXP/Win2003/Vista/Win2008/
Win7/Win8.1(32/64-bit)/Centos/Ubuntu

www.isharedisk.com
User's Guide

V1.7, November, 2014

Contents

1 Contents................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
2 Product Information............................................................................................................................................................................... 3
3 Functions................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
4 System Requirement.............................................................................................................................................................................. 5
5 Quick Guidance......................................................................................................................................................................................7
5.1 Install server................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
5.2 Quick Configuration................................................................................................................................................................... 8
5.3 Install Client..............................................................................................................................................................................10
5.4 Upload Images.......................................................................................................................................................................... 10
5.5 Boot up PC without Disk..........................................................................................................................................................13
6 Server Configuration............................................................................................................................................................................20
6.1 Menu......................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
6.2 Tools..........................................................................................................................................................................................20
6.3 Main Interface...........................................................................................................................................................................22
6.4 The setting details at server...................................................................................................................................................... 23
6.5 Disk and System Image Setting................................................................................................................................................29
6.6 Disk cache setting.................................................................................................................................................................. 30
6.7 Setting of client computer..................................................................................................................................................... 32
7 Load Balance and Fail Over................................................................................................................................................................ 34
8 Diskless boot in windows domain...................................................................................................................................................38
9 Network Card PNP.............................................................................................................................................................................. 42
10 Multiple system boot......................................................................................................................................................................... 43
11 How to Set Game Disk...................................................................................................................................................................... 46
12 Updates of System Image and Server Disk....................................................................................................................................... 48
13 Sync the system image with Multi Servers....................................................................................................................................... 53
13.1 Manage the secondary servers......................................................................................................................................... 53
13.2 Sync the system image....................................................................................................................................................... 54
14 System image with multiple configurations and restore points........................................................................................................ 56
15 Roaming personal disk...................................................................................................................................................................58
16 Add and Import Client PCs in Batch................................................................................................................................................. 61
17 Recommended Server Settings.......................................................................................................................................................... 65
18 Create linux boot image..................................................................................................................................................................... 67
19 FAQs.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 95
20 Version Records.................................................................................................................................................................................97
21 Contact Us..........................................................................................................................................................................................99

2 Product Information
iShareDisk is specifically designed for booting up Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista , Windows Server
2008/R2, Windows 7(32/64-bit) , Windows 8.1 , Windows Server 2012, Centos and Ubuntu by network, rather than the disk. The
system software supports several functions, such as DHCP, TFTP, PXE and iSCSI, as well as integrated diskless boot resolution of
all Windows products and linux mainstream desktop system.
The greatest advantage of diskless network management lies in the unified control over computer systems and data within the
LAN. With this technology, all the data and operating systems are stored on the server, rather than distributing them to client PC,
which substantially save the costs for LANs with common hardware and software. Clients may see the latest systems and software
on their PCs after startup without disk every time and make them back to startup status after power-off, marking a great stride of the
internet in disaster recovery and security. By the native support to iSCSI, Windows products may start operation systems without
disk and deliver other virtual disks (like game disk) to client PC, as if they were "real", to ensure compatibility of the systems and
software. Because of the virtual disk, all the files showed on PC will not be transmitted until they are really accessed, by which both
the load of the network and disks on the server are substantially reduced.
iShareDisk supports all functions of the diskless systems, including multi-server, multi-network card, multi-system and game
disk, one package with multiple configurations, multiple restore points, load balance, redundancy service, server buffer, splitting
read/write, access to large memory and SSD read buffer, sync system image file, fixed personal disk and roaming personal disk etc.
In addition, with the following four buffer functions, the System can accelerate diskless startup of the client PC and software
operation: 1. cache of server memory; 2, SSD cache of on the server; 3. disk cache on the server, and 4. disk cache on client PC.
With these strong functions, high-efficient operation and stability, iShareDisk is available to every public scenario, such as the
internet cafe bar, business units and corporate, business hall of Internet Service Provider and Mobile phone operators, multi-media
classroom in education institutions, on-line library hall, computer room in schools, high education institutions, hotel chains and
KTV, etc.
Website: http://www.52netbar.com
Product: http://www.isharedisk.com

3 Functions

Functions
Support five system image format: VMWare disk image,
Microsoft Virtual PC VHD disk image, Virtual Box VDI disk
image, IMG disk image and ISO CD-ROM image
Support load system image as a virtual disk on server directly,
write and save data to disk
Support load system image and disk of server as a virtual disk,
custom the disk letter of client computer
An integrated resolution of diskless boot with built-in DHCP,
PXE, TFTP, Image upload and iSCSI disk function
Support diskless boot of Windows XP, Windows Server 2003,
Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008/R2, Windows
7(32/64bit),
Windows 8.1, Centos and Ubuntu through
network
Upload clients windows system to server in VHD, VMDK, and
VDI image format.
Support multiple system images to boot up and display the boot
menu
Support creation of unlimited profiles on one system image or
creation of unlimited restore points on one profile
Support write to system image or servers disk in super user
directly, save write-back to system image or create restore point
after shutdown client computer.
Support Read/write cache and SSD two level cache on server,
zero write cache on client.
Supports setting each client's network configuration and the boot
server IP alone
Support PNP for various network cards.
multiple
configurations computers can boot diskless on the same system
image
Support multiple write-back folders and distribute write-back
files automatically.
Support fix personal disk of client computer, the data will keep
after computer restart.
Support multiple network cards load balance of one server
Support multiple servers load balance, fail-over online and sync
system image file.
Support roaming personal disk with login name, roaming
personal desktop and documents with disk

Virtual disk
edition

Basic
edition

Profession
al edition

Enterprise
edition

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

4 System Requirement
Requirement of Server:
Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista(32/64bit),Windows Server 2008/ R2,Windows 7(32/64bit) , Windows8.1 ,
Windows Server 2012 and Ubuntu desktop amd64 version etc. Windows 2003 and Windows 2008/ R2 recommended.
All drives should be formatted as NTFS. When format drives, set "Allocation unit size" as "Default" for Windows system drive,
and set "Allocation unit size" as "64K" for other drives.
Latest service packs should be installed on the server.
Requirement of LAN:
You can use the built-in DHCP and TFTP functionality of iShareDisk, or use a third-party DHCP and TFTP server plus
iShareDisk PXE boot files.
Requirement of Client PC System:
Windows XP, Windows Server 2003,Windows Vista(32/64bit),Windows Server 2008/ R2,Windows 7(32/64bit) , Windows8.1
etc.
The Windows system drive should be formatted as NTFS and set "Allocation unit size" as "Default".
PXE 2.x compliant network adapter
Requirement of Hardware on Client PC:
Support PXE2.x network card, or V2.33 above for ROM in Realtek network card.
Recommended Setting of Server Hardware:
CPU: 2.0G
RAM: 8G
System Image Disk: SATA-2*1
250G an image file (SC 512M)
compares well with SSD
Game Disk: SATA-2 500G*2 (Software or hardware raid as required)
25 Clients
Write-back Disk of the 1st Client: SATA-2*1
250G
Average (one write-back disk for every 35 clients)
Main
board:
Support
RAID
or
HCI
Network Card: 1000Mb Ethernet,
If possible, please use SSD hard disk as buffer and SAS the write-back
disk.
CPU: 2.8G
RAM: 16G
System
Image
compares
well
with
SSD
Game Disk: SATA-2 500G (Software or hardware raid as required)
80G,3rd SSD Generation: 80G, 3rd generation
50 Clients
Write-back Disk of the 1st Client: SATA-2 250G
Write-back Disk of the 2nd Client: SATA-2
250G
Average (one write-back disk for every 35 clients)
Main
board:
Support
RAID
or
AHCI
Network Card: 2 multi-IP or single IP static link aggregation (distribution)
If possible, please use SAS as game disk and SAS the write-back disk.

100 Clients

CPU: 2.8G
RAM: 32G
System Image Disk: 1 SATA-2 an image file (SC 512M) compares well
with SSD
Game Disk: SATA-2 500G*3 (Software or hardware raid as required)
SSD Disk: 80G 3rd Generation
Write-back Disk of the 1st Client: SATA-2 250G
Write-back Disk of the 2nd Client: SATA-2 250G
Write-back Disk of the 3rd Client: SATA-2
250G
Average
(one
write-back
disk
for
every
35
clients)
Main board: Support RAID or AHCI
Network Card: Intel 1000Mb Ethernet, 2-3 multiple IP or single IP static
link
aggregation
(distribution)
If possible, please use SAS as the game disk and SSD or SAS the
write-back disk.

> 100 Clients

Multiple servers is recommended to for load balance.

Quick Guidance

5.1 Install server

Notice for Server System:
Local Security: open ports are required for iShareDisk (with the exception of switch on firewall or the following ports are
allowed to be added Add iSharedisk.exe to Exceptions of Windows Firewall or Open the following ports in Windows
Firewall.)
67

UDP

DHCP Port

69

UDP

TFTP Port

3260

TCP

ISCSI Port

3265

TCP

Admin Port

Download Address and Installation

Please download setup program of iShareDisk at http://www.iShareDisk.com.
Run "installserver.exe" on the server and click "Next" until the installation is complete.

Figure 5-1-1

5.2 Quick Configuration

Figure 5-2-1
Figure 5-2-1 shows the interface after iShareDisk is started. Click "Tools->Setting" in the menu, the tool bar, or press F4, to show
the following interface:

Figure 5-2-2
Take 192.168.1.8 as the IP address of iShareDisk server for example. Set start and end IP, IP mask and DNS that are planned to be
distributed to new client PC. Then set "New client Settings, check the Add new client auto option (see Figure 5-2-3).

Figure 5-2-3

5.3Install Client
1. Prepare a computer with disk and install systems all ready. Download iShareDisk installation programs at
http://www.isharedisk.com , then click InstallClient.exe to install completly. Please upload system image after restart the client
computer.

5.4 Upload Images

1. See computer list (Figure 5-4-1): right click the command "Enable upload". It is no need to be set if there is no client PC in the
computer List.

10

Figure 5-4-1
2. Run iSharePnpImage.exe on client PC to pop up the following interface (see Figure 5-4-2).

Figure 5-4-2
Please input the correct IP address of diskless server and selected format for uploading, then click "Upload". Do not shutdown
computer and unplug hard disk until the uploading is finished. Next, you can diskless boot after set boot first device to network card
in bios. Before uploading, you can use "User folder" button to modify the current user's personal documents and desktop folder to
roam personal disk.
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Notice of Stamper System:

1. It is not recommended to install anti-virus software in client computer
2. Please close the firewall installed in client computer, such as Windows firewall.
3. Ensure that there is only one DHCP server within the LAN, isharedisk or third-party DHCP plus isharedisk PXE file.
4. Ensure restart the system before uploading and close other applied programs. Then click iSharePnpImage.exe. to upload.
6. Control the image package size as small as possible. The smaller, the better.
7. For have several client image system packages, please do distribute 512M of the memory for cache to every single image system
package in general conditions, including image save on SSD disk. Otherwise, the client system will be very slow if there are
many clients online.

12

5.5 Boot up PC without Disk

1. Change sequence of BIOS startup of client PCs. Set the network for first boot (see the following Figure):
AMI BIOS Boot Setting

AWARD BIOS Start Setting

13

2. After re-start, PXE DHCP TFTP will start to guide the system.

Figure 5-5-1
See the above image of diskless startup. Please use PXE V2.1 above, or V2.33 above for ROM in Realtek network card.
3. If set the "Add new client auto", it will show set the client IP menu on the client boot.

14

Figure 5-5-2

15

4. If multiple systems are set, the following multi-system startup menu will pop out.

Figure 5-5-2

16

5. Win XP Startup Image

Figure 5-5-3
6. Win7 Startup Image

17

Figure 5-5-4
7. The client PC enters the system successfully and check whether the disk is virtual disk.

18

Win7 virtual disk

Figure 5-5-5

19

6 Server Configuration
6.1Menu
1) System
"System" -> "Disk Cache": start disk cache
"System" -> "Start iSCSI": start DHCP, TFTP and iSCSI services.
"System" -> "Stop iSCSI": Stop all the services delivered by iShareDisk, with the exception of iSharedisk.exe process. Please
stop in service admin in Windows if new software version is needed.
"System" -> "Add secondary server": Add secondary server for multiple servers management.
"System" -> "Edit secondary server": Edit secondary server for multiple servers management.
"System" -> "Delete secondary server": Delete the secondary server for multiple servers management.
"System" -> "Sync": Sync settings and system image between multiple servers.
"System" -> "Lock": Lock the interface of iShareDisk
"System" -> "Exit": Close the interface of iShareDisk, whereas iShareDisk still run.
2) Tools
"Tools" -> "Add disk": add iSCSI disk and system image.
"Tools" -> "Edit disk": edit property of iSCSI disk.
"Tools" -> "Delete disk": delete disk.
"Tools" -> "Add computer": add one computer in manual.
"Tools" -> "Edit computer": check or edit properties of one or more computers.
"Tools" -> "Delete computer: delete one or more selected client computer in manual.
"Tools" -> "Super user": switch computer status and save the data wrote by clients (temporarily) to disk.
"Tools" -> "Add class": add a computer or user class.
"Tools" -> "Edit class": Editing a computer or user class.
"Tools" -> "Delete class": Delete a computer or user class.
"Tools" -> "Setting": switch on the server setting interface.

6.2 Tools

Click Disk for switch to the disk list.

Click Computer for switch to the computer list.
Click Setting for set the server's configuration
Click Cache for run disk cache interface.
Click Start for boot up DHCP, TFTP and iSCSI services. Then the button will to be gray when started.

20

Click Stop for stop all the services. Then the button will to be gray when stopped.
Click Exit for close the main interface of iShareDisk, whereas the iShareDisk still run.
Click Help for open the user's guide.

21

6.3 Main Interface

1) List of client computers(Figure 6-3-1)

Figure 6-3-1
Computer Information: name, IP address and MAC, whether to save write-back data, whether the image upload is allowed, as
well as applied combination of images and disks.
Read/Write Status: online hour of client computer, current read/write speed, total volumes of reading and writing.
2) List of Disks (Figure 6-3-2)

Figure 6-3-2
Information of Disk: name, type, space and path of the disk.
Reading/Writing Status: the computers online time, total of read/write size and read speed.
3) List of users (Figure 6-3-3)

22

Figure 6-3-3
User information: name, image file, capacity, and last login IP
Reading/Writing Status: the user's online time, total of read/write size and read speed.
4) Online clients, total clients, server-accessed total read/write and speed and online hour of the server are showed in the
information column at the right bottom of Figure 6-3-4.

Figure 6-3-4

6.4 The setting details at server

Figure 6-4-1

23

Click "Setting" as above (Figure 6-4-1) to enter the setting interface.

24

6.4.1 DHCP Setting

Figure 6-4-2
Enable DHCP and TFTP: whether the server enable DHCP and TFTP for client PC, diskless boot must need it.
IP Address of DHCP Server: IP address designated for DHCP, which will fill in the following settings automatically.
Distributed Start IP and End IP: DHCP service is assigned to the new computer start IP and end IP range automatically.
IP Mask, Gateway and DNS Address: DHCP service is sent to the client's network settings
Multi-server load balance auto: When there are multiple servers within the LAN, set this option can achieve hot online and load
balancing.

25

6.4.2 Basic Setting

Figure 6-4-5
Write-Back Folder: the write-back folder is designed as a temporarily folder used to save client's written data and files. You can
set up several write-back folders, .the system will balance automatically.
Size limit per user write-back: To prevent the write-back file too large, you can set the max size of the write-back file. It is the
max GB size of write-back file of per user. When size is too small, the client will blue screen.
Allow super user update server disk: In General super user mode, it is not allowed to save the write-back data to server disk. If
you want update server disk on client, please select this option. When enable this option, you do not need to save the write-back
data. The write-back data will write to servers disk directly. During the super users online, the server disk cannot be accessed.
System image upload folder: The folder preset on the server for storing images uploaded from client computer, the default folder
is boot sub folder..
Administrator Password: The password for remote management.

26

6.4.1 New client

Figure 6-4-3
Default for New User: the setting for new user be scanned, auto login or DHCP request.
Add New Client auto: whether the new client PC can be added automatically.
Name rule: name rules for new client PC automatically added by DHCP.
System Image: Add presetting system images for new client PC automatically.
Disk: the list of automatic-added server disk on new client PC.
Time to display list of multi systems: when the client have multi system image, set the display time of menu on second.
iSCSI target name: Custom iSCSI target name

27

Convention of PC Name: rules for generating new client PC when DHCP requires.

28

6.5Disk and System Image Setting

Figure 6-5-3
Click "Add" or "Edit" in disk list to pop out the box of disk property setting:
Name: name of the disk.
Type: type of the disk
Client Disk Letter: The letter of disk show on client system.
Storage Resource: used for shared partition and virtual disk file etc. In case of system image file exists, the system image is
selected; and if not, please select new disk file creation to create a new file of virtual disk.

29

6.6Disk cache setting

Disk cache interface will display a list of local disk partition, select the disk of you want to cache , and client the start button. it
will display the following interface

30

The disk cache support two level cache. The level 1 cache use memory. The level 2 cache use the SSD disk.
The level 1 cache is necessary, please set up the memory size of cache used.
The level 2 cache is optional, please set the SSD disk location to store cache files and limit the size of the cache file.
The Cache type have cache read and cache write. The cache read cache disk read data and the cache write cache disk write data
and delay writing to disk. Note: the cache write will cause the data lose in the system shutdown. So when you cache write the
system disk (C drive), it will destroy your windows system.
Recommended settings:
Image disk: the disk storage system image file, it is recommended that only cache read only and set a small amount of memory
Game disk: the disk storage of large amounts of data, it is recommended that only cache read only and set the maximum
amount of memory cache
Write-back disk: write-back data stored in the disk, it is recommended that the cache write only and set a small amount of
memory

31

6.7Setting of client computer

Figure 6-5-1
Click "Add" or "Edit" in the Client List to edit client property.
Name: Custom computer name of the client
IP: IP address of the Computer.
MAC: MAC of the network card
Type: the client's type on users.
System Image: the system image set by the client currently. if multiple system images are selected, the system selection menu will
be pop out on boot.
Disk: you may select and load the server disk as desired, or select "All" to load all disks.
Personal Disk: create fix individual disk of client PC; but the data on the personal disk will keep after the PC is restarted.
IP advance set (...):

32

DHCP IP: Select the IP response to the client when DHCP request, default 0.0.0.0 is selected automatically.
IP Mask, Gateway IP, First DNS IP, Second DNS IP: client's network settings, when not set on this, using the "Tools" ->
"Settings" in the global settings
Screen resolution: After the client starts automatically modify a custom screen resolution
Boot mode: Enable diskless boot, Disable diskless boot, Must login before boot, Boot from local drive, Boot menu

33

7 Load Balance and Fail Over

Introduction
Fail-Over online: Double or multiple servers at the same time online work, when the failure of any one server, another server
can take over its work immediately and will not affect the client is being used, even the client does not need to restart.
1. Install on client PC
When run "installclient.exe, please check "Fail-over Online" option

2. Set on server
Set a server at first, add all client to list. When finished, copy the set file "iShareDiskAPI.set" to other server, and set
"Multi-server load balancing auto"

34

Or set all servers IP manually:

3.

Multiple Network Cards and Multiple Write-back Disks of Single Server

Without any setting, the diskless boot system can distribute two network cards to connect various client PCs and automatic

35

balancing the size of each write-back folders.

3. Multiple Network Cards of Multiple Servers (Old method)

Suppose you have ten computers name A01 - A10, and have two servers name Server A, Server B. Server A can be set to allow
five computers boot, Server B can be set to allow another five computer boot in order to achieve the purpose of the manual load
balancing. The two servers computer list. as shown below

Server A

36

Server B

37

Diskless boot in windows domain

8.1

Prepare windows domain environment

Please install the domain control server and workstation with the general procedure, and join all workstations to a domain.
Note: Do not install DHCP service in the domain control server , the workstation use a fixed IP.

8.2 isharedisk diskless installation

Please install isharedisk server and client on joined domain computers. Please set DNS IP to domain control server in
isharedisk. Upload system image after client install and reboot.

38

DNS:192.168.1.99 is domain control server IP

8.3 Client join to the domain
Please add all the client computer manually. Use join to domain command join all client computers to active directory in
domain control server. Note: the diskless server must joined to the domain, and login with domain administrator.

39

40

8.4 Client diskless boot

Only after the clients joined domain, the clients with diskless boot can establish a trust relationship with the domain server
automatically.

41

Network Card PNP

How to make multiple configuration for single system image package?

Preparations: change the power supply to the standard and the disk to IDE standard channel, and use PNP tools to collect network
drivers of each computer.

1. Click the "Export" command on new computer to get drive package of network cards.
2. Click the "Import" and Install command on the host to import and install drive packages of network cards.
3. Please upload windows system again or save write-back in super user mode..

42

10 Multiple system boot

Multiple system boot is designed to select multiple operating system menu (such as XP and Win7) and enable boot multiple
system on the same PC.
1) Create/Add multiple system images to disk list.

2) Edit computer property and select multiple system images. You can drag the system image up and down for multiple system
menu display order.

43

3) Boot up client computer with diskless to show the following image of the list of multi-system selection menu.

44

45

11 How to Set Game Disk

1. Add Disk D as the game disk (see Figure 9-1-1).
Figure above server E: drive designated as the D drive letter of the client.

Figure 9-1-1
2. Designate the game disk to client

46

Figure 9-1-2

47

12 Updates of System Image and Server Disk

1. Updates of System Image

Figure 11-1
Update Process: Power off the client PC at first, and switch to Super Client. After Install hardware driver or software and Power off
again. Use "Save Write-back" command. To save data.

48

Click "Save Write-back" command in the User List to pop out the above image.
Select the corresponding disk and write temporary data on the client PC to the virtual disk permanently, or create a new restore
point, to make other client PCs see the data wrote on the first PC (Super user).
Note: Please ensure there is no any other software writing data at the same time. If other software writes data on the disk and
partition of the server, re-saving the data will lead the file system to be in error.

49

Please do not use the function when the game disk is updated. Instead, use the updating software to update the game directly on the
game disk of the server.

Enable "Save" command. Repeat the above steps to save the data again and create successive restore points.

Figure 11-2

The last successive restore point is showed as above. By this way, you may restore to any of the restore points and edit system
image of the disk.

50

2. Updates of game disk

1) set the " allow super user update game disk"

2) add game disk as partition

51

3) Set client into super user mode, install game and software and power off. Switch to back normal client, don't need save
write-back anymore.

52

13 Sync the system image with Multi Servers

13.1Manage the secondary servers

53

The command System->Add secondary server can add the secondary server. Please enter the IP and remote
management password of the secondary server.
The command System->Edit secondary server and System->Delete secondary server can manage the
secondary server.

13.2Sync the system image

54

The command System->Sync data can sync the master servers disk, user and setting to the secondary servers.

55

14 System image with multiple configurations and restore points

1. Restore Point: it is required to create multiple restore points under a stamper (configuration) when there are some PCs with preset
hardware. The restore point is essential to start the incomplete virtual disk loaded under the complete system image. The restore
point is actually as large as the driver file installed by clients to save the space of the disk and save the buffer more efficiently.

2. How to Create Configuration/Restore Point: please switch the User model to Super Client. Install the driver and switch off the
PC, then create restore points while enabling "Save and Write-back" command.

3. If there are two configurations and one stamper, the finally-created system image and restore point file will be as follows:

Now, each configured PC use different system image to achieve single package with multiple configurations.

56

57

15

Roaming personal disk

14.1Add User Information

Add users in the user list view

Personal information, including: user name, password, type, and roaming personal disk settings

14.2 Set computer boot mode to must login before boot or display the boot menu

58

14.3Setting up my document and desktop folder of the current user to roaming personal disk in super user.

14.4 Client computer will display the following login screen every time when boot.

59

60

16 Add and Import Client PCs in Batch

Client PCs can be added in batch in many ways. Please right-click the image on client PC to pop out the User Function List for
operation.

Method 1: start all the client PCs. Then add them by means of internet scanning.

Method 2: enable "Add users" command and add clients according to rules.

61

1. Convention of client PC Name: please set the first and end codes and the middle number of the PC.
2. Designate start and end IP to the client PC to generate the name of the PC accordingly, but without generating MAC.
Method 3: Import text file to the client PC. Assume the text file as follows:

Enable "Import from Text File" command to pop out the following dialogue box:

62

If the text file is in different format, you can designate other list separator and the row number. If the file does not include PC name
and IP, please click the button at the right of the row number to set rules of automatic generation.

63

Click "OK" to complete import.

Method 4: enable "Import from CCBoot" command to import its set file.
Method 5: enable "Import from RichTech" command to import wks.ini (the set file of RichTech).

64

17 Recommended Server Settings

Configuration of the Server:

1.
Windows 2008 R2
2.

CPU Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2120 or 4 cores above

3.

Kingston Memory 16G

4.

Four game hard disks (SATA): 500G/disk for Raid 0, hardware raid or AHCI software raid.

5.

Put the system image to SSD to accelerate or improve boot-up.

6.

Write Cache: Enable "Write Cache" on PC.

7.

Configure a write-back disk on the server for every 35 client PCs (for example, 100 client PCs, 100/35=3 write-back
disks).

8.

2 or more Intel internet cards for load aggregation or multi-IP distribution.

Example 4 Aggregation of 4 Network Cards

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(Static Link Aggregation) Support the following network cards:

Intel(R) Gigabit PT Quad Port Server Express Module
Intel(R) PRO/100 S Server Adapter
Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Desktop Adapter
Intel(R) PRO/100+ Dual Port Server Adapter
Intel(R) PRO/100+ Management Adapter
Intel(R) PRO/1000 CT Network Connection
Intel(R) PRO/1000 F Server Adapter
Intel(R) PRO/1000 Gigabit Server Adapter
Intel(R) PRO/1000 MB Dual Port Server Connection
Intel(R) PRO/1000 T Desktop Adapter
Intel(R) PRO/1000 T Network Connection
Intel(R) PRO/1000 T Server Adapter
Intel(R) PRO/1000 XF Network Connection
Intel(R) PRO/1000 XF Server Adapter
Intel(R) PRO/1000 XT Desktop Adapter
Intel(R) PRO/1000 XT Network Connection
Intel(R) PRO/1000 XT Server Adapter
Intel(R) PRO/1000P Dual Port Server Adapter
Intel(R) 82577LC Gigabit Network Connection
Intel(R) 82566MM Gigabit Network Connection
Intel(R) 82566MC Gigabit Network Connection
Intel(R) 82567LF Gigabit Network Connection
Intel(R) 82567V Gigabit Network Connection
Intel(R) PRO/10GbE CX4 Server Adapter
Intel(R) PRO/10GbE LR Server Adapter
Intel(R) PRO/10GbE SR Server Adapter

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18 Create linux boot image

This part describes the installation of Linux, as well as by IShareDisk diskless booting Linux system.

1. Add Disk and User

1) In the Main Interface "Toolbar", click the "Add Disk" button to open the "Disk Porperties", and click the "Add Disk" button, the dialog box of
"Disk Properties" will pop up. In the "Disk Name" edit box, enter the disk name, the "Size" automatically predefine disk size in the edit box.
Select "New Image" radio button, and then click the "New Image" edit box to the right of the "Browse" button, select the Image storage path,
and then click the "OK" button (Figure 1-1).

Figure 1-1
2) add a user and set system image to centos (Figure 1-2).

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Figure 1-2
After finish add user, please enter the super user mode. (Figure 1-3) (Figure 1-4) (Figure 1-5)

Figure 1-3

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Figure 1-4

Figure 1-5

2. Linux Diskless Installation and Image upload

If Server Setup is completed, prepare the client to install the Linux Operating System. Please use CentOS-6.x-x86_64-bin-DVD1.iso to install.
DO NOT use the LiveCD/LiveDVD edition.
1) Linux installation interface (Figure 1-8).

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Figure 1-8
2) Select the "Skip" button (Figure 1-9).

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Figure 1-9
3) Click the "Next" button (Figure 1-10).

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Figure 1-10
4) Select the installation language and click "Next" (Figure 1-11).

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Figure 1-11
5) Select "specialized storage devices" radio button, and click the "Next" button (Figure 1-12).

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Figure 1-12
6)Click "Add Advanced Target" button, the dialog box of "Advanced Storage Options" will pop up, and then select the "Add iSCSI target"
radio button, and select the "Bind targets to network interfaces" check box, and then click "Add drive" button to go to the next step (Figure
1-13).

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Figure 1-13
7) In the "Select Network interface" dialog box, click the "OK" button (Figure 1-14).

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Figure 1-14
8) In the "Network Connections" dialog box, click the "Close" button (Figure 1-15).

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Figure 1-15
9) In the "Target IP Address" edit box, enter the server's IP address, and then click the "Start Discovery" button (Figure 1-16).

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Figure 1-16
10) "iSCSI disk" initialization process (Figure 1-17).

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Figure 1-17

20) Click (Figure 1-26) in the pop-up dialog box "Start Discovery" button and in the pop-up "iSCSI Discovered Nodes" dialog box, select the
"iqn.2005-02.com.isharedisk.iscsi:00" check box, and then click the "Login" button (Figure 1-26).

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Figure 1-26
21) In the pop-up "ISCSI Nodes Login" dialog box, click the "Login" button (Figure 1-27).

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Figure 1-27
22) In the pop-up "ISCSI Login Results" dialog box, click the "OK" button, and then click the "Next" button (Figure 1-28).

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Figure 1-28
23) In the pop-up "Storage Device Warning" dialog box, click "Yes, discard any data" button, to discarding all data (Figure 1-29).

82

Figure 1-29
24) After entering your computer name, click the "Next" button (Figure 1-30).

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Figure 1-30
25) After you select the time zone, click the "Next" button (Figure 1-31).

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Figure 1-31
26) Enter the "Root" login password, and then click the "Next" button (Figure 1-32).

Figure 1-32
27) Default settings; click the "next" button (Figure 1-33).

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Figure 1-33
28) In the pop-up "Writing storage configuration to disk" dialog box, click the "Write changes to disk" button (Figure 1-34).

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Figure 1-34
29) Select the version of the installed system ("Minimal" is a command version, the "Desktop" is a desktop version), click the "Next" button
(Figure 1-35).

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Figure 1-35
30) Linux Installation process (Figure 1-36).

88

Figure 1-36
31) After the installation is completed, click the "Reboot" button, to restart the Linux operating system, and now it has no disk (Figure 1-37).

89

Figure 1-37

32) modified linux setting in Super user model

1. Run command
[root@localhost ~]# /etc/init.d/NetworkManager stop
[root@localhost ~]# ntsysv
Disable Service Network Manager.

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2.
[root@localhost ~]# nano /etc/udev/rules.d/70-persistent-net.rules

After modifying

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3.
nano
Keep these three lines

/etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0

4.
nano /boot/grub/grub.conf
Delete this part: ifname=eth0:00:50:56:29:02:18
Example:
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.32-431.el6.i686 ro root=/dev/mapper/vg_pc2-lv_root rd_NO_LUKS rd_LVM_LV=vg_pc2/lv_root
netroot=iscsi:@11.11.11.207::3260:iface0:eth0::iqn.2005-02.com.ricecake.iscsi:00
ip=eth0:dhcp
rd_NO_MD
ifname=eth0:00:50:56:29:02:18
SYSFONT=latarcyrheb-sun16
crashkernel=auto
iscsi_initiator=iqn.1994-05.com.domain:01.f94652
KEYBOARDTYPE=pc KEYTABLE=us rd_LVM_LV=vg_pc2/lv_swap
rd_NO_DM
LANG=en_US.UTF-8
rhgb
quiet
after
Edited:
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.32-431.el6.i686 ro root=/dev/mapper/vg_pc2-lv_root rd_NO_LUKS rd_LVM_LV=vg_pc2/lv_root
netroot=iscsi:@11.11.11.207::3260:iface0:eth0::iqn.2005-02.com.ricecake.iscsi:00
ip=eth0:dhcp
rd_NO_MD
SYSFONT=latarcyrheb-sun16 crashkernel=auto iscsi_initiator=iqn.1994-05.com.domain:01.f94652
KEYBOARDTYPE=pc
KEYTABLE=us rd_LVM_LV=vg_pc2/lv_swap rd_NO_DM LANG=en_US.UTF-8 rhgb quiet

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33) After diskless booting Linux Operating system, enter the shutdown command "Poweroff" to safely turning off your computer.
34) After the Linux client security is closed, go back to the IShareDisk server and then disable the "Super Client" in this PC.

4.Save write-back to linux system image

After centos install finish , please leave super user mode and save write-back to system image.(Figure 1-44)(Figure 1-45)

Figure 1-44

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Figure 1-45

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19 FAQs
Ask: My network card ROM stops at the "Initializing devices" in IPXE. How can I settle it?
Please edit client and set "Use Compatible PXE to Boot Up". This would be slower, but not affect the speed after entering
Windows.
Ask: Why did the client PC become blue screen after diskless boot with my package?
1. Error version of the network card driver or scrolling blue screen is not installed yet.
2. The client PC is installed with anti-virus software, such as nod32, etc.
3. No client PC is installed. Please install before upload.
4. If the client PC is installed with ISD, please re-start the PC before uploading image.
Ask: How large the virtual memory is suitable on client PC is suitable?
It is recommended to ensure sufficient space of virtual memory for diskless client PC. The larger the virtual memory is, the
better
the
result
is.
For
example,
minimum
=
4096
and
maximum
4096.
Ask: Are there any setting requirements for the ports of iShareDisk and the internet?
IShareDisk is required to use the following ports at first: 67 (DHCP), 69 (TFTP), 3260 (iSCSI) and 3265 (admin port). If you
already installed firewall or anti-virus software on server, please ensure these ports are open.
Ask: Why the data are error after saving the image?
You should save the image as follows:
1. Right-click the target client PC at the User List of the server. Then click "Super user" command and boot up corresponding
client PC.
2. Install the software or update game, shut down the client PC. Then go back to the server, click "Super user" command. The
system will remind you of saving write-back data.
Ask: How to upgrade the old version?
Please go to http://www.isharedisk.com and download the latest version. Stop all the services before installation.
Ask: In which model does the SSD cache operate?
After SSD cache is full, the data accessed read later will be cached also. The SSD file size would not be changed, but the
content would.
Ask: Can I use the iShareDisk cache together with super cache?
No, you cannot combine these two cache work together.
Ask: How to reduce the reading traffic efficiently?
1. System differences. Reading traffics from different OS versions might be very different.
2. System Optimization: it is necessary to optimize the system, for example, shutting down system pre-reading, etc.
Ask: After the server is changed, how to save the original setting?
Copy the set file from the original server. Please note that if some disks are different in paths on two servers, you need to set
them again.
Ask: The internet can not send the image file I uploaded. How can I settle it?
This may occur due to the following reasons:
1. Space of the disk on the server is not enough.

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2.

Internet problem, internet unconnected, network card does not support to send large data package.

Ask: For the same configuration and the same image package, some devices cannot enter the system in Windows. Why?
It may be caused by two reasons in general:
1. IP within the LAN conflicts with the one assigned by DHCP; or
2.
The
write-back
disk
is

full.

Ask: After DHCP is enabled on client PC, there is PRESS A KEY TO REBOOT. Why?
1. You did not designate image file to boot up, or the image package is damaged; or
2. The start IP cannot be loaded after booting up;
3. Interfered by other DHCP, such as router or switch.
4. The BIOS on the main-board needs to be upgraded.
Q: I have installed the hard disk AHCI driver on the master disc, the client will not be able to shut down!
When diskless boot, there is no longer a real hard disk. So it will lead to a bad shutdown. Do not install the hard disk AHCI
driver.

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20 Version Records
1. V1.0 Function List: (Date of Issuance: June 22, 2011)
IShareDisk covers target function in agreement with iSCSI, which can co-operate with Windows operating systems and present the
hard disk and partition in virtual disk on client PC. The client PC may access to virtual disk freely, operate program software,
format and partition, etc. After the client PC installs virtual disk, it may return to the status of disk of the server.
2. V1.1 Function List (Date of Issuance: October 18, 2011)
Add DHCP, TFTP, PXE, iPXE and image uploading to achieve integrated solution of diskless startup in agreement with iSCSI.
Add PNP for network card and system image uploading tool on client PC.
Add remote startup (needs network card to support) and add client PC through scanning internet.
Add "Refresh Server Cache in Manual" to force manual refresh if the automatic refreshing is in error.
Add the function of starting and stopping any virtual disk separately.
Add the function of matching the letters of disks on server and client PC. Manage the path of game software in unified way
through designating the letter of virtual disk on client PC.
Add supports to IMG and VDI to five formats of virtual disks in total.
3. V1.2 Function List (Date of Issuance: January 13, 2012)
New support of multiple write-back catalogues. The system will distribute write-backs to each catalogue automatically for clients,
which reduce the requirement of system write-back disk. The server can achieve disk raid through multiple write-back disks.
4. V1.3 Function List (Date of Issuance: June 30, 2012)
Optimize iSharePp.sys code of PNP driver when the client PC boots up, increase adaptability to more hardware and accelerate
startup of operating system.
Optimize access cache algorithm of the server from each disk and client to unified distribution and adjustment, which accelerate
and increase cache efficiency. Further, increase a new function of Timing Refreshing Cache to fill the gap of manual refreshing.
Add new functions of Single Package with Multiple Configuration and restore points. When there are several settings in
hardware on client PC, the configuration might be done more flexible. Also, the client can create restore points every time when the
data are saved, confirm their accuracy and combine them to primary disk, which substantially enhance security.
Replace the original VHD format that is not suitable for write-back with a new designed one to substantially reduce write-back
pressure on the server, speed up responding speed of the client PC and increase the PCs.
Add functions of "Add Clients in Batch" and "Import Clients" to create a large amount of client information when the diskless is
first arranged.
Add the functions of "No No-disk Startup" and "Use Compatible PXE to Boot Up" to arrange multi-server and old compatible
network cards (non PXE2.1) within the LAN.
Add the function of "Simultaneous Start of Multi-system" to adapt to more complicated applications.
5. V1.4 Function List (Date of Issuance: September 18, 2012)
Add functions of "load balancing and fail-over online", when the failure of one server, another server can take over its work
immediately and will not affect the client is being used, even the client does not need to restart.
Add functions of "Allow super user update game disk", the super user can update game disk on client PC. This can be used in
install large game and software.
6. V1.5 Function List (Date of Issuance: March 1, 2013)
Server update disk cache module, make is faster, more efficient and can service for other program.
The server increase the definition of each client's DHCP binding IP, gateway parameters etc.
Increased client disk cache.
7. V1.6 Function List (Date of Issuance: October 1, 2013)

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Add multi-server management function and sync system image from master server to secondary server function.
Add support linux client boot with diskless
Add write-back file size limit option.
8. V1.7 Function List (Date of Issuance:2014.9.8)
Support the Ubuntu diskless boot and server edition.
Add roaming personal disk feature that allows personal disk roaming through the login name.
Optimize the allocation of memory, increase start speed of memory cache, the clients cache write zero to server.
Add a variety of client boot mode, etc start menu.

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21 Contact Us

Website: http://www.52netbar.com
Product: http://www.isharedisk.com
Email: 2810923@qq.com
support@isharedisk.com

QQ: 2810923
QQ international software download from:

http://www.imqq.com

Skype: jackiehe77

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