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KB ID: 5934

Access multiple iSCSI volumes with unified namespace using Scale-Out File Server

Last Updated: 09/08/2025

In this article we will demonstrate how to:
-    Create a Scale-Out File Server role within Failover Cluster Manager. 
-    Convert each TeraStation iSCSI volume to a Clustered Shared Volume, which makes it accessible to all nodes within the cluster.
-    Configure SOFS to use the CSVs, which will expose them as a single namespace accessible to all clients.

Reference:
Scale-Out File Server for application data overview
Deploy Scale-Out File Server
Deploy a cluster set

Environment in this KB:
Hyper-V 2022 which contains following VMs
-    A single DC in its own forest
-    Windows Server 2022 Cluster node1
-    Windows Server 2022 Cluster node2
 

Prerequisites:
-  Join the VM to the domain
-  Set Up the Cluster
-  Refer to this KB to create iSCSI targets on the TeraStations

Configure a failover cluster with the necessary nodes.

Connect each node to the TeraStation iSCSI volumes using the iSCSI initiator, making sure both volumes are available across all cluster nodes.

Format both volumes as NTFS.

In Failover Cluster Manager, click Add Disk at the right to add both iSCSI volumes to the cluster storage pool.

Select the available disk to add then click OK.

Make sure both cluster disks are online and show as Available Storage.

Right click on the cluster disk to convert each volume to a Clustered Shared Volume, which makes it accessible to all nodes within the cluster.

Set Up Scale-Out File Server (SOFS)
In the Roles section of the Cluster Manager, select Configure Role from the Actions menu.

At High Availability Wizard, choose File Server from the list of roles. Click Next.

Select Scale-Out File Server for application data. Click Next.

Provide a name for the SOFS. This name will serve as the namespace or network name that clients will use to access the unified storage.

Review and click Next.

Scale-Out File Server role successfully configured. Click finish.

After creation, ensure the SOFS role is online. 
Then right-click on the SOFS role, select Add File Share.

Choose the SMB Share – Quick option.

Select the Clustered Shared Volume for the new share.

Specify the new share name.

Select the desired share settings.
 
Note: Continuous availability requires that data write through to the disk without buffering so it reduces the performance.
 

Specify permissions as desired.

Review and click Create.

The share was successfully created. Click Close.

Repeat the share adding process for all Clustered Shared Volumes you want to share.

The unified namespace for the storage will now be accessible through the network name you provided earlier (e.g., \\SOFS-namespace-name\shared-folder).