iSCSI Cake (also known as ) is a Windows-based iSCSI target application that allows a server to share its disk space, partitions, VMDK files, or ISO images with client machines as if they were local hard drives
. Version 1.8 is an older legacy build of this software, often used in internet cafes and enterprise storage virtualization for its copy-on-write
mechanism, which protects server data by redirecting client writes to a temporary working directory. Installation & Configuration Steps
To install and set up iSCSI Cake (CCDisk) version 1.8, follow these general steps based on the official iSCSI Cake User Manual 1. Server-Side Installation Run the Installer : Execute the iSCSICake_setup.exe file on your designated Windows storage server. Configure the Server IP
: If using the server behind a router or for WAN access, you may need to manually update the server IP in the iSCSICake.ini
file to the address visible to your clients before restarting the service. Add Storage Resources
: In the iSCSI Cake interface, add the disks or images (like VMDK or ISO) you wish to share. 2. Configuring Client Access Enable Super Client (Optional)
: If you need a specific client to be able to save permanent changes to the server’s storage, you must enable the "Super Client" option in the disk properties and set a 12-15 character password in the setup panel. Set Up Authentication
: Configure CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol) if you require secure logins for your clients. 3. Client-Side Connection (Initiator) Open iSCSI Initiator : On the client machine, launch the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator (found in Administrative Tools). Discover Portal : Click the tab, select Discover Portal , and enter the IP address of your iSCSI Cake server. Connect to Target : Go to the tab, select the inactive target that appears, and click Finalize Disk : Once connected, open Disk Management
on the client to bring the new disk online, initialize it, and format it as needed. Key Features of iSCSI Cake 1.8 Virtualization Support
: First iSCSI target to support exporting VMDK files directly to clients. Data Safety
: Uses a "Hold and Update" mechanism so that standard client reboots clear any temporary data, keeping the server image clean. High Compatibility iscsi cake 18 install
: Works with standard Microsoft Initiators and supports various partition formats like MBR and GPT. password for permanent data saving?
iSCSI Cake (also known as CCDisk) is a Windows-based iSCSI target software that allows you to export server storage resources—such as hard disks, partitions, or VMDK files—to client computers over a network. These clients then see the remote storage as a local hard drive.
While "iSCSI Cake 1.8" is often mentioned in legacy tech circles, the most recently documented stable version is 1.70. Key Features of iSCSI Cake
Virtualization Support: It is one of the first iSCSI targets to support exporting VMware (.vmdk) files as local disks.
Copy-on-Write: Protects server data by redirecting client write requests to a temporary working directory.
Performance: Supports advanced caching options, including server-side memory cache and client-side disk or memory cache.
Application Compatibility: Unlike standard SMB shares, iSCSI Cake supports databases and games that require block-level access. Installation & Configuration Guide 1. Server Installation (The Target) To set up your server to share storage:
Download & Run: Download the installer from the official developer's site or a trusted mirror.
Run as Service: The software typically installs as a Windows Service with a GUI for management.
Add iSCSI Disks: Open the iSCSI Cake management console and add the disk or file you wish to share.
Set Cache: Configure the Server Cache (under "Target setup") to allocate system memory for faster client reading. 2. Client Installation (The Initiator) Clients need to connect to the server to use the storage: iSCSI Cake (also known as ) is a
Install Microsoft iSCSI Initiator: This is built into modern Windows (accessible via iscsicpl from the command prompt).
Install iSCSI Cake Client: For optimal performance and to enable client-side caching, install the specialized iSCSI Cake Client on the workstations.
Discovery: In the iSCSI Initiator, go to the Discovery tab and enter the IP address of the iSCSI Cake server.
Connect: Select the discovered target and click Connect. The disk will now appear in your local Windows Disk Management. Usage Limitations
Trial Period: The standard free trial supports up to 10 users and is valid for 15 days.
Compatibility: While primarily for legacy Windows systems (XP, 2000, 2003), it is also used in Internet Cafes for diskless booting and high-speed game storage. Cheapest iSCSI SAN for Windows 2008/SQL Server clustering?
iSCSI Cake 1.8 (also known as CCDisk) is a storage server application that allows you to share your server's disk space, partitions, or virtual disk files (like VMDK or ISO) with multiple client computers as if they were local hard drives. Installation & Configuration Overview
The setup involves two main components: the iSCSI Cake Server software and the iSCSI Initiator on the client machines. 1. Server Installation
Download & Install: Obtain the iSCSI Cake V1.8 installer and run it on a Windows-based server (compatible with Windows 2000 through 2008/Vista).
Service Setup: The software runs as a Windows service and provides a GUI for management.
Add Disks: Use the management interface to add storage resources. You can share physical disks, specific partitions, or file-based storage like ISOs and VMDKs. Target IQN: iqn
Security: For data protection, you can configure CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol) in the setup panel, which requires a password (ideally 12–15 characters) for client access. 2. Client (Initiator) Configuration
Initiator Setup: On the client machine, open the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator (found in Control Panel -> Administrative Tools).
Discovery: Navigate to the "Discovery" tab and enter the IP address of your iSCSI Cake server.
Target Connection: Go to the "Targets" tab, select the detected target from the server, and click "Connect".
Finalize: Once connected, the remote storage will appear in Disk Management as an unallocated disk. You must initialize, partition, and format it to use it like a standard local drive. Key Features of Version 1.8
Copy-on-Write: Protects server data by redirecting client write requests to a separate working directory, ensuring the original server files remain unchanged.
Super Client Mode: Only a designated "Super Client" can permanently change data on the server, which is useful for updates in environments like internet cafes.
Scalability: Supports up to 16 LUNs (Logical Unit Numbers) per client and can share storage over both LAN and WAN. Downloads - iSCSI Cake
sudo iscsiadm -m discovery -t st -p 192.168.1.10:3260 sudo iscsiadm -m node --login
To follow this guide, ensure you have:
192.168.100.10, Initiator 192.168.100.20.Warning: Do not run iSCSI over a production WAN or congested LAN without proper VLAN isolation. The "Cake 18" install relies on low-latency links.
| Component | Requirement |
|-----------|--------------|
| Ceph cluster | Reef 18.2.x, healthy, with RBD pool |
| Gateway nodes | 1+ dedicated nodes or collocated with MON/MGR (not recommended for prod) |
| OS | RHEL 9 / Rocky 9 / Ubuntu 22.04 (LTS) |
| Networking | Separate frontend (iSCSI initiator) and backend (Ceph cluster) networks recommended |
| Packages | ceph-iscsi, tcmu-runner, targetcli, python3-rtslib |
| Authentication | CHAP optional but recommended |
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