Mac OS X as an iSCSI initiator: Time Machine on ZFS

As I described in previous posts, I setup an iSCSI target with Solaris COMSTAR backed by a ZFS volume. I want to use this volume as a disk for Mac OS X Time Machine. This way, I'll get the best of the two technologies: a pretty looking and easy to manage Time Machine for backing up my MacBook backed by an enterprise-level, redundant and scalable ZFS volume published as an iSCSI target over my private LAN.

No more consumer disks on a table, no more poor hardware-implemented file system sharing protocol. No more worries to lose a disk. Just Solaris, ZFS, COMSTAR and a LAN.

Mac OS X as an iSCSI initiator

Although it's a subject most spoken of, Apple hasn't released yet the necessary components for Mac OS X to be an iSCSI initiator. Fortunately there exists a solid and free solution by Studio Network Solutions: globalSAN iSCSI Initiator for OS X. Just download it, install it, restart your OS X and a new panel will appear in your System Settings:

Connecting to a target

Connecting to a target is really easy: just use the globalSAN iSCSI GUI to add the target:

The target name is obviously retrieved from your target configuration.

Using the disk

If you read the previous post, you'll know that this target is backed by a ZFS volume which must be formatted before being used. With the Disk Utility you can format the new disk:

Using the disk with the Time Machine

To use the new disk with the Time Machine you just follow the usual procedure:

Conclusion

That's it. Using a ZFS volume as a disk for Mac OS X Time Machine is just a few clicks away. Next time you plan to buy a new external hard disk, just wait and take into account that a robust enterprise-level solution is available with not much more than the necessary budget to purchase a couple of consumer disks.