How do you load balance iscsi MPIO across host interfaces?

[forbsy]

I'm running RHEL4 update 4. I've installed the iscsi-initiator-utils rpm (4.0.3.0-4), device-mapper rpm (1.02.07-4.0.RHEL4) and device-mapper-multipath-0.4.5-21.RHEL4 rpm. I've got iSCSI MPIO working fine between by Linux host and Netapp storage array.
My question - Is it possible to add an additional GbE interface on my host and acheive MPIO across multiple interfaces on the host? Presently, I have a single host GbE interface handling the MPIO. I know the Microsoft iSCSI software initiator supports multiple interfaces. Does the Linux initiator also support?
If I cannot get improved throughput by introducing an additional interface, what about failover/redundency? How would I configure that second interface to be a standy interface incase the primary failed? Normally, this is easy enough with nic teaming, but I'm not sure MPIO supports teaming.

Thanks

 

[itsp1965]

I have only used FC based arrays so I can't say. Since you are using a software based initiator I take it you are not using iSCSI HBAs (essentially NICs which have the initiator built-in) which come with management software that would allow you to set this up.

 

[forbsy]

Right. It's the Linux Red Hat software iscsi initiator and MPIO packages.