---
name: "iscsi-gen-initiatorname"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "open-iscsi"
version: "2.1.13-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/iscsi-gen-initiatorname"
---

# iscsi-gen-initiatorname(8)

smart iSCSI initiator name generation tool

## NAME

iscsi-gen-initiatorname - smart iSCSI initiator name generation tool

## SYNOPSIS

**iscsi-gen-initiatorname** \[OPTIONS\]

## DESCRIPTION

**iscsi-gen-initiatorname** generates an iSCSI Initiator Name in the *initiatorname.iscsi* file. It is an error to try to overwrite an existing Initiator Name, unless the **-f** (*force*) option is supplied.

The Initiator Name will be taken from the kernel command line, if present (from the *rd.initiatorname* parameter), else from the iBFT subsystem (if present in *sysfs*), else it will be generated using the **iscsi-iname** command.

It is an error if both the kernel command-line Initiator Name and the iBFT Initiator Name are both set, and they are different. it is also an error to try to write over an Initiator Name file if it read-only, or to create one if its directory is not writable.

You **must** be *root* to run this command.

## OPTIONS

- **\[-h\]**

  Display a help message and exit.

- **\[-f\]**

  Force overwrite of existing initiator name, if present.

- **\[-p\]***IQN-PREFIX*

  Use *IQN-PREFIX* as the prefix to the IQN generated, instead of the default of **iqn.2016-04.com.open-iscsi**.

## FILES

- /etc/iscsi/initiatorname.iscsi

  The file containing the initiator name. Do not edit manually.

## SEE ALSO

[**iscsi-iname**(8)](/iscsi-iname/8.md)

## AUTHORS

Open-iSCSI project \<http://www.open-iscsi.com/\>\
 Hannes Reinecke \<hare@suse.de\>\
 Lee Duncan \<lduncan@suse.com\>