---
name: "iscsistart"
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/iscsistart"
---

# iscsistart(8)

iSCSI boot tool

## NAME

iscsistart - iSCSI boot tool

## SYNOPSIS

**iscsistart** \[OPTION\]

## DESCRIPTION

**iscsistart** will start a session using the settings passed in, or using the iBFT or Open Firmware \[OF\] boot information. This program should not be run to manage sessions. Its primary use is to start sessions used for iSCSI root boot.

## OPTIONS

- **\[-c\|--config=\]*config-file***

  Read configuration from *config-file* rather than the default */etc/iscsi/iscsid.conf* file.

- **\[-i\|--initiatorname=\]*name***

  Set InitiatorName to name (Required if not using iBFT or OF)

- **\[-t\|--targetname=\]*name***

  Set TargetName to name (Required if not using iBFT or OF)

- **\[-g\|--tgpt=\]*N***

  Set target portal group tag to N (Required if not using iBFT or OF)

- **\[-a\|--address=\]*A.B.C.D***

  Set IP address to A.B.C.D (Required if not using iBFT or OF)

- **\[-p\|--port=\]*N***

  Set port to N (Optional. Default 3260)

- **\[-u\|--username=\]*N***

  Set username to N (Optional)

- **\[-w\|--password=\]*N***

  Set password to N (Optional)

- **\[-U\|-username\_in=\]*N***

  Set incoming username to N (Optional)

- **\[-W\|--password\_in=\]*N***

  Set incoming password to N (Optional)

- **\[-d\|--debug=\]*debug\_level***

  Print debugging information

- **\[-b\|--fwparam\_connect\]**

  Create a session to the target using the iBFT or OF info

- **\[-N\|--fwparam\_network\]**

  Bring up the network as specified by iBFT or OF

- **\[-f\|--fwparam\_print\]**

  Print the iBFT or OF info to STDOUT

- **\[-P\|--param=\]*NAME=VALUE***

  Set the parameter with the name NAME to VALUE. NAME is one of the settings in the node record or iscsid.conf. Multiple params can be passed in.

- **\[-h\|--help\]**

  Display this help and exit

- **\[-v\|--version\]**

  Display version and exit

## SEE ALSO

[**iscsiadm**(8)](/iscsiadm/8.md)

## AUTHORS

Open-iSCSI project \<http://www.open-iscsi.com/\>\
 Mike Christie \<mchristi@redhat.com\>