Page 3 - C o n t e n t s; I n t r o d u c t i o n
Contents 3 C o n t e n t s 1 I n t r o d u c t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Cluster Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Cluster Hardware Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Cluster Nodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Cluster Storage . ...
Page 4 - A Tr o u b l e s h o o t i n g
4 Contents 3 P r e p a r i n g Yo u r S ys t e m s f o r C l u s t e r i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7 Cluster Configuration Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Installation Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Installing the iSCSI NICs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30...
Page 5 - Introduction
Introduction 5 Introduction A Dell™ Failover Cluster combines specific hardware and software components to provide enhanced availability for applications and services that run on your cluster. A Failover Cluster reduces the possibility of any single point of failure within the system that can cause ...
Page 6 - Cluster Solution; Your cluster requires the following hardware components:
6 Introduction Cluster Solution Your cluster supports a minimum of two nodes to a maximum of either eight nodes (with Windows Server 2003 operating systems) or sixteen nodes (with Windows Server 2008 operating systems) and provides the following features: • Gigabit Ethernet technology for iSCSI clus...
Page 7 - Cluster Nodes; Table 1-1 lists the hardware requirements for the cluster nodes.
Introduction 7 Cluster Nodes Table 1-1 lists the hardware requirements for the cluster nodes. Table 1-1. Cluster Node Requirements Component Minimum Requirement Cluster nodes A minimum of two identical PowerEdge servers are required. The maximum number of nodes that is supported depends on the varia...
Page 8 - Cluster Storage; Table 1-3 lists hardware requirements for the AX4-5i storage array.
8 Introduction Cluster Storage Cluster nodes can share access to external storage systems. However, only one of the nodes can own any RAID volume in the external storage system at any time. Microsoft Cluster Services (MSCS) controls which node has access to each RAID volume in the shared storage sys...
Page 9 - NICs Dedicated to iSCSI; Supported Cluster Configurations; Direct-Attached Cluster
Introduction 9 NOTE: Ensure that the core software version running on the storage system is supported. For specific version requirements, see the Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrices located on the Dell High Availability Cluster website at www.dell.com/ha . NICs Dedicated to iSCSI The NIC con...
Page 10 - iSCSI SAN-Attached Cluster
10 Introduction Figure 1-1. Direct-Attached, Single-Cluster Configuration EMC PowerPath Limitations in a Direct-Attached Cluster EMC PowerPath provides failover capabilities and multiple path detection as well as dynamic load balancing between multiple ports on the same storage processor. However, d...
Page 11 - Other Documents You May Need; Rack Installation Guide
Introduction 11 Figure 1-2. iSCSI SAN-Attached Cluster Other Documents You May Need CAUTION: For important safety and regulatory information, see the safety information that shipped with your system. Warranty information may be included within this document or as a separate document. NOTE: To config...
Page 12 - The
12 Introduction • The Dell Failover Clusters with Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Installation and Troubleshooting Guide provides more information on deploying your cluster with the Windows Server 2008 operating system. • The Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrices provides a list of recommended o...
Page 13 - Cabling Your Cluster Hardware; Cabling the Power Supplies
Cabling Your Cluster Hardware 13 Cabling Your Cluster Hardware NOTE: To configure Dell blade server modules in a Dell™ PowerEdge™ cluster, see the Using Dell Blade Servers in a Dell PowerEdge High Availability Cluster document located on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com . Cabling the Mou...
Page 16 - Cabling the Public Network
16 Cabling Your Cluster Hardware Figure 2-3 shows an example of cabling in which dedicated network adapters in each node are connected to each other (for the private network) and the remaining network adapters are connected to the public network. Figure 2-3. Example of Network Cabling Connection Cab...
Page 17 - Cabling the Private Network; NIC Teaming
Cabling Your Cluster Hardware 17 Cabling the Private Network The private network connection to the nodes is provided by a different network adapter in each node. This network is used for intra-cluster communications. Table 2-2 describes three possible private network configurations. NOTE: Throughout...
Page 18 - Cabling the Storage Systems; Cabling Storage for Your Direct-Attached Cluster
18 Cabling Your Cluster Hardware Cabling the Storage Systems This section provides information for connecting your cluster to a storage system in a direct-attached configuration, or to one or more storage systems in an iSCSI SAN-attached configuration. Connect the management port on each storage pro...
Page 19 - Connect cluster node 1 to the storage system.
Cabling Your Cluster Hardware 19 Each cluster node attaches to the storage system using CAT5e or CAT6 LAN cables with RJ45 connectors that attach to Gigabit Ethernet NICs in the cluster nodes and the Gigabit iSCSI storage processor (SP) ports in the Dell|EMC storage system. NOTE: The connections lis...
Page 20 - Cabling Storage for Your iSCSI SAN-Attached Cluster
20 Cabling Your Cluster Hardware Figure 2-5. Cabling the Cluster Nodes to an AX4-5i Storage System Cabling Storage for Your iSCSI SAN-Attached Cluster An iSCSI SAN-attached cluster is a cluster configuration where all cluster nodes are attached to a single storage system or to multiple storage syste...
Page 23 - Connect cluster node 1 to the iSCSI network.
Cabling Your Cluster Hardware 23 Cabling One iSCSI SAN-Attached Cluster to a Dell|EMC AX4-5i Storage System 1 Connect cluster node 1 to the iSCSI network. a Connect a network cable from iSCSI NIC 0 (or NIC port 0) to the network switch 0 (sw0). b Connect a network cable from iSCSI NIC 1 (or NIC port...
Page 25 - For rules and guidelines for iSCSI SAN-attached clusters, see the; In the first cluster, connect cluster node 1 to the iSCSI network.
Cabling Your Cluster Hardware 25 Cabling Multiple iSCSI SAN-Attached Clusters to a Dell|EMC Storage System To cable multiple clusters to the storage system, connect the cluster nodes to the appropriate iSCSI switches and then connect the iSCSI switches to the appropriate storage processors on the pr...
Page 26 - There is a maximum of four storage systems per cluster.; Obtaining More Information
26 Cabling Your Cluster Hardware When attaching multiple storage systems with your cluster, the following rules apply: • There is a maximum of four storage systems per cluster. • The shared storage systems and firmware must be identical. Using dissimilar storage systems and firmware for your shared ...
Page 27 - Cluster Configuration Overview
Preparing Your Systems for Clustering 27 Preparing Your Systems for Clustering CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove and access any of the components inside the system. For complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against...
Page 29 - Test the failover capabilities of your new cluster.; Installation Overview
Preparing Your Systems for Clustering 29 11 Test the failover capabilities of your new cluster. NOTE: For Failover Clusters configured with Windows Server 2008, you can also use the Cluster Validation Wizard . 12 Configure highly-available applications and services on your Failover Cluster. Dependin...
Page 30 - Installing the iSCSI NICs; For information about supported NICs and drivers, see the; Installing the Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator; iscsi initiator
30 Preparing Your Systems for Clustering The following sub-sections describe steps that enable you to establish communication between the cluster nodes and your shared Dell|EMC AX4-5i storage array, and to present disks from the storage array to the cluster. The following installation procedures are...
Page 31 - Modifying the TCP Registry Settings; To modify the TCP Registry:; Installing EMC
Preparing Your Systems for Clustering 31 6 Read and accept the license agreement and click Next to install the software. 7 At the completion screen, click Finish to complete the installation. 8 Select the Do not restart now option to reboot the system after modifying the TCP/IP registry settings in ...
Page 32 - Configuring the Shared Storage System
32 Preparing Your Systems for Clustering 4 In the Choose Language Setup screen, select the required language, and click OK . 5 In the Welcome window of the setup wizard, click Next . 6 In the CLARiiON AX-series window, select PowerPath and click Next . Follow the on-the-screen instructions to comple...
Page 33 - NavisphereTM Express—a
Preparing Your Systems for Clustering 33 5 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. 6 To initialize the storage system: a From the cluster node or management station launch the Navisphere Storage System Initialization Utility that you installed. Go to Start → Programs → EMC → ...
Page 34 - To install Navisphere Server Utility:
34 Preparing Your Systems for Clustering Configuring the Navisphere Server Utility The Navisphere Server Utility registers the cluster node NICs with the storage systems, allowing the nodes to access the cluster storage data. The tool is also used for cluster node maintenance procedures, such as: • ...
Page 37 - To connect to the storage system:
Preparing Your Systems for Clustering 37 To connect to the storage system: 1 On the cluster node, open the Navisphere Server Utility. 2 Select Configure iSCSI Connections on this cluster node and click Next . 3 Select Configure iSCSI Connections and click Next . 4 In the iSCSI Targets and Connection...
Page 41 - Installing and Configuring a Failover Cluster; located on the Dell
Preparing Your Systems for Clustering 41 Installing and Configuring a Failover Cluster You can configure the operating system services on your Failover Cluster, after you have established the private and public networks and have assigned the shared disks from the storage array to the cluster nodes. ...
Page 43 - Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting 43 Troubleshooting This appendix provides troubleshooting information for your cluster configuration. Table A-1 describes general cluster problems you may encounter and the probable causes and solutions for each problem. Table A-1. General Cluster Troubleshooting Problem Probable Cau...
Page 49 - Cluster Data Form
Cluster Data Form 49 Cluster Data Form You can attach the following form in a convenient location near each cluster node or rack to record information about the cluster. Use the form when you call for technical support. Table B-1. Cluster Configuration Information Cluster Information Cluster Solutio...
Page 51 - iSCSI Configuration Worksheet
iSCSI Configuration Worksheet 51 iSCSI Configuration Worksheet If you need additional space for more than one host server, use an additional sheet. A Server 1, iSCSI NIC port 0Server 1, iSCSI NIC port 1Server 2, iSCSI NIC port 0Server 2, iSCSI NIC port 1Server 3, iSCSI NIC port 0Server 3, iSCSI NIC ...
Page 53 - Index
Index 53 Index C cab le co nfigurations cluster interconnect, 17for client networks, 16for mouse, keyboard, and monitor, 13 for power supplies, 13 cluster optional configurations, 9 cluster configurations connecting to multiple shared storage systems, 25 connecting to one shared storage system, 9 di...
