using starwind with ms cluster on windows server 2008

StarWind SoftwareTechnical Reference Series

StarWind iSCSI SAN Software: Using StarWindwith MS Cluster on Windows Server 2008

www.starwindsoftware.com

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The material in this document is for information only and is subject to change withoutnotice. While reasonable efforts have been made in the preparation of this documentto assure its accuracy, StarWind Software assumes no liability resulting from errors oromissions in this document, or from the use of the information contained herein.StarWind Software reserves the right to make changes in the product design withoutreservation and without notification to its users.

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Table of Contents

....................................................................................................... 4Introduction

....................................................................................................... 6Configuring Domain Controller................................................................................................................ 6Network Adapter ................................................................................................................ 7Active Directory

................................................................................................................ 19DNS

................................................................................................................ 32User Accounts ....................................................................................................... 42Configuring StarWind Server

................................................................................................................ 42Network Adapter

................................................................................................................ 43Preparing Quorum Volume

................................................................................................................ 51Preparing Generic Volume ....................................................................................................... 59Preparing Cluster Nodes

................................................................................................................ 59Node 1

................................................................................................................ 96Node 2 ....................................................................................................... 122Configuring Microsoft Cluster Service

................................................................................................................ 122Validate a Configuration

................................................................................................................ 129Create a Cluster ....................................................................................................... 136Adding New Shared Disk Resource

................................................................................................................ 136StarWind Target

................................................................................................................ 143Node 1

................................................................................................................ 155Node 2 ....................................................................................................... 165Conclusion

Introduction

Software clustering technology enables you to make several servers to workas a unit. Various cluster configurations can be implemented. One of the mostfrequently used configurations is the failover cluster. This configurationassumes that if one of the cluster nodes fails, the reserved node automaticallybrings online, serving the applications. With that the workflow remainsuninterrupted and secured.

Failover cluster configuration includes two (or more) server nodes that sharean external storage. Based on the iSCSI technology, StarWind Softwafe Inc.StarWind enables to create an external storage in Windows environmentwithout implementation of expensive FC or external SCSI solutions. WithStarWind you can create a shared disk array on a host running MicrosoftWindows.

This document gives you detailed step-by-step instructions on StarWindconfiguring for failover clusters.

Figure 1. StarWind provides shared-disk resources to clusters

Configuring Domain Controller

Network Adapter

The network adapter must be assigned a static IP address. Select the Use thefollowing IP address option and type in the IP address you wish to use. TheSubnet mask must also be provided. Both values must be correctly chosengiven the networking configuration of the Corporate LAN. As AD requiresDNS, an address must be provided – in this case we can specify 127.0.0.1(loopback interface address). DNS will be installed later with the other ADcomponents.

Press the OK button.

Active Directory

Select Start->Run and type in dcpromo.

Press the OK button to continue.

The Active Directory Domain Services Installation Wizard appears.

Press the Next button to continue.

In the wizard that appears please read the introducing instructions.

As we are creating a new domain, select Create a new domain in a new forest.

Specify the full DNS name of the domain to create.

Select the forest functional level. In this example, we are going to use onlyWindows Server 2008 machines so select Windows Server 2008 functionallevel.

Select additional options.

A DNS warning dialog appears.

Press the Yes button to continue.

Customize the directories where the AD database, log files and SYSVOL datawill be stored or leave the values at their defaults.

Type in the Directory Services Restore Mode Administrator Password.

Check that all of the parameters are correct. Press the Back button should anychange be required.

If successful, the wizard should look like the example image provided below.

Press the Finish button to close the wizard.

Press the Restart Now button to restart the computer.

Log on to the Domain controller using an account with administrativeprivileges. Launch the DNS Manager and configure the Reverse Lookup Zone.

Press the right mouse button over the Reverse Lookup Zone node and selectNew Zone... popup menu item.

New Zone Wizard appears.

On the Zone Type page, select Primary Zone option and check the Store thezone in the Active Directory checkbox.

Specify the replication scope or accept the default option.

Choose IPv4 Reverse Lookup Zone

Type in the Network ID to identify the reverse lookup zone.

Specify dynamic update options.

Press the Finish button.

Press the right mouse button over rds.local forward lookup zone and selectNew Host (A or AAAA)... pop-up menu item.

New Host dialog appears. Type in the hostname of the Cluster Node 1 Serverand its IP address. Also please check the Create associated pointer (PTR)record checkbox.

Press the Add Host button to add node1 DNS record.

Type in the hostname of the Cluster Node 2 Server and its IP address. Alsoplease check the Create associated pointer (PTR) record checkbox.

Press the Add Host button to add node2 DNS record.

If successful, the DNS Manager console should look like the example imagesprovided below.

User Accounts

Administrator accounts must now be created to manage first and the secondcluster node servers. Launch the Active Directory Users and Computersmanagement console.

Press the right mouse button over the Users node. Select New->User.

In the dialog that appears, enter the required fields as shown in the exampleimage.

Enter the password and optionally set the additional options.

Press the Finish button to create new user.

Once again press the right mouse button over the Users node.

Select New->User.

In the dialog that appears, enter the required fields as shown in the exampleimage.

Enter the password and optionally set the additional options.

Press the Finish button to create new user.

The two users, node1adm and node2adm, must be made members of boththe Administrators and Domain Admins groups. Select both of the accountsand press the right mouse button over the selection as shown in the exampleimage.

Select Add to a group option.

Select Groups dialog appears. Enter the names of the groups.

Configuring StarWind Server

Network Adapter

The network adapter must be assigned a static IP address. Select the Use thefollowing IP address option and type in the IP address you wish to use. TheSubnet mask must also be provided. Both values must be correctly chosengiven the networking configuration of the dedicate iSCSI network that thecluster will be a part of. This interface is used for iSCSI target storagecommunications and a default gateway need not be specified.

Preparing Quorum Volume

Launch the StarWind Management Console selecting Start -> All Programs ->StarWind Software -> StarWind -> StarWind. After the console is launched itsicon appears in the system tray. Double click the icon with the left mousebutton or single click it with the right and select Start Management pop-upmenu item.From the StarWind Servers tree please select the computer you wish toconnect to. Press the right mouse button over the desired host (computer)and select the Connect menu item. You will be prompted to enter the login andpassword. Default ones are: root, starwind. You can always change them later. After you have successfully connected to the StarWind Service, please clickthe right mouse button over the desired host (computer) and select AddTarget pop-up menu item.In the wizard that appears, select a target name. The name must be a uniquename by which the device will be declared to the iSCSI initiators connecting toStarWind over an IP network.

Select Image File device.

Select Create new virtual disk to create a new virtual hard disk or Mountexisting virtual disk to mount an existing virtual disk that you’ve preparedbefore.

If you have decided to create a new virtual disk please specify the location andthe name of the virtual disk you wish to be created. Also you have to providethe virtual disk size in megabytes. Check any additional parameters of thevirtual disk you wish to create. Please refer to the online help for detailsregarding those additional parameters (Compressed and Encrypted).

Image File device has some extra parameters. Check Allow multipleconcurrent iSCSI connections (clustering) checkbox. Please refer to the onlinehelp for details regarding those additional parameters (Asynchronous mode,Allow multiple connections (clustering), Read-only mode and Specifyadvanced options).

Check the device parameters are correct. Press the Back button should anychanges be required.

A summary of the created device is displayed on the last wizard page (seeimage below).

Preparing Generic Volume

Click the right mouse button over the host and select Add Target pop-up menuitem.In the wizard that appears, select a target name. The name must be a uniquename by which the device will be declared to the iSCSI initiators connecting toStarWind over an IP network.

If you have decided to create a new virtual disk please specify the location andthe name of the virtual disk you wish to be created. Also you have to providethe virtual disk size in megabytes. Check any additional parameters of thevirtual disk you wish to create. Please refer to the online help for detailsregarding those additional parameters (Compressed and Encrypted).

If successful, the StarWind Console should look like the sample imageprovided below.

Preparing Cluster Nodes

Node 1

Configuring network interfaces

Each adapter will be assigned a static IP address. Select the Use the followingIP address option and type in the IP address you wish to use. The Subnet maskand DNS server address must also be provided. All the values must becorrectly chosen given the networking configuration of the Corporate LAN thatthe cluster will be a part of. As this interface is for the public network, a defaultgateway will need to be assigned.

Just as was done for the first network adapter, assign appropriate values tothe TCP/IP configuration of the second network adapter using the followingexample image as guidance. This interface is used for iSCSI target storagecommunications and a default gateway need not be specified.

Joining the domain

Launch System Properties tool selecting Control Panel -> System.

Click the Change settings item.

Select Computer Name tab.

Press the Change… button.

In the Computer Name Changes dialog enter domain to join.

Enter the name and password of an account with permission to join to thedomain (node1adm).

Press the OK button to join.

If successful, the notification dialog like the one on the image shown belowshould appear.

You must restart the computer for the changes to take effect.

Restart the server. Log in as node1adm and install MS iSCSI Initator.

Configuring iSCSI initiator

Launch the Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator application Administrative Tools-> iSCSI Initiator

Select the Discovery Tab.

In the Target Portals group, click the Add Portal... button.

Press the Add Portal... button.

In the Add Target Portal dialog enter IP address or DNS name of the StarWindtarget server.

Click on the Targets tab. Select the IQN of the target just added.

Press the Log On… button.

The Log On to Target dialog now appears. In this dialog click on the checkboxAutomatically restore this connection when the system boots to make thisconnection persistent.

If successful, the initiator is now logged on to StarWind.

Initializing, formatting and creating partitions

When the StarWind Disks are connected, they show up on the initiatormachine as new disk devices. Before these devices can be used as clusterdisks, they have to be initialized and formatted. Launch the ComputerManagement console.

Select Disk Management.

Bring disks online. Press the right mouse button over the disk and selectOnline.

Initialize the Disks. Press the right mouse button over the Disk and selectInitialize Disk. Follow the wizard to initialize the new disks.

Both disks have now been initialized.

Right-click over the unallocated space and select New Simple Volume. Followthe instructions in the wizard to create an NTFS partition for use as thequorum disk.

New Simple Volume Wizard appears.

Specify new volume size in megabytes.

Choose the Drive Letter to assign.

Specify format options. Provide the Volume Label.

Check the settings are correct. Press the Back button should any changes berequired.

If successful, a new volume will be created as shown in the example imagebelow. Repeat the same steps to create the second volume.

Right-click over the unallocated space and select New Simple Volume. Followthe instructions in the wizard to create an NTFS partition for use as the genericdisk.

New Partition Wizard appears.

If successful, both of the disks are now formatted as shown in the exampleimage below.

Installing Failover Clustering Feature

Launch the Computer Management console. Select Features node from thelist.

Click the Add Features to continue.

Add Features Wizard appears. Check the Failover Clustering feature.

Check that the parameters are correct. Press the Previous button should anychanges be required.

Complete the installation of the Failover Clustering Feature by pressing theInstall button.

If the feature is successfully installed, the wizard should look similar to theexample image below.

Press the Close button.

Shut down the server.

Node 2

Configuring network interfaces

Each adapter will be assigned a static IP address. Select the Use the followingIP address option and type in the IP address you wish to use. The Subnet maskand DNS server address must also be provided. All the values must becorrectly chosen given the networking configuration of the Corporate LAN thatthe cluster will be a part of. As this interface is for the public network, a defaultgateway will need to be assigned.

Just as was done for the first network adapter, assign appropriate values tothe TCP/IP configuration of the second network adapter using the followingexample image as guidance. This interface is used for iSCSI target storagecommunications and a default gateway need not be specified.

Joining the domain

Launch System Properties tool selecting Control Panel -> System.

Click the Change settings item.

Select Computer Name tab.

Press the Change… button.

In the Computer Name Changes dialog enter domain to join.

Enter the name and password of an account with permission to join to thedomain (node2adm).

Press the OK button to join.

If successful, the notification dialog like the one on the image shown belowshould appear.

You must restart the computer for the changes to take effect.

Restart the server. Log in as node2adm and install MS iSCSI Initator.

Configuring iSCSI initiator

Launch the Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator application Administrative Tools-> iSCSI Initiator

Select the Discovery Tab.

In the Target Portals group, click the Add Portal... button.

Press the Add Portal... button.

In the Add Target Portal dialog enter IP address or DNS name of the StarWindtarget server.

Click on the Targets tab. Select the IQN of the target just added.

If successful, the initiator is now logged on to StarWind.

Assigning drive letters

When the StarWind Disks are connected, they show up on the initiatormachine as new disk devices. Before these devices can be used as clusterdisks, they have to be mounted. Launch the Computer Management console.

Select Disk Management.

The picture below shows that Windows has automatically assigned DriveLetters to the mounted volumes. As these are local drive letters they may notbe the same as we have assigned to these volumes on the first node. However,as all volumes of a cluster must be assigned the same drive letters, anydifferences must be manually changed. Press the right mouse button over theQuorum volume.

Select Change Drive Letter and Paths...

Change the Drive Latter for the Quorum to Q.

Press the right mouse button over the Generic volume.

Change the Drive Latter for the Generic to R.

If successful, the Computer Management console should look like the sampleimage provided below.

Installing Failover Clustering Feature

Launch the Computer Management console. Select Features node from thelist.

Click the Add Features to continue.

Add Features Wizard appears. Check the Failover Clustering feature.

Check that the parameters are correct. Press the Previous button should anychanges be required.

Complete the installation of the Failover Clustering Feature by pressing theInstall button.

If the feature is successfully installed, the wizard should look similar to theexample image below.

Press the Close button.

Shut down the server.

Configuring Microsoft Cluster Service

Validate a Configuration

Start both Cluster Node 1 Server and Cluster Node 2 Server. Launch theFailover Cluster Management console selecting Administrative Tools->Failover Cluster Management.

After the management console is launched please click Validate aConfiguration... item to ensure that the configuration is suitable for failoverclustering.

Validate a Configuration Wizard appears.

Add the names of servers you wish to use as cluster nodes.

Select Run all tests (recommended) for testing the complete configuration.

Check the parameters are correct. Press the Previous button should anychanges be required.

If all of the tests are successful, the wizard should look similar to the exampleimage below.

If successful, the wizard should look like the example picture provided below.

Create a Cluster

It is now time to create the cluster. Click Create a Cluster item from theActions panel shown on the right.

Create a Cluster Wizard appears.

Add the names of servers you wish to use as cluster nodes.

Specify Cluster Name and Cluster IP address.

Check the parameters are correct. Press the Previous button should anychanges be required.

If successful, the wizard should look like the example picture provided below.

Now that the creation of the cluster is complete it will be shown in the panel onthe left.Expand the cluster by clicking on the ‘+’ symbol next to the cluster, then clickon Storage. The Failover Cluster Management console should look like theexample picture provided below. Both cluster disk resources will be shown asonline.

Adding New Shared Disk Resource

StarWind Target

Click the right mouse button over the host and select Add Target pop-up menuitem.In the wizard that appears, select a target name. The name must be a uniquename by which the device will be declared to the iSCSI initiators connecting toStarWind over an IP network.

If you have decided to create a new virtual disk please specify the location andthe name of the virtual disk you wish to be created. Also you have to providethe virtual disk size in megabytes. Check any additional parameters of thevirtual dsik you wish to create. Please refer to the online help for detailsregarding those additional parameters (Compressed and Encrypted).

Node 1

Launch the Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator application Administrative Tools-> iSCSI Initiator. Click on the Targets tab. Select the IQN of the target justadded.

When the StarWind Disks are connected, they show up on the initiatormachine as new disk devices. Before these devices can be used as clusterdisks, they have to be initialized and formatted. Launch the ComputerManagement console. Select Disk Management.

Bring disk online. Press the right mouse button over the disk and select Online.

Initialize the Disk. Press the right mouse button over the Disk and selectInitialize Disk. Follow the wizard to initialize the new disk.

The disk has now been initialized. Right-click over the unallocated space andselect New Simple Volume. Follow the instructions in the wizard to create anNTFS partition for use as the spool disk.

New Simple Volume Wizard appears.

If successful, the disk is now formatted as shown in the example image below.

Shut down the node.

Node 2

Launch the Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator application Administrative Tools-> iSCSI Initiator. Click on the Targets tab. Select the IQN of the target justadded.

When the StarWind Disks are connected, they show up on the initiatormachine as new disk devices. Before these devices can be used as clusterdisks, they have to be mounted. Launch the Computer Management console.Select Disk Management.

The picture below shows that Windows has automatically assigned DriveLetters to the mounted volumes. As these are local drive letters they may notbe the same as we have assigned to these volumes on the first node. However,as all volumes of a cluster must be assigned the same drive letters, anydifferences must be manually changed. Press the right mouse button over theSpool volume.

Change the Drive Latter for the Spool to S.

If successful, the Computer Management console should look like the sampleimage provided below.

Launch the Failover Cluster Management console. Click on Storage node.

Click Add a Disk item from the Actions panel shown on the right.

Add Disks to a Cluster dialog appears. Select the disk to add.

When completed, the disk is now a cluster disk.

Start the other servers in the cluster.

Conclusion

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