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Is it possible to create a 4 nodes MSCS with a MSA500 GE storage?

 
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Rui Vilao
Regular Advisor

Is it possible to create a 4 nodes MSCS with a MSA500 GE storage?

We are planning a four nodes MSCS cluster in a Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition Environment. According to Microsoft (KB288778), only a 2 nodes cluster is supported using SCSI to connect to external storage.

I have checked the G2Modular Smart Array 500 G2 Storage specifications and it states that it supports 4-node clustering.

Any help/suggestion is highly appreciated.

TIA.

Kind Regards,

Rui Vilao.
"We should never stop learning"_________ rui.vilao@rocketmail.com
3 REPLIES 3
Stephen Kebbell
Honored Contributor
Solution

Re: Is it possible to create a 4 nodes MSCS with a MSA500 GE storage?

Hi,

4-node clusters on the MSA500 are only supported under Novell Netware or Linux. For MSCS you are only allowed 2 nodes for SCSI shared storage, as the MS-KB article says. See also the compatibility Matrix for the MSA500, page 2:
ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/products/servers/proliantstorage/sharedstorage/msa500g2-compatibility.pdf

Regards,
Stephen
Rui Vilao
Regular Advisor

Re: Is it possible to create a 4 nodes MSCS with a MSA500 GE storage?

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for your contribution.
That├в s a pity├в ┬ж
This means that a four node MSCS in a 2003 environment will require at least a MSA1000 with FC switch├в ┬ж

It should work according to the Matrix:
http://h200005.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00262470/c00262470.pdf

Any better suggestion is welcome.

TIA,

R
"We should never stop learning"_________ rui.vilao@rocketmail.com
Stephen Kebbell
Honored Contributor

Re: Is it possible to create a 4 nodes MSCS with a MSA500 GE storage?

Hi Rui,

yes you will require at least an MSA1000 for a 4-node MSCS cluster.
The Small Business SAN kit described in the Link you posted includes a switch (2/8q - from Qlogic I guess), 2 HBAs and 3 cables to connect 2 servers.

You will obviously need extra HBAs, cables and SFPs (modules for the switch) to connect 4 servers. For extra redundancy you can use the HA kit (extra controller, 2nd switch, 2 extra HBAs) and free MPIO multipathing software. MPIO on the MSA also supports a 4-node MSCS cluster.

Note that the MSA1000 Small Business SAN is a "standalone" SAN solution. You cannot add extra switches to make a larger SAN for adding extra devices, or integrate it into an existing SAN. If you wanted to do this, choose the normal MSA1000, and configure it with other switches and HBAs listed in the specifications.
http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/msa1000/index.html

Regards,
Stephen