MSA1000 Windows2003 4-node SQL cluster

[Mike_392]

I'm planning on building a MSA1000 Windows2003 4-node SQL cluster.

Question #1: Are fibre switches required or can you use hubs (dual 7-port external)?

Question #2: Can you mix stand-alone servers and cluster in the same SAN? Do the standalone servers need to be dual HBA?

[MC1903]

Mike,

Take a look at the SAN Design Guide & the MSA1000 Compatibility Matrix at http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/san/documentation.html

The most upto date information is available here!

Martin

[Mike Naime · Accepted solution]

#1 -- Some sort of fiber switch is required for a SAN. Otherwise it is still direct attached storage. The MSA can have an 8 port SAN switch installed in the back of the MSA itself. Or, you can use an external SAN switch.
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#2 A-- Yes, you can also mix multiple OS's in a SAN. I have AIX, VMS, and W2K in mine.
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#2 B -- No, You only need a minimum of one HBA to see the SAN based storage. If you only use one HBA, you can skip the Multi-path software. (Plus side) The downside to this is that if for some reason your path goes away.... you have lost your connection to your storage. (No redundancy)

[Doug de Werd]

to add to this....

yes you can mix clusters and standalone servers on the same MSA1000. You MUST use switches and not hubs. You will also need to zone out the clusters separately from the standalone servers, and also set Selective Storage Presentation (SSP) to limit access to the LUNs. As for dual/single HBAs, all servers connected to a single MSA1000 must be configured the same - they are all either single HBA or all dual HBA (running Secure Path). You cannot mix servers with dual HBAs and servers with single HBAs on the same MSA1000.

Thanks,
Doug

[Mike_392]

Thanks for all the information, very helpful.

Can anyone respond to this doc....MSA Compatability Matrix (ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/products/storageworks/techdoc/msa1000/MSACompatibilitymatrix.pdf)

It states that only 2-node clusters are supported on the MSA1000.

Thanks again,
Mike

[Doug de Werd]

The 8-node certification testing is just now being completed, and it is passing with flying colors. The statement about 2-node only support is HP's official stance until the 8-node testing is formally completed. The 8-node certification should be getting posted shortly, but you can go ahead and deploy your 4-node cluster confidently right now. It may take a while for all of the respective docs to get updated, but we are in the process of making that happen.

Thanks,
Doug

[david5337_1]

Good information.
But there is a small problem that the MSA1000 doesn't support AIX etc UNIX os.