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Question
Tuesday, November 21, 2017 5:09 PM
Hi,
I need some information about the possibility to install an hyper-v cluster HA without SAN.
I read that StarWind can be installed as a virtual SAN using local disks nodes, but the free version enable only 128GB for storage HA.
So, is there a way to configure a cluster HA using Hyper-V without using a SAN and using only the local disks of the two servers?
Thank’s
All replies (20)
Tuesday, November 21, 2017 7:14 PM ✅Answered | 2 votes
With Windows 2016, it's theorically possible using Storage Space Direct
hth
This posting is provided AS IS without warranty of any kind
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 4:28 AM ✅Answered | 1 vote
Hi,
You can use the windows Scale out File server that helps you to achieve the requirement. SoFS works on SMB3 and is well suitable for Hyper-V loads. windows 2012 and 2012R2 has this feature. Also there are more options in windows 2016 to use a server as storage box.
/en-us/windows-server/storage/refs/refs-overview
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh831349%28v=ws.11%29.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396
Hope this helps to understand
Regards,
Bala
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 10:45 AM ✅Answered | 1 vote
Thank you for the reply,
but I have Windows 2012 not Windows 2016. And I don't know if this one can use Storage Space Direct
As you´ll find in the hardware requirements, S2D is a Windows Server 2016 (DC) feature and it provides "local" CSV´s (shared Volumes) on an aggregated Storage Pool, also for 2 Nodes.
I think that can be a solution for me (2 physical serves and use Storage Space Direct). But I need a Windows Server 2016
Do you think, that this solution can be used in production?
Absolutly. OK, in reasons of fault tolerance and resiliency 3 or 4 Nodes upwards are the better solution. Nevertheless, think about your configuration and use certified hardware. As i already suggested, search for your prefered partner. It depends also of the budget and the requirements. You can design a hyper-converged Cluster with Hyper-V and Storage on the Nodes.
https://www.windowspro.de/marcel-kueppers
I write here only in private interest
Disclaimer: This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties or guarantees, and confers no rights.
Thursday, November 23, 2017 4:34 AM ✅Answered
Hi, Djida.
StarWind VSAN has no limitation in on storage HA capacity in both paid and free version. The free version is fully functional and allowed in production. The only key difference is the management type. With the paid version you have a graphical UI and free version should be managed using PowerShell like Windows Server Core.
As already mentioned above you can use either S2D (Storage Space Direct) or StarWind for a 2-node failover cluster deployment.
In order to use S2D, you have to ensure that your hardware is included in HCL and your internal drives are connected to a compatible HBA card (or RAID card that is capable of working in pass-through mode - BusType SATA/SAS). StarWind is hardware-agnostic and works on top of almost any types of hardware.
Another point is the redundancy, which is very important. With Storage Spaces Direct you are basically running some kind of RAID0 inside the single host mirrored between both hosts which means if one host dies and even a single drive in a second host fails too - all your data is gone. StarWind works on top of hardware RAID which grants you additional performance offloading storage operations to it saving some CPU resources and protecting your data within every single host. Of course, you lose some usable capacity depending on the RAID level you go with.
Those are the key points that hopefully will help you to make a right decision.
More information about S2D can be found here:
/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-spaces/storage-spaces-direct-overview
Download link for free StarWind VSAN:
https://www.starwindsoftware.com/starwind-virtual-san-free
Step-by-step guide for your particular configuration:
Best regards,
Taras Shved
StarWind Software
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Note: Posts are provided “AS IS” without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 8:20 AM | 1 vote
Here are the Hardware requirements for Storage Spaces Direct (S2D):
/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-spaces/storage-spaces-direct-hardware-requirements
I suggest to contact a hardware partner to get an offer:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/cloud-platform/software-defined-datacenter#partner
BR,
https://www.windowspro.de/marcel-kueppers
I write here only in private interest
Disclaimer: This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties or guarantees, and confers no rights.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 9:30 AM
Thank you for the reply
But, if I understand, I need a share storage in addition to two nodes whose constitute the cluster?
Can I use the local disks of the nodes to constitute a shared storage?
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 9:32 AM
Thank you for the reply,
but I have Windows 2012 not Windows 2016. And I don't know if this one can use Storage Space Direct
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 9:33 AM
Hi
Yes you need a shared storage or a FS (as I have stated SoFS) to constitute a cluster. Local disks of the Hyper-V servers can not be used to build a cluster. It will fail at the validation step.
Regards,
Bala
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 9:40 AM
Hi
Yes you need a shared storage or a FS (as I have stated SoFS) to constitute a cluster. Local disks of the Hyper-V servers can not be used to build a cluster. It will fail at the validation step.
Regards,
Bala
Thank you. It's clear now for me
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 9:44 AM
but I have Windows 2012 not Windows 2016. And I don't know if this one can use Storage Space Direct
SoFS can be configured in 2012 but SSD is available only from 2016.
For example, if you have 4 physical servers, 2 physical servers can be configured as continuosly available Scale out File server (article is here)
The other 2 can be configured as Hyper-V cluster and to configure the same to use the File server as its storage (article). With this we can achieve redundancy at both the levels.
Regards,
Bala
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 9:56 AM
Thank you for the reply,
but I have Windows 2012 not Windows 2016. And I don't know if this one can use Storage Space Direct
As you´ll find in the hardware requirements, S2D is a Windows Server 2016 (DC) feature and it provides "local" CSV´s (shared Volumes) on an aggregated Storage Pool, also for 2 Nodes.
In your case, a solution is to go with StarWind and these limitations you mentioned are not known from my side:
https://www.starwindsoftware.com/whitepapers/starwind-virtual-san-free-vs-paid.pdf
https://www.windowspro.de/marcel-kueppers
I write here only in private interest
Disclaimer: This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties or guarantees, and confers no rights.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 10:33 AM
but I have Windows 2012 not Windows 2016. And I don't know if this one can use Storage Space Direct
SoFS can be configured in 2012 but SSD is available only from 2016.
For example, if you have 4 physical servers, 2 physical servers can be configured as continuosly available Scale out File server
The other 2 can be configured as Hyper-V cluster and to configure the same to use the File server as its storage . With this we can achieve redundancy at both the levels.
Regards,
Bala
I really limited to only two physical servers; that's why I try to find to best solution to install an HA hyper v cluster
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 10:38 AM
Thank you for the reply,
but I have Windows 2012 not Windows 2016. And I don't know if this one can use Storage Space Direct
As you´ll find in the hardware requirements, S2D is a Windows Server 2016 (DC) feature and it provides "local" CSV´s (shared Volumes) on an aggregated Storage Pool, also for 2 Nodes.
I think that can be a solution for me (2 physical serves and use Storage Space Direct). But I need a Windows Server 2016
Do you think, that this solution can be used in production?
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 10:54 AM | 1 vote
Hi,
S2D is fine to use in production, however if you only have 2 nodes, plan your vdisks carefully as you are not able to convert volumes to a 3-way mirror if/when you add another node. You would need to storage migrate (copy or use storage replica) all your VMs onto the new volume.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 10:59 AM
Thank you for the reply,
but I have Windows 2012 not Windows 2016. And I don't know if this one can use Storage Space Direct
As you´ll find in the hardware requirements, S2D is a Windows Server 2016 (DC) feature and it provides "local" CSV´s (shared Volumes) on an aggregated Storage Pool, also for 2 Nodes.
In your case, a solution is to go with StarWind and these limitations you mentioned are not known from my side:
Sorry, I only saw now your comment about starWind.
So, if I'm not limited on HA storage with StarWind free version. What can be the best solution?
- The use of Windows Server 2012 with StarWind (I have to be sur that the HA storage is not limited)
OR
2. The use of Windows Server 2016 with Storage Space Direct
Both solution using only 2 physical servers
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 11:08 AM | 1 vote
Please compare both solutions by yourself (Features, supported protocols, Hardware requirements, etc.), maybe it depends on your requirements for HA and your budget. Personally i prefer the native Storages Spaces Direct. If you think about a free edition in case of StarWind, my guess is, you want not to invest so much.
https://www.windowspro.de/marcel-kueppers
I write here only in private interest
Disclaimer: This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties or guarantees, and confers no rights.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 11:18 AM
Please compare both solutions by yourself (Features, supported protocolls, Hardware requirements, etc.), maybe it depends on your requirements for HA and your budget. Personally i prefer the native Storages Spaces Direct. If you think about a free edition in case of StarWind, my guess is, you want not to invest so much.
Thank you so much for all this information.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 11:21 AM
You´re welcome, maybe these informations are only a trigger for a rethinking and define your requirements.
https://www.windowspro.de/marcel-kueppers
I write here only in private interest
Disclaimer: This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties or guarantees, and confers no rights.
Thursday, November 23, 2017 6:49 AM
Hi Djida,
As the above has provides some valuable suggestions about the storage deployment, you may mark most useful information as answer so that the reply will be highlighted. If you have other specific S2D questions, welcome to feedback on cluster forum. For StarWind SAN related information, it's recommended to consult in StarWind community.
Best Regards,
Anne
Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help.
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Thursday, December 21, 2017 9:18 AM
Hi,
Is it possible to configure Storage Space Direct with 1Gb network interface?