Hey everyone, I'm diving into setting up a high availability solution for a network file storage system. This is my first go at such an installation, so I'm looking for some guidance.
Right now, I'm working within a classic domain using MS Active Directory on Windows Server 2016. My plan involves creating a file server as a Failover Cluster using two Windows Server 2019 nodes. I'm considering a Dell Unity XT380 for storage, with a Fibre Channel direct connection to two Dell PowerEdge R740 servers. I'll equip these servers with 16GB HBA adapters, running Hyper-V Server 2016, on which I'll deploy two virtual machines (Windows Server 2019) to act as the clustering nodes.
My biggest question is whether these virtual nodes can seamlessly connect to the physical HBAs on the Hyper-V hosts. I'm also worried about the hardware meeting the requirements listed here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/plan/virtual-fibre-channel-for-hyper-v.
Has anyone here set up something like this? How did it work out for you? I'd appreciate any insights or experiences you can share. Thanks a ton!
3 Answers
I've dealt with File Server failover clusters before, and you should know there can be issues like data corruption if someone accidentally deletes files. Performance can also take a hit—imagine two billion tiny files getting copied at once; it can really slow things down. Just be aware that problems like cluster malfunctions can happen even more frequently than individual server failures. Keep that in mind!
Could this be linked to malware or something rogue in your network?
Given that you already have a Unity array, check if you can do this natively. Some arrays allow direct setups, though it can get tricky if yours is only Fibre Channel and not standard Ethernet options.
I’d agree with what others have said—this might not be the best route to take. Setting this up in Hyper-V with virtual HBAs just adds extra complications. If your setup is sizable enough that high availability is crucial, consider options like a NetApp for direct file sharing. It gives redundancy without the troubles of Windows clustering and avoids potential data corruption issues from simultaneous writes.
Yikes, that's a nightmare scenario! I hope it doesn't come to that for you.