WellingtonIS
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Looking for Information on Moving to a new cluster storage device
I have a current storage device which is clustered between 4 servers (2 application servers, and 2 database servers) There are 2 quorum disks one is attached to the database and the other is attached to the application sever - all of this resides on the SAN unit. I have 10 disks on my application server and 3 disks on my SQL server. I've tried with the vendor 2 times and he's failed to migrate the cluster to the new storage unit. Let me just say the new storage unit is set up exactly like the old storage unit and all the data is copied. Can someone give me some information on the method to attach the new storage unit and detach from the old storage unit? I think you have to break the cluster 1st because if you don't the drives will just fail over and apparently the contractor doesn't understand the concept of a cluster.
ASKER
There is an EMC attached to a switch by fiber and the 4 servers are attached to the switch by fiber too. Then I have a Nimble attached by fibre to the same switch. I tried and I'm still trying to use PACS who is the vendor for the software. The Nimble is connected to both machines but it is not clustered. I believe both are Raid 5 and there are a total of 11 drives clustered and 2 Quorum drives. The Nimble is an exact copy of the EMC.
All of you servers are physical? If so, this will be a PITA.
You need to create Nimble volumes that corresponds to existing EMC ones and connect the cluster nodes to them. Then they need to be added to cluster. You should be able to easily move quorum to Nimble volume. You probably need to robocopy application data over. You will need to somehow change drive letters from old storage to new. I have yet to work with a product vendor that had anyone that was any better than a barely competent tier 1 systems administrator. I suggest a consultant if you're not capable of doing things yourself if you want smaller periods of downtime.
You need to create Nimble volumes that corresponds to existing EMC ones and connect the cluster nodes to them. Then they need to be added to cluster. You should be able to easily move quorum to Nimble volume. You probably need to robocopy application data over. You will need to somehow change drive letters from old storage to new. I have yet to work with a product vendor that had anyone that was any better than a barely competent tier 1 systems administrator. I suggest a consultant if you're not capable of doing things yourself if you want smaller periods of downtime.
ASKER
I already did however, I don't have enough drive letters to cover both sides. What happens when you try to remove a drive from the server, the drive your removing fails over to the other server. I'm having that issue now no one seems to be competent to do this which is why I'm trying to at least research method.
You will need to shut down the cluster or remove the old volume from cluster storage while you are changing drive letters. Otherwise, the cluster rightly detects the storage failure and triggers a failover.
ASKER
That's what I though... However, what about if I break the cluster, have one side with the old and the virtual IP and attach the nimble (new) side to the down server. When all that is connected then get rid of the old EMC and add the other server that was attached to the EMC and create the new cluster? OR... My nimble is exactly the same as the EMC existing. Is it really that hard to shut the EMC and just attach the Nimble with the same cluster IP addresses?
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ASKER
thanks. I'm going to pass this on and hopefully someone that's more knowledgeable, experienced than I am at doing this can make this happen. This is a hospital and we can't have this down for too long because this is our x-ray system.
11 Drives and you have run out of drive letters?
If your vendor isnt capable of migrating your cluster, i think you should be asking for your money back and going to another Vendor who can!
If your vendor isnt capable of migrating your cluster, i think you should be asking for your money back and going to another Vendor who can!
ASKER
LOL If only! Unfortunately, we are under contract with these wonderful vendors
You need a RFP for moving from Windows 2008 R2 physical cluster to 2016 cluster of VMs. ;)
ASKER
I can't do that for at least 2 years. I'm stuck with this like this.
WellingtonIS, do you still need help with this?
ASKER
Basically that's what we did. thanks.
Make, RAID controller, RAID levels, how attached etc at the physical and logical
Are you saying that the new storage system isn't even connected to the cluster?
What has the vendor tried?