881223 - How to add a Share Disk resource to a cluster?

  • hi

    i've created a Windows Server Cluster with two nodes. the resources included in this cluster are of kind "Cluster IP Address", "Cluster Name" and "Majority Node Set". there're only these three resources in the cluster. the cluster is not erroneous. when installing SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Edition on the first node (New SQL Server failover cluster installation), i get the following error:

    Rule "Cluster shared disk available check" failed.

    The cluster on this computer does not have a shared disk available. To continue, at least one shared disk must be available.

    i tried to add such a resource. but no "Share Disk" resource type available to create a new instance of. instead there's a "Share File" resource. does this error mean that i've to create a new resource of type "Share File" in the cluster?

    what must i do?

  • What sort of disk subsystem are you working with?

    In general I've seen SANs used to handle the clustered disk resource, with both nodes of the cluster having access to the disk. One node gets the clustered disk resource, and the disk resource is configured so that it fails over to the other node.

    I think you can do this with NAS or SCSI Direct Attached, but it requires very special hardware.

    How are the disks configured in your cluster?



    --Mark Tassin
    MCITP - SQL Server DBA
    Proud member of the Anti-RBAR alliance.
    For help with Performance click this link[/url]
    For tips on how to post your problems[/url]

  • the nodes indeed are two virtual machines provided by ESX. i've added one hard disk to one and two to the other.

  • two virtual machines provided by ESX

    We had a similar issue on ESX, with a shared virtual disk, Server picked it up, but SQL refused.

    Hope someone can clear this issue up?

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    This thing is addressing problems that dont exist. Its solution-ism at its worst. We are dumbing down machines that are inherently superior. - Gilfoyle

  • is this a windows 2003 or windows 2008 cluster?

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

  • Windows 2003 Enterprise Ed.

  • Are both VM's on the same host?

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

  • yes

  • then add the shared HDD to both VM's and share the SCSI bus on each VM accordingly

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

  • then add the shared HDD to both VM's and share the SCSI bus on each VM accordingly

    what do u mean by the shared HDD. i've to create a virtual HDD and add it to both machines? how can i have an HDD shared?

    what do u mean by the SCSI bus? do i have to add a new hardware to the virtual machines? how can i share them?

    note that i know nothing about it.

    thx

  • The virtual disk you are sharing needs to be attached to both VM's. Create a single HDD on each VM and use SCSI 0 as the controller, this will be the boot (C:) drive. When adding the shared virtual hard disk(s) use SCSI 1 as the controller. The controller itself has settings you can modify. You need to set SCSI bus sharing to virtual on both VM's.

    What version of ESX are you using?

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

  • Try to use a third party software like FreeNAS, Openfiler ,Starwind, ETC

    1- Create 5 HD (1-Quorum 1-Dtc 1- SQL Temp Db 1- Log File 1-MDF)

    2- Using ISCII , connect to the NAS/SAN (Need to connect using a valid the IP Address)

    3-Go to Computer Management.

    4- Initialize the HD and Format it.

    if more help is needed , please let me know.

  • This is a Windows 2003 cluster and so will support ESX shared HDD's \SCSI bus!

    The OP barely has the skills to add a shared virtual HDD let alone deploy a virtual SAN and configure LUNs over iSCSI!!

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

  • wow! that's it! that's it! 🙂

    the major problem was that i couldn't add a shared HDD to more than one VM's. now the problem is resolved by ur suggestion. thank u.

    now that both VM's r running, i'm going to go ahead and experience new things.

    i will add next steps problems.

    thanx for now 🙂

  • now i could succeed to pass the check and u caused it. i'm really grateful.

    now i think i don't need StarWind at all. i may uninstall it as well as Microsoft iSCSI Initiator. am i right?

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 20 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply