Creating Remote Copy volume groups

assign each WWN to a host. If Host Explorer agents are running, the HP 3PAR storage system automatically groups WWNs for the host together, assisting with creating the host. The Host Explorer agent runs as a service.

For more information on creating hosts and setting host persona, see the 3PAR Windows Implementation Guide located at: www.hp.com/go/saw.

Creating virtual volumes and adding a LUN presentation

Create the storage (virtual volume) on a primary 3PAR storage system for your application data using the HP 3PAR Management Console GUI or CLI and then export the virtual volumes (thin provisioned or fully provisioned) to the cluster nodes connected to that 3PAR storage system. You must create a replica of the created virtual volume on a back up storage system. The size of the replica should match with the primary virtual volume, but they can have different RAID levels and availability levels (for example, Cage versus Magazine).

For more information, see the 3PAR Management Console User Guide or the 3PAR CLI Administrator’s Manual.

Before you can use HP 3PAR Cluster Extension, you must create a Remote Copy volume group that includes your previously created virtual volumes. When you create a Remote Copy volume group, the size of virtual volume(s) on the primary 3PAR storage system should match with the virtual volume(s) on the secondary 3PAR storage system.

For detailed steps on creating a Remote Copy volume group, see the 3PAR Remote Copy User's Guide.

LUN presentation to the secondary virtual volume(s)

Export the virtual volumes to the cluster nodes connected to the secondary 3PAR storage system. When a Remote Copy volume group is started and virtual volumes are in "synced" state, the secondary virtual volumes will be in read-only mode and data replication direction will be from primary volume group to the secondary volume group.

Installing Microsoft Failover Cluster (MSFC) on all nodes

This section describes the steps for installing MSFC on the cluster nodes.

1.Before installing MSFC, create your disk configuration through the Disk Manager. If the disks are not visible, re-scan your disks in the Disk Manager.

NOTE: You may need to shut down all but one server on the source storage system to successfully configure your disks in the Disk Manager. Errors may occur during partitioning and formatting because all servers that you present the same disk to on the local storage will compete for access to the disk. This will not happen after the cluster software is installed and you have formatted or partitioned the disk(s).

In rare cases, certain FC drivers will show disk access errors in the event log (event ID 51) when the disk access is set to read-only. This can be ignored for read-only destination disks and should not occur after HP 3PAR Cluster Extension is installed.

You must reboot the server(s) on the destination storage system or re-scan the disks in the Disk Manager before and after installing the cluster software, and when you add storage in read-only mode on the destination side.

2.Enable Microsoft Failover Cluster feature on all nodes and create the failover cluster using the nodes.

10 Installing HP 3PAR Cluster Extension Software

Cluster Software specifications

HP Cluster Software is a robust solution designed to enhance the reliability, availability, and scalability of computing environments in enterprise settings. This software is instrumental in managing clusters of servers, providing a unified framework that allows for efficient resource management, workload distribution, and high availability.

One of the main features of HP Cluster Software is its ability to deliver high availability through failover mechanisms. In the event of a hardware or software failure, the software automatically shifts workloads from the affected node to a standby node within the cluster, minimizing downtime. This feature is critical for organizations that require continuous access to their data and applications.

Scalability is another significant characteristic of HP Cluster Software. Organizations can easily add or remove nodes from the cluster without disrupting ongoing operations. This flexibility ensures that enterprises can adapt to changing workloads and resource demands efficiently, making it suitable for environments ranging from small businesses to large data centers.

Load balancing is a key technology employed by HP Cluster Software. It intelligently distributes workloads across the available nodes, optimizing resource utilization and ensuring that no single server is overwhelmed. By balancing the load, organizations can achieve better performance and enhance the response times of applications, which are essential for user satisfaction.

HP Cluster Software supports various clustering topologies, including active-active and active-passive configurations. This versatility allows organizations to choose the architecture that best fits their operational requirements. Additionally, the software integrates seamlessly with various HP and third-party hardware and software solutions, thus providing a holistic environment for managing IT resources.

Moreover, HP Cluster Software offers centralized management tools that simplify cluster administration. Administrators can monitor cluster performance, manage workloads, and configure settings all from a single interface. This ease of use reduces the complexity often associated with managing large clusters and empowers IT teams to respond rapidly to issues.

In summary, HP Cluster Software is an essential tool for organizations looking to enhance their IT infrastructure's availability, reliability, and performance. With its failover capabilities, scalability options, load balancing technology, and centralized management features, it stands out as a comprehensive solution for modern computing challenges.