This will make your cluster work quicker. Additionally, CSV enables Live Migration which allows you to move a running VM from one node to another node with zero downtime. Since disk ownership no longer needs to change when a VM moves to another node, this makes the process quicker and safer, allowing clients to remain connected while the virtual machine is moved to another node in the cluster. The CSV disk resource which is owned by a cluster node is called as coordinate node. The VMs which are hosted on the CSV disk can be owned by either coordinated node or any other node of the cluster. When a disk is in the available storage group, it can be converted to CSV. When a CSV disk is created in the Failover Cluster, internally, a hidden role will be created by the failover cluster which is not visible in the Failover Cluster GUI, but visible through cluster.exe command output. Only CSV disk is shown in the Failover Cluster GUI. The name of the CSV role is in the form of a GUID. For every highly available VM created on the CSV, there will be a role created in the Failover Cluster which is independent of the CSV role. The following screenshot has two virtual machines created on a single CSV Disk. For each virtual machine there is a role created.

In a multi-site storage array replicated environment, CSV disks are replicated to the remote datacenter using the array based remote replication feature. VMs residing in the CSV disk can run on any cluster nodes (physical servers). In case of disaster to the primary datacenter, CSV disks need to be brought online in the secondary datacenter. For this, storage failover needs to be done after checking the CLX disaster recovery rules before cluster brings the CSV disk online. This is where CLX comes into picture to swap replication direction and perform the storage failover in an automated fashion to add failover capabilities for the CSV disks in the clustering environment.

3PAR Cluster Extension supports CSV disk on Windows Server 2012 in addition to non CSV disk support. Configuration of CSV disk for CLX is similar to configuration of normal disk for CLX support. Since the CSV role is hidden and not seen in Failover Cluster GUI, CLX has provided PowerShell Cmdlets to configure Cluster Extension 3PAR resource for the CSV disk. See “Cluster Extension Cmdlets for CSV and Virtual Machine Management” (page 58) on how to configure CSV disk for CLX.

14 HP 3PAR Cluster Extension features

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HP Cluster Software manual 14 HP 3PAR Cluster Extension features

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.