How to configure iSCSI Cluster

How to configure iSCSI Cluster

A server cluster is a group of independent servers running clustering software to perform as a single system to provide high availability of services for clients. When a failure occurs on one computer in a cluster, resources are redirected and the workload is redistributed to another computer in the cluster. Clustered servers share access to the same disks, for example iSCSI SAN.

In our case, a two node cluster was used for the deployments discussed here. Only one node can access a given disk at any point in time; the other cluster node does not use its path to the disk unless the application is failed over. (This configuration is known variously as a “shared-nothing” or “active-passive” cluster. The alternative is a “shared disk” or “active-active” cluster in which applications on both nodes can access the same disks simultaneously.)

In an iSCSI cluster deployment shown below, Active Directory services are accessed by the clustered servers. The iSNS server (indicated by the asterisk) can also be accessed in the same manner, and it also can one of servers. Clients access the Exchange and SQL servers through the public LAN, and both Exchange and SQL clusters access target storage resources through a Gigabit adapter connected to a private iSCSI Switch.

Post your questions, comments, feedbacks and suggestions

Contact a consultant