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Promote replica from CSV environment to non-CSV environment.
We have an EqualLogic PS 6100 with a CSV volume that we're replicating to a PS 4100 in a remote datacenter. We have a 3 node cluster using Hyper-V in the local site, and 1 node that isn't clustered at the remote site. If we promote the replica at the remote site (for testing DR) can we connect to the volume and spin up the VM's or do we have to setup a cluster in the remote site before we can use the volume? I've searched on the web but haven't seen this scenario documented.
Thanks,
Larry
Anonymous
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February 2nd, 2015 14:00
Hello Larry,
I don't believe so. I believe it requires the cluster services to properly handle that volume.
I have seen customers add the remote node to the cluster at the primary, but not have any active volumes. Then when you promote or clone the replica it can access the volumes.
If you have another server on the primary side, you can try this with a snapshot of a CSV volume.
Regards,
ldossjr
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February 2nd, 2015 15:00
Thanks for your reply. We have all servers on the primary side in the clsuter already. May try to add the remote and then do some testing.
Thanks!
Anonymous
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February 2nd, 2015 15:00
You are very welcome.
You might want to create a small(ish) test volume with just a single VM on it. Then you can clone or promote it w/o interrupting your production data replication.
ldossjr
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February 17th, 2015 08:00
Thanks Don!
We will test without adding the remote side to the cluster and reply back to this post with the results.
Larry
Anonymous
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February 17th, 2015 08:00
Hello,
I have to correct what I said before. You CAN mount a CSV replica to a non cluster server. In fact the cluster service can't be running on that DR side server to do this. If it is, it will see that as a cluster volume and not mount it.
The server will only see the VHD or VHDX files, so unless that DR server is also configured for Hyper-V you won't be able to start any VMs. But for backup purposes it would work fine.
Sorry for the bad info.
Regards,
Anonymous
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February 17th, 2015 10:00
Hi Larry,
Please do. The cluster resource I spoke with assured me it will work. If you want to migrate or activate your DR site that's when you need a node at the DR site that's configured as part of the primary. As MS puts all the cluster config in the registry.
He did say it's possible to import it into a different cluster, but it wasn't straightforward.
But for backup or just to fire up a VM it should work just fine. He mentioned cases where the cluster failed, and critical services like AD/DNS were VMs. By attaching either the volume or even a clone to a non cluster Hyper-V server you can get the AD & DNS VMs up an running.
Regards,