How to correctly setup MSCS (windows cluster) in ServeRAID environment

When you install a cluster in ServeRAID environment,
probably you cannot follow all Microsoft indications:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/planning/server/clustersteps.asp

see also
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q242430
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q258750

Print these 3 articles and read them as a bible.

All this goes well in standard Cluster Env ( Compaq, IBM FAStT, ecc): in IBM ServeRAID (cheaper) environment, the RAID adapter is not 1 on the storage, but they are 2: each on a computer.

This creates some little difference and you have to merge M$ indications, whith those you find on CDrom ServeRAID, in PDF format, about cluster setup.


o What you need before start:

A) Consult ServeRAID IBM site (in these days is here!):
http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-495PES

B) If you can, download "IBM ServeRAID support CD v6.00"
(600Mb) or use that come with servers and adapters

C) Firmware: download all floppy
or #1 and the one who contains your adapter fw

D) DeviceDriver for Windows 2k for your adapters:
"IBM ServeRAID Support for Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows XP version 6.00"

E) IBM ServeRAID Manager for Microsoft Windows (program)

F) IBM ServeRAID Cluster Solution for Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 version 6.00



o Do the following steps:

- Update machine bios at last level

- Update serveRAID adapters bios+firmware at last level ( 6 now )

- Don'install Cluster Service

- Install the ServerA with all adapters in (Storage and ServerB are off)

- Install "IBM ServeRAID Manager " (prereq. E)

- Install ServerB .
Sometime I use 2nd disk of mirror and clone A to B: use sysprep in this case.

- whit both server on, follow M$ indications about network setup

- Switch off ServerA and ServerB

- Build Storage: insert disks and make cable connections.

- Power ON Storage

- Boot ServerA by ServerRAID CD(Linux): ignore BIOS mismatch if that of adapter is higer.

- Choose Reset to Factory setting
Create Volumes and Configure Cluster as:
ID=7, and name ServerA in host name, and ServerB in partner name.
Elect your volumes in shared mode
If you can, if it is the time to go home, leave synchronizing finishes.

- Shutdown ServerA and boot ServerB by ServeRAID CD (Linux)

- ServerA MUST be off : both SCSI adapters have id=7

- Choose Reset to Factory setting
Choose copy configuration from disks
Verify volumes are well imported
Go in Cluster Configuration and set
ID=6, and name ServerB in host name, and ServerA in partner name.
Ignore or leave synchronizing do.
Shutdown ServerB

- Power ON Boot ServerA and leave it booting by Windows

- Expand package "IBM ServeRAID Cluster Solution"
(prereq F.) on a floppy, then copy it on a Disk C location ( Administrator Desktop)
Locate program ipshahto.exe in drivers\nt\cluster\Support

- Follow steps:

*) run ipshahto.exe: verify all shared volumes come online
*) run ServeRAID Manager and verify presence of LogicDisks
*) run Windows Computer Management Disk Administrator
*) verify disks 1,2,3.. are in the sequence you want
*) for each volume do:
revert to basic (if need)
create a partition (NTFS)
give a significative label to disk (very important)
assign a letter to logical disk


- Leaving ServerA as is, Power ON ServerB:
this is not with Microsoft directives, but,
these do not provide Raid adapter is on computer and not on the storage.

- On ServerB follow steps:

*) run ipshahto.exe: verify all shared volumes come online:
disks will migrate from ServerA to ServerB without cluster installed
*) you will see, disk activitiy and, on ServerA in the
program ServeRAID Manager on ServerA, logical Volumes become RED
*) run Windows Computer Management Disk Administrator
*) verify disks 1,2,3.. are in the sequence you want
and Labels matches what you think: assign letters

- Return on ServerA and run ipshahto.exe:
red Logical Volumes must return red and refreshing My Computer, disks must be present

- Install Cluster service: you cannot take CD and follow standard M$ directives:
from exploded package "IBM ServeRAID Cluster Solution"
(that of ipshahto) run setup from dir drivers\nt\cluster.

This is not only a wizard to make easier Cluster Setup,
but installs an important program for ServeRAID logical disks.
Follow wizard directive and insert Windows 2K Advanced Server CD when required.
Indicate disk of Quorum.

During this step, close all program, and don't minimize windows:
you can lose important message and windows open/close sequence.

- repeat this step on ServerB, saying to wizard, this is the 2nd node in the cluster.