2 node cluster and DAS

[butkus]

I am interested in bringing a two node cluster on-line, to increase fault tolerence and increase network availablity. I have done a bit of research seeking the best external storage solution. SANs are cost prohibitive, and NAS has not been all I anticipated.

I ran across something called a DAS (direct attached storage) an external SCSI storage enclosure.

Has anyone used such a device? Has anyone used a NAS system for a 2 node cluster? If so, what product did you go with?

Anything would be greatly appreciated.

James
Network Administrator

 

[Psychoid]

We just did this for a customer. We put in two new servers connected to a Compaq Storage Enclosure with dual bus SCSI. This allowed us to connect it to both servers. We then installed NW6 with Cluster Services. No problems so far with this setup.

Hope that helps ------------
Certified in absolutely nothing

 

[butkus]

Psychoid,

Thanks for the response. How are the servers configured when enabling cluster services?

Does each server get it's own SYS volume and DOS partition on the DAS or just one for both?

 

[Psychoid]

We set the servers up as follows:
Each server had 2 internal 9GB drives that we set up as a RAID 1 array. This was the DOS partition & SYS volume.

We used the storage enclosure only for NSS clustered volumes.

Works like a charm.

This setup was according to general best practices of using local discs as boot & system partitions and using SAN/NAS/DAS as data only.

Hope that helps ------------
Certified in absolutely nothing