Exchange 2003 Cluster Question

[adfreek]

Hello,

We have an existing 2 node Exchange 2003 cluster to a SAN. We just purchased/received additional drives and we would like to add the additional space to the cluster. From the active node in Windows disk management, I can see the new partition. I know I have to create a partition with drive letter in Windows, then create a Physical Disk resource and add it to the existing cluster. My question is, will this require downtime?

Thanks

 

[SANcatcher]

Yes, downtime is needed.

We recently did this at our site with no problems. We have an Exchange 2003 two-node cluster. Here's what we did and why:

Adding LUNs to a Microsoft Windows 2000/2003 MSCS server.

For Microsoft Windows 2000/2003 MSCS:

1. Shutdown all but one of the cluster nodes.
2. On a remaining node select Start->Programs- >Administrative Tools->Computer Management.
3. Click Device Manager and under the View Menu select Show Hidden Devices.
4. Open the non-Plug and Play section and select the Clusdisk driver.
5. Change the Startup type from ·System· to ·Disabled.·
6. Select Services from the left hand panel.
7. Select the MSCS Cluster Service and change its Startup type from ·Automatic· to ·Manual.·
8. Reboot this node.
9. Using ·Disk Administrator· partition and format the new LUNs and assign drive letters.

Note: MSCS supports only basic disks. Do not update new disks to dynamic disks.

10. Change the startup values of the Cluster Disk Driver to ·System· and the MSCS Cluster service to ·Automatic.·
11. Bring down this node of the cluster and perform Steps 2-10 on the remaining nodes.
12. Boot all nodes of the cluster and create a Physical Resource Disk and add it to a group.
13. Start the resource and check disk availability.
14. Transfer the group to the other nodes and check disk availability.

Here is the problem:
One or more nodes of cluster cannot detect new disks recently added.

Causes of this problem:
The MSCS Cluster Disk Driver is preventing the new disks from being recognized. The cluster disk driver will mask any drive that it cannot guarantee the integrity of, or any drive that might change the ordinal drive numbering, in order to protect the cluster.

Best Regards,

Gary

 

[adfreek]

Thanks so much for the detailed response. How much downtime do you think we should take?

 

[MikeBatters]

Depending on the Hardware Manufacturer this can be done with zero downtime.

What sort of hardware/SAN is it?

Mike

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Remember - There is always another way..........

 

[adfreek]

Backend is an EMC/Dell Clarrion CX600. Servers are two Dell 6650's

 

[MikeBatters]

Ahh - Sorry - i am an Compaq/HP man.

Not sure about these Dell bits of kit.

Mike

*************************************

Remember - There is always another way..........