SQL Cluster over SMB (Windows Server 2012)
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Friday, January 18, 2013 12:46 PM
Hello,
Our purpose is to get a SQL cluster over SMB taking advantage of all features and capabilities that have been published by Microsoft in a lot of articles.
For this purpose we have:
- Two servers with Windows Server 2012 Standard
- Each server with a LSI MegaRAID SAS 9286CV-8eCC (disk controller)
If we go to this Microsoft link (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh759341.aspx) we understand we will create SMB files share following UNC path formats. Ok, format understood.
We choose SMB Transparent Failover in order to get the shares. Next step: how can we access the disk we want to share through SMB? For this las purpose we check this link: http://blogs.technet.com/b/clausjor/archive/2012/06/07/smb-transparent-failover-making-file-shares-continuously-available.asp
Inside this link we see:
"
Let us take a closer look at SMB Transparent Failover. SMB Transparent Failover requires:
- A failover cluster running Windows Server “8” with at least two cluster nodes and configured with the file server role. The cluster must pass the cluster validation tests in “Validate a Configuration Wizard”.
- File shares created with the continuous availability property, which is the default setting for clustered file shares.
- Computers accessing the clustered file shares must be running Windows “8” Consumer Preview or Windows Server “8”.
"
So, is Failover cluster necessary and indispensable in order to get a SQL server over SMB?
If this is correct we have read it can't publish volumes with RAID for failover cluster? This last point is a really nightmare because our LSI MegaRAID SAS 9286CV-8eCC only manage RAID. As a matter of fact we don't see any volume when we are in "Select by volume" step in "New Share Wizard"
Is this correct? we can't manage RAID volumes if we want to get shared volumes? We could get this with DAS volumes? Please, confirm/clarify this doubts.
Thanks!
jprieto
All Replies
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Friday, January 18, 2013 9:39 PM SMB does not know if it is on RAID or JBOD. But to provide a highly available file service, you need to have shared storage. This shared storage can be provided by a Fibre Channel SAN (which uses RAID), an iSCSI SAN (which uses RAID), SAS disks, or backplane RAID controller to shared disks. So, what you are talking about, using backplane PCIe RAID controllers to provide storage to the cluster for continuously available file shares is a valid solution. You just have to ensure that the RAID controller you have selected is one that is supported for clustering in 2012.
.:|:.:|:. tim
- Marked As Answer by K_evin ZhuMicrosoft Contingent Staff, Moderator Wednesday, February 06, 2013 8:43 AM
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Saturday, January 19, 2013 8:32 PM
I was not able to find any references about controller you talking about supporting "clustered RAID controllers" concept. This means if you want to stick with SMB (file level rather then block level access) you need also a pair of a servers to be converted into scale-out file servers and some shared storage to cluster SoFS boxes. And this all at the time you can cluster SQL Server with AlwaysOn and Mirrored Databases:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff877884.aspx
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms189852.aspx
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2001270
Making long story short: with the approach you're targeting right now you'll end with a SLOWER PERFORMING, MORE EXPENSIVE and PITA TO MANAGE solution compared to built-in clustering features.
Also I think this group is not the best place to ask. I'd duplicate your query here:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/sqldisasterrecovery/threads
- Marked As Answer by K_evin ZhuMicrosoft Contingent Staff, Moderator Wednesday, February 06, 2013 8:43 AM
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