Hyper-V Home Lab Question
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Monday, May 16, 2011 12:25 PM
Hello Everyone:
Couple weeks ago I bought two servers to create a home lab, a DL380 G5 (8GB Memory) and a DL380 G3 (3GB Memory) server. Following are the things that I have done so far with the lab.
1. Created a domain controller on G3 2008 32bit as the server is not 64 bit.
2. Installed Hyper-V 2008 R2 Enterprise Core on DL380 G5
3. Once Hyper-V was installed, I installed two VM 2008 R2 servers on the DL380 G5.
4. Divided up the FSMO's between the two VM DC's and demoted the G3 and shut it off (it was too loud!)
5. Because I can't afford the Disk Storage SAS hard drives for the DL 380 G5, I just attached a 500GB USB Hard disk.
6. All of the VM's are on the USB Hard Drive currently. I have one workstation Windows 7, Two DC's and Two Plain servers.
7. On the two plain VM's I plan on trying out RDS and SQL on in a clustered environment.
The clustering part brings me to my question:
Is there a way I can simulate using the USB drive central storage between the clusters? I want to create the cluster but not sure how I can accomplish it with only one USB drive attached to the server.
I am open to the idea of spending $100-$200 for a NAS solution, but #1. I am not sure which one to get because most of them seem to be USB. #2. I am not sure how that will work, so if someone can enlighten me that would be great.
I also downloaded Windows Storage Server R2 and tried to create a VM on the Hyper-V, it failed miserably, not sure what the requirements are for the Storage Server, If I am able to successfully install storage server as VM, will this help me create a centralized storage for the cluster using USB hard drive?
Thanks in advance for all your help!
FYI, eventually in future, I want to try to get another DL 380 and cluster the Hyper-V itself so that I can try out live motion etc, but since this is so far out in future right now, I don't want that to be an hinderence in what I am trying to accomplish in short term. However, I will take suggestions!
Adam
All Replies
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Monday, May 16, 2011 12:54 PMModerator
Hi,
If you want to create cluster between virtual machines on Hyper-V, you have to use iSCSI. Microsoft released the free version of iSCSI Target, you can use it to emulate a iSCSI environment for your tests.
For more information, you can refer to:
How to create a Windows Server 2008 Cluster within Hyper-V using simulated iSCSI storage
Hyper-V Guest Clustering Step-by-Step Guide
Hyper-V Guest Clustering
http://blogs.technet.com/b/sainfrateam/archive/2011/05/09/hyper-v-guest-clustering.aspx
Microsoft iSCSI Software Target 3.3
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=45105d7f-8c6c-4666-a305-c8189062a0d0
Vincent Hu
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Monday, May 16, 2011 1:51 PMSo i have to have iscsi disk or will the USB drive do? Also the answer to my question about Windows Storage Server, what is required?
Adam -
Monday, May 16, 2011 1:57 PMModerator
Hi,
It’s impossible to create a cluster between Hyper-V guest virtual machines using USB hard drive. You need to install iSCSI Target on a computer and then create a target for the cluster.
Here are some more guides.
Creating HA VMs for Hyper-V with Failover Clustering using FREE Microsoft iSCSI Target 3.3
Whitepaper: How to Build a Hyper-V Cluster Using the Microsoft iSCSI Software Target v3.3
http://www.aidanfinn.com/?p=11164
Important Note: This response contains a reference to a third party World Wide Web site. Microsoft is providing this information as a convenience to you. Microsoft does not control these sites and has not tested any software or information found on these sites; therefore, Microsoft cannot make any representations regarding the quality, safety, or suitability of any software or information found there. There are inherent dangers in the use of any software found on the Internet, and Microsoft cautions you to make sure that you completely understand the risk before retrieving any software from the Internet.
By the way, Windows Storage Server is an OEM product, you have to contact the OEM vendor if you want to use it. However, as Microsoft iSCSI Target is free now, so I don’t think you need Windows Storage Server.
Vincent Hu
- Marked As Answer by Adamster Monday, May 16, 2011 2:03 PM
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Monday, May 16, 2011 2:03 PMThanks, I will try this out!
Adam -
Monday, May 16, 2011 5:01 PMLook at FreeNAS, it is free and provides iScsi. I have set up a server and have successfully connected a Win7 box via iSCSI, haven't had a chance to do it on Hyper-V yet.
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Tuesday, May 17, 2011 7:43 AM
Look at FreeNAS, it is free and provides iScsi. I have set up a server and have successfully connected a Win7 box via iSCSI, haven't had a chance to do it on Hyper-V yet.
Why anybody should bother messing with Linux-based unsupported distro if MS target is free now and is fully supported? Reason?
AK
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Friday, September 02, 2011 1:57 PMI agree, I have been using Microsofts Free SCSI target and it works great for the home lab.
Adam -
Friday, September 02, 2011 9:42 PM
Even though the iSCSI target is free, licenses for Windows 2008 R2 are not free.
Not everyone has extra server licenses to burn to build iSCSI.
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Friday, February 24, 2012 6:08 AM
The question was for a home lab, the 30 day trial for server license works for well for the lab.
Adam
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