Server 2019 Add Cluster Storage failed

Question

I have 2 servers:

SMB01

SMB03

SOFC01 - Failover Cluster ( SMB01, SMB03 )

I've created Failover Cluster to store VM's on Scale-Out File Server. On SMB01 I have 5 disks, on SMB03 there is 3 disks. I want to create cluster pool. So, at Cluster Manager right click on Pools->New Storage Pool-> disks from smb03 are visible. After selecting disks and click "Next" Pool was created but with errors. Created pool wont start. This same situation is on server SMB01

Answer 1

Hi

the recommendation is that you have symmetrical disks in each node when creating an SOFS Pool:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure-stack/hci/concepts/quorum#pool-quorum-recommendations

The danger of having a non-symmetrical layout is that even if one node fails, it can take the entire cluster down as there is no majority:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure-stack/hci/concepts/quorum#four-nodes-with-a-non-symmetrical-layout

Hope this helps,

Thanks

Michael Durkan

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Answer 2

Symmetrical or non-symmetrical layout is not a problem. Problem is that my pool won't create as You see on screen. There is nothing about symmetrical or not. First, pool must be created on one server from disks available on that server but error shows as you see

Answer 3

Hey,
When Failover Cluster is configured, it will try to use drives from both nodes to create a pool.
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-server-for-it-pro/cannot-create-separate-storage-pool-on-windows-2019-failover/m-p/3720679
You will need to use Powershell to create standalone Storage Spaces pool.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/storage/new-storagepool?view=windowsserver2022-ps
https://www.starwindsoftware.com/blog/configure-a-resilient-volume-on-windows-server-2016-using-storage-spaces
If you are planning to use S2D, it is recommended to use symmetrical storage layout. As an alternative to S2D, you can use StarWind VSAN to create shared storage for Failover Cluster on top of Storage Spaces pool.
https://www.starwindsoftware.com/starwind-virtual-san
Cheers,   
Alex Bykovskyi   
StarWind Software   
Note: Posts are provided “AS IS” without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose.

Answer 4

Hey,

When Failover Cluster is configured, it will try to use drives from both nodes to create a pool.

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-server-for-it-pro/cannot-create-separate-storage-pool-on-windows-2019-failover/m-p/3720679

You will need to use Powershell to create standalone Storage Spaces pool.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/storage/new-storagepool?view=windowsserver2022-ps

https://www.starwindsoftware.com/blog/configure-a-resilient-volume-on-windows-server-2016-using-storage-spaces

If you are planning to use S2D, it is recommended to use symmetrical storage layout. As an alternative to S2D, you can use StarWind VSAN to create shared storage for Failover Cluster on top of Storage Spaces pool.

https://www.starwindsoftware.com/starwind-virtual-san

Cheers,  
Alex Bykovskyi  
StarWind Software  
Note: Posts are provided “AS IS” without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose.