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Is Windows Server 2022 Failover Cluster Possible Without Shared Storage for exchange server 2019 CU 13?

MD. IMRAN HOSSEN 0 Reputation points
2023-07-02T09:42:52.7366667+00:00

Can two Windows Server 2022 servers that will run exchange server 2019 CU 13, each with their own internal storage, be used in a failover cluster without using external shared storage? The company wants to configure a failover cluster on two Exchange Servers. All of the failover cluster topologies I have seen use shared storage. It seems that would lead to a single disaster point bringing down the entire failover system.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Exchange Server
Exchange Server
A family of Microsoft client/server messaging and collaboration software.
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Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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Windows Server Clustering
Windows Server Clustering
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Clustering: The grouping of multiple servers in a way that allows them to appear to be a single unit to client computers on a network. Clustering is a means of increasing network capacity, providing live backup in case one of the servers fails, and improving data security.
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  1. Konstantinos Passadis 19,386 Reputation points MVP
    2023-07-02T10:05:11.8766667+00:00

    Hello @MD. IMRAN HOSSEN !

    Welcome to Microsoft QnA!

    You can explore the Storage Spaces Direct option

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-spaces/deploy-storage-spaces-direct

    Also this link describe the Storage Options for Exchange Server

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/plan-and-deploy/deployment-ref/storage-configuration?view=exchserver-2019

    In your case, if both Windows Server 2022 servers have their own internal storage, you can leverage Storage Spaces Direct to create a failover cluster for Exchange Server 2019. This configuration provides high availability and eliminates the single point of failure associated with external shared storage.

    I hope this helps!

    Kindly mark the answer as Accepted and Upvote in case it helped!

    Regards

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. Alex Bykovskyi 2,241 Reputation points
    2023-07-03T16:08:42.42+00:00

    Hey,

    As mentioned, you can use some kind of Software-Defined Storage. It can be S2D. It requires direct access to the drives (RAID is not supported). You should have drives in your servers connected via HBA. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-spaces/storage-spaces-direct-hardware-requirements

    You can use StarWind VSAN as an alternative. It can be used to create replicated shared storage between the hosts and share it via iSCSI. 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.

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