Step 1: Install Prerequisites for Scale-Out File Server

 

Applies To: Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012

Scale-Out File Server leverages features that are included in the File and Storage Services role and in the Failover Clustering feature. You must install the prerequisite features and role services, create a failover cluster, add then add storage to a cluster shared volume.

Task

Description

1.1. Install role services and features

Install the File Server role service and Failover Clustering by using Server Manager or by using Windows PowerShell.

1.2. Validate hardware and create a cluster

Validate the hardware configuration and create a cluster.

1.3. Add storage to a cluster shared volume

A cluster shared volume is required for a scale-out file share.

Note

This topic includes sample Windows PowerShell cmdlets that you can use to automate some of the procedures described. For more information, see Using Cmdlets.

1.1. Install role services and features

The File Server role service, which is part of the File and Storage Services server role, and the Failover Clustering feature are required to configure Scale-Out File Server. You configure these by using Server Manager or by using Windows PowerShell.

To install the roles and features

  1. Log on to the server as a member of the local Administrators group.

  2. Server Manager will start automatically. If it does not automatically start, click Start, and then click Server Manager.

  3. In the QUICK START section, click Add roles and features.

  4. On the Before you begin page of the Add Roles and Features Wizard, click Next.

  5. On the Select installation type page, click Role-based or feature-based installation, and then click Next.

  6. On the Select destination server page, select the appropriate server, and then click Next. The local server is selected by default.

  7. On the Select server roles page, expand File and Storage Services, expand File Services, and then select the File Server check box. Click Next.

  8. On the Select features page, select the Failover Clustering check box, and then click Next.

  9. On the Confirm installation selections page, click Install.

  10. Repeat the steps in this procedure for each server that will be added to the cluster.

Windows PowerShell equivalent commands

The following Windows PowerShell cmdlet or cmdlets perform the same function as the preceding procedure. Enter each cmdlet on a single line, even though they may appear word-wrapped across several lines here because of formatting constraints.

Add-WindowsFeature –name File-Services,Failover-Clustering -IncludeManagementTools

1.2. Validate hardware and create a cluster

You can ensure that you are using the proper hardware by validating the configuration. After the validation is complete, you can create the cluster.

To validate hardware and create a cluster

  1. Log on to the server as a member of the local Administrators group.

  2. Server Manager will start automatically. If it does not automatically start, click Start, and then click Server Manager.

  3. Click Tools, and then click Failover Cluster Manager.

  4. Under the Management heading, click Validate Configuration.

  5. On the Before You Begin page, click Next.

  6. On the Select Servers or a Cluster page, in the Enter name box, type the FQDN of one of the servers that will be part of the cluster, and then click Add. Repeat this step for each server that will be in the cluster.

    Note

    If you already have a cluster configured, you can enter the name of the cluster or one of its nodes instead of entering the name of each server.

  7. Click Next.

  8. On the Testing Options page, ensure that the Run all tests (recommended) option is selected, and then click Next.

  9. On the Confirmation page, click Next.

  10. On the Summary page, ensure that the Create the cluster now using the validated nodes check box is selected, and then click Finish. The Create Cluster Wizard appears.

  11. On the Before You Begin page, click Next.

  12. On the Access Point for Administering the Cluster page, in the Cluster Name box, type a name for the cluster, and then click Next.

  13. On the Confirmation page, click Next.

  14. On the Summary page, click Finish.

Windows PowerShell equivalent commands

The following Windows PowerShell cmdlet or cmdlets perform the same function as the preceding procedure. Enter each cmdlet on a single line, even though they may appear word-wrapped across several lines here because of formatting constraints.

Test-Cluster –Node server1, server2
New-Cluster –Name ClusterName –Node server1, server2

1.3. Add storage to a cluster shared volume

A cluster shared volume is used by a failover cluster, and it can be accessed by more than one node at a time. You can add to a cluster shared volume by using Failover Cluster Manager.

To add storage to a cluster shared volume

  1. Log on to the server as a member of the local Administrators group.

  2. Server Manager will start automatically. If it does not automatically start, click Start, and then click Server Manager.

  3. Click Tools, and then click Failover Cluster Manager.

  4. Click Storage, right-click the disk that you want to add to the cluster shared volume, and then click Add to Cluster Shared Volumes.

Windows PowerShell equivalent commands

The following Windows PowerShell cmdlet or cmdlets perform the same function as the preceding procedure. Enter each cmdlet on a single line, even though they may appear word-wrapped across several lines here because of formatting constraints.

Add-ClusterSharedVolume "ClusterDiskName"

See also