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Creating iSCSI VHD on a node in Failover Cluster

Mareo 0 Reputation points
2024-05-09T08:51:43.0766667+00:00

Hello,

hope everyone is doing fine :)

We have two nodes that are in a Failover Cluster(FC). We are using Starwind VSAN and that seems to be working fine for now for what we have set up. I created a VM through the FC so it can be used in a Failover scenario. However, I also have, on those 2 nodes, 4x8TB HDDs that we want to utilize for video recordings.

We are using a BVMS system that can use 3rd party storage to record video streams on an HDD. Through the app it should connect via iSCSI on the created VHDs.

But, I want to create an iSCSI VHD of those 4x8TB HDDs so I can connect them on a BVMS system, and I noticed you can't have an iSCSI Target Server(to create an iSCSI VHD) on nodes that are in a FC and vice versa.

Is there a way I can do that, if I explained correctly, or will be needing a NAS for those 4x8TB HDDs?

Config:

DELL R450 w/Win Server 2022 Standard using HyperV for VMs. Let me know if I should post more info on the configuration.

Thanks in advance,

Mario

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  1. Alex Bykovskyi 2,166 Reputation points
    2024-05-09T16:17:35.7866667+00:00

    Hey,

    Thanks for using StarWind VSAN.

    You can actually have iSCSI Target role running in Failover Cluster. You should start it or StarWind VSAN on a separate port though. iSCSI default port is 3260 and StarWind uses 3261 for management communication. Might help: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/iscsitarget/set-iscsitargetserversetting?view=windowsserver2022-ps

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/341082/server-2019-2-storage-servers-iscsi-targets-in-fai

    You can always create iSCSI target on top of existing storage using StarWind VSAN. Standalone iSCSI target on your HDDs should do the job. https://www.starwindsoftware.com/resource-library/quick-start-guide-creating-stand-alone-image-file-device-with-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.

  2. Ian Xue 37,706 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2024-05-13T04:35:00.0633333+00:00

    Hi Mareo,

    Hope you're doing well.

    1. As you suggested, one option is to use a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device to host the 4x8TB HDDs. You can configure the NAS to expose these disks as iSCSI targets to your BVMS system. This approach provides dedicated storage for your video recordings and avoids any conflicts with FC roles on the nodes.
    2. Another option is to deploy separate physical servers dedicated to hosting the iSCSI storage for your BVMS system. These servers would not be part of the Failover Cluster and could therefore host an iSCSI Target Server without conflicts. You can connect the 4x8TB HDDs to these servers and configure them as iSCSI targets for your BVMS system.
    3. If feasible, you could consider deploying a separate virtualization environment (e.g., using a different hypervisor) on the same physical servers alongside Hyper-V. Within this separate virtualization environment, you can deploy virtual machines dedicated to hosting the iSCSI Target Server for your BVMS system. This would allow you to utilize the existing hardware while avoiding conflicts with FC roles.

    Best Regards,

    Ian Xue

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