Validate Storage Persistant reservation error.

[parkarnoor]

Hi all,

I am creating two sql cluster nodes in VMware host cluster.

I created two VMs and installed MS failover cluster and added these two nodes.

I shared .vmdk disk (in datastore), with two machines and it is appearing fine. I followed these steps:

https://communities.vmware.com/blogs/Abhilash_hb/2013/08/25/clustering-using-sharing-of-vmdks-between-virtual-machines

then after adding disk in failover cluster I run cluster validation test.

but found following errors:

validate disk failover : cancelled

Validate SCSI-3 persistent reservation : Failed

these two VMs were on different  VMware host so I moved machines on one host then above errors gone but found following error:

Validate storage spaces persistent reservation : warning (yellow)

is there any compatibility issue?

also when I tried to migrate VM from one host to another I found following errors:

virtual machine is configured to use a device that prevents the operation: Device 'SCSI controller 1' is SCSI controller engaged in bus- sharing.

virtual machine is configured to use a device that prevents the operation : Device 'SCSI controller 2' is SCSI controller engaged in bus - sharing.

I have selected physical as bus sharing mode. in SCSI controller setting.

so does it means Microsoft VM cluster in VMware must be on same host ?

so there are two questions about:

Validate storage spaces persistent reservation ; warning

so does it means Microsoft VM cluster in VMware must be on same host and migration is not supported?

I am using ESXi 5.5

Dell MD 3220 SAS storage

windows 2012 R2 standard (VM cluster machines).

Thank you,

PARKAR

UAE

[ScreamingSilenc]

What have you set your SCSI controller type to "LSI Logic Parallel" or "LSI Logic SAS".

so does it means Microsoft VM cluster in VMware must be on same host ?

No, it can be on same host and across host.

On same host you need to use shared disk as vmdk and if you need to configure across host you need to use shared RDM. In your case your trying to build CIB config (Cluster in Box) where you need to change SCSI Controller  Bus Sharing to Virtual

so does it means Microsoft VM cluster in VMware must be on same host and migration is not supported?

vMotion of MSCS Cluster VM is not supported in ESXi 5.5 release. When you try to migrate you will observe "Device 'SCSI controller 1' is SCSI controller engaged in bus- sharing."

Refer the MSCS Cluster guide : VMware KB: Microsoft Clustering on VMware vSphere: Guidelines for supported configurations

How to config MSCS CIB Cluster : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoXdBDUIcI0

[parkarnoor]

http://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-55/topic/com.vmware.ICbase/PDF/vsphere-esxi-vcenter-server-55-setup-mscs.pdf

hi

thanks for update,

I have set it as 'LSI Logic SAS".

yes It can be across host but shared disk must be Pass through RDM or Non Pass through RDM. (see link above on page 9)

what is RDM?

I am getting warning Validate Storage Spaces persistent warning in validate cluster wizard.

shall I continue , will there be any problem?

--noor

UAE

[ScreamingSilenc]

I am getting warning Validate Storage Spaces persistent warning in validate cluster wizard.

I guess your using Windows 2012 and in ESXi 5.5 the error is a known warning go through the KB in my previous update

"In Windows 2012, cluster validation completes with this warning: Validate Storage Spaces Persistent Reservation. You can safely ignore this warning."

what is RDM ?

You can google it and you will find lotz of doc and blog explaining RDM few of those are below

VMware vSphere 4 - ESX and vCenter Server

Recommended Detailed Material on RDM's | VirtualLifestyle.nl

[parkarnoor]

Thanks

it is clear now. RDM is raw device mapping. I thought it is something else

also the kb 1037959 link is not working.

any other doc.

[ScreamingSilenc]

I just tried the link and its working fine can you try again http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1037959

There is no other doc,for your reference I have copied the KB in word doc.

[parkarnoor]

Great Mustafa,

let me check this .

[ScreamingSilenc]

Forgot to mention MSCS Windows 2012 R2 Cluster is not support on ESXi 5.5 release.

[parkarnoor]

hi,

so I am taking as confirmed MSCS Windows 2012 R2 Cluster is not supported on ESXi 5.5 release.

just one more question. Why Raw Device Mappings is greyed out in add hardware wizard.

does it require Fibre channel adapter and direct lun presentation to VM.

thanks

noor

UAE

[ScreamingSilenc]

Why Raw Device Mappings is greyed out in add hardware wizard.

Its grayed out because there are no available LUNs to be presented to an ESX/ESXi host and any other reason as mentioned in the below KB

VMware KB: Raw Device Mapping option is grayed out

[parkarnoor]

I went to advanced option and removed check mark from rdm filter settings.

and rescan luns again. it is still greyed out.

I think there is special command to sun to enable rdm mapping for SAS storage.

I am uring MD3220 External SAS storage.

let me know

[ScreamingSilenc]

Before adding LUN to VM are you able to see LUNs in ESXi host can you confirm by executing below steps

Web Client -> Host -> Manage -> Storage -> Storage Devices

Or from ESXi shh execute "esxcli storage core device list"

[parkarnoor]

http://thebraveadmin.wordpress.com/2010/08/12/using-raw-device-mapping-rdm-with-sas-attached-storage/

dear Mustafa,

yes I can see luns from vcenter as well from esxi shell. I used command esxcfg-mpath -m

since it is sas storage.by default rdm filter required fc storage.

I followed below article to do RDM mapping. let me know it is correct. (see link).

also do I need to execute commands for both hosts. or only on one host is enough.

then I chose existing disk to map raw device.

--Noor

[parkarnoor]

Dear Mustafa,

no need to follow link. It is working after deselected option in advance setting.

now RDM option is enabled. using GUI I can chose raw lun .It is ok now.

I am configuring new cluster with windows 2012 (not r2) with one machine on one host and one on another host with raw mappings

is there any other precautions to take.

--Noor

UAE

[parkarnoor]

ok this post is resolved. thanks for you

[ScreamingSilenc]

Great !!!

No precaution as such, but make sure you follow the MSCS guide and if you still have any doubt feel free to ask here.

[Tirelibirefe]

Hello;

I have the same problem with Parkar. Parkar says it's answered but couldn't understand how it was answered. Does ESXi 5.5 support or not WFC ? Eventually it doesn't work.

By the same way with Parkar, I clustered 2 Windows Server 2012 R2 virtual machines, shared several VMDKs between these Windows servers. It looks like it works but SQL Cluster installation doesn't accept it enough.