Netapp Clustermode

Netapp Clustermode has really got me excited about the new features available with the new Dataontap OS. The OS offers tab completion, history and offers several linux type commands.  I found in my years of working with Netapp technologies customers always complained about not having any of these features.

Netapp Clustermode allows customers to have 24 nodes added to a Netapp cluster, if you are using NAS protocols such as CIFS and NFS. You have the ability to have 6 nodes if you are using SAN (FCP).

I think this is a step in the right direction for Netapp. However, alot of customers are not ready to make the leap from 7mode to Clustermode. In my opinion most customers are probably waiting on version 8.2.

Here is list of some of the new features in version 8.2

• Support for SnapVault on systems running Clustered Data ONTAP
• Support for Single Node cDOT Clusters – This has big use case for customers who want to save some cost on their SnapMirror or SnapVault destinations.
• The ability to have Switchless, 2 node cDOT clusters. This takes away the need for having Cluster Interconnect switches for 2 node clusters
• Support for 8 Nodes in a SAN or Unified Cluster

I look forward to working with Dataontap cDOT clusters in the new future.

MSCS Clustering

Here is some information on creating a Microsoft Cluster. If you upgrade from 3.02 to 3.5 clustering is not supported. If you would like to create a Microsoft Cluster you will need to upgrade to ESX Server 3.5 update 1. Listed below is the information from Vmware websites.

Here's a guide - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_35/esx_3/vi3_35_25_u1_mscs.pdf and the main documentation page for 3.5 - http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vi_pages/vi_pubs_35.html.

Virtual Center 2.5 error code 2 (0x2) Event ID: 7024

I was upgrading Virtual Center to VC 2.5 update 1 today. I ran into the following issue while onsite. The install bombed during the upgrade. Virtual center would not start properly. Listed below is the message:

The VMware Virtual Center Server service terminated with service-specific error 2 (0x2). Event ID: 7024

During the troubleshooting process I found that the installer didn’t install all the necessary files needed to start the Virtual Center service. I was able to add the folders needed in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\VMware\VMware Virtual Center. I was able to find the folders that needed to be replaced by running vpxd.exe –s when I ran this command it told me which files didn’t exist and which path the folder needed to be located. This needs to be done on the Virtual Center server.

I added the folders and reran the vpxd.exe –s this allowed Virtual Center to start.

Equalogic vs AX4

The Equal Logic ISCSI SAN seems to be a great ISCSI SAN. The SAN was easy to setup and configure. It offers a little bit more manageability than the AX4. The AX4 doesn’t give you many options when you configure an AX4. Both SAN's seem to work great on VMware. The Equal Logic SAN does offer you the ability to setup replication between sites. I found both products pretty easy to work with and configure.

I think in my opinion my preference would be the Equal Logic SAN. I thought it had little more bells and whistles than the AX4. In a fair comparison EMC does have the CX3-10c and CX3-20c which offers more flexibility. I just love working with different storage technologies. I enjoyed working with both products.

Unable to determine Guest OS

I noticed that several of my fellow techies seemed to be having this same issue. I just wanted to share my experience on how I resolved the issue.

I was onsite this week completing several P2V migrations. I converted two older Dell 4400 servers and the servers converted without any issue. The Dell 2900 server had an issue during the P2V process. I completed all of the migrations using the Cold Clone VMware converter found on VMware's website. The Dell 2900 received the following error message “unable to find the guest OS”.

I tried to convert the server using the regular VMware Converter. The server completed the migration but still had an issue. I tried to power on the server and received another error message on the virtual machine. The error message was the following “unable to find a disk” on the virtual machine.

I did the following to resolve the issue. The server needed to have the raid controller and SATA backplane updated to bring this issue to closure. I tried converting the Dell 2900 after updating the SATA controller with the Cold Clone. The server converted successfully and was able to boot properly into Windows.

My conclusion is the following the Dell 2900 server had an issue hardware related that prevent the P2V process. The P2v conversion whether with the Cold Clone CD or regular VMware Converter couldn’t be completed properly. I would recommend updating the bios etc.

My EMC AX4 Experience

I just wanted to give my opinion and experiences with the EMC AX4. I am a consultant that deploys virtualization and SAN storage in customer’s environments in North and South Carolina.

I think the EMC AX4 is a step in the right direction. The AX4 will work with ISCSI or Fiber Channel. The AX4 allow customers that normally cannot afford a Clariion the ability to purchase a SAN at lower price point. This will allow companies with smaller budgets the ability to purchase a SAN.

I have worked with earlier versions of the AX Series. EMC kept Naviexpress which is very easy to navigate and configure. I like that the AX4 has the ability to add extra disk shelves to the SAN infrastructure. Also it is pretty easy to setup ISCSI or Fiber Channel on the AX4. However, I prefer to work on the EMC Clariion.

I think the Clariion is a little more challenging and definitely has a learning curve when compared to the AX4. The AX4 definitely holds it’s on in this competitive Storage market. However, if you do deploy an AX4 beware there is a power button on the back that turns on the actual SAN. This is different from the EMC Clariion. If anyone has worked with the EMC Clariion you know that the Clariion will power on once you turn on the power switches located on the SPS batteries. I didn’t notice the power button on the back at first. It was a silly thing but something that I overlooked at first.

In closing the EMC AX4 seems to work well with ESX Server and provides customers the ability to purchase a SAN and start getting the benefits of using a SAN.