Before we can successfully build our Windows Failover Cluster we need to assign some IP Addresses to our nodes and their respective virtual adapters.

Let’s do this now

 

Configuring the IP Addresses for the S2D Nodes

#Configure S2DNode1

New-NetIPAddress -IPAddress 10.10.199.1 -PrefixLength 16 -InterfaceAlias "vEthernet (SMB_3)" -DefaultGateway 10.10.0.254
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "vEthernet (SMB_3)" -ServerAddresses 10.10.1.252
New-NetIPAddress -IPAddress 10.11.0.1 -PrefixLength 24 -InterfaceAlias "vEthernet (SMB_4)" 
New-NetIPAddress -IPAddress 10.12.0.1 -PrefixLength 24 -InterfaceAlias "vEthernet (HB)" 
New-NetIPAddress -IPAddress 10.13.0.1 -PrefixLength 24 -InterfaceAlias "vEthernet (LM)" 

#Configure S2DNode2

Invoke-Command -ComputerName S2DNode2 -ScriptBlock {

New-NetIPAddress -IPAddress 10.10.199.2 -PrefixLength 16 -InterfaceAlias "vEthernet (SMB_3)" -DefaultGateway 10.10.0.254
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "vEthernet (SMB_4)" -ServerAddresses 10.10.1.252
New-NetIPAddress -IPAddress 10.11.0.2 -PrefixLength 24 -InterfaceAlias "vEthernet (SMB_2)" 
New-NetIPAddress -IPAddress 10.12.0.2 -PrefixLength 24 -InterfaceAlias "vEthernet (HB)" 
New-NetIPAddress -IPAddress 10.13.0.2 -PrefixLength 24 -InterfaceAlias "vEthernet (LM)" 

}

 

 

Download and Install all Windows Updates

 

It is critical that all nodes of the S2D Cluster be updated prior to building the cluster. You should also check for any applicable hotfixes. This is a critical setup as many updates and hotfixes may have been released since your base OS Build or Gold Image was created.

Validate the Failover Cluster

 

Before creating the failover cluster, it is important to validate the components. Per Microsoft in order to have a supported cluster you must pass all of the Cluster Validation tests that are provided by Windows Server 2016.

 

To test the cluster via PowerShell run the following command.

Test-Cluster -Node S2DNode1,S2DNode2 -Include "Storage Spaces Direct", "Inventory", "System Configuration", "Network" 

 

Note: Once the tests have been completed you can view the results by checking the c:\windows\cluster\reports folder

 

You can see the output of the Failover Cluster Validation tests below. Ensure that you carefully review any or all of the warnings or errors prior to proceeding.

 

Failover Cluster Validation Tests

 

 

 

Build the S2D Failover Cluster

 

Once the Failover Cluster Validation tests have passed you can now build the S2D Cluster. We will do this with the following one line PowerShell command.

 

New-Cluster -Name S2DCluster -Node S2DNode1,S2DNode2 -NoStorage -StaticAddress 10.10.199.20 

 

In our example, we have given the Failover Cluster an IP Address of 10.10.199.20.

 

Now that we have our Failover Cluster built and IP Addresses on the nodes we are going to be able start the fun process of Configuring Storage Spaces Direct

Thanks,

 

Cristal

 

Cristal Kawula

Cristal Kawula is the co-founder of MVPDays Community Roadshow and #MVPHour live Twitter Chat. She was also a member of the S2D Technical Advisory board and is the President of TriCon Elite Consulting. Cristal is also only the 2nd woman in the world to receive the prestigious Veeam Vanguard award.

 

BLOG: http://www.checkyourlogs.net

Twitter: @supercristal1