To create a Hyper-V failover cluster, you’ll need at least two servers running Windows Server with Hyper-V installed and configured. Here are the steps to create a Hyper-V failover cluster:
- Prepare the Servers:
- Install Windows Server on each server.
- Configure the network settings, including IP addresses, subnet masks, and DNS settings.
- Join each server to the same Active Directory domain.
- Install the Failover Clustering feature on each server.
- Configure Storage:
- Connect shared storage (such as a SAN or iSCSI target) to both servers.
- Initialize and format the shared storage on each server.
- Assign a unique drive letter or mount point to the shared storage on each server.
- Validate Cluster Configuration:
- Open the Failover Cluster Manager on one of the servers.
- Under the “Management” section, select “Validate Configuration.”
- Follow the wizard to add the servers and perform the validation tests.
- Resolve any issues identified during the validation process.
- Create the Cluster:
- In the Failover Cluster Manager, select “Create Cluster” from the “Management” section.
- Follow the wizard and add the servers that will be part of the cluster.
- Specify a name and IP address for the cluster.
- Validate the cluster creation settings.
- Complete the wizard to create the cluster.
- Configure Cluster Roles:
- In the Failover Cluster Manager, right-click the cluster and select “Configure Roles.”
- Select the role you want to configure, such as “Virtual Machine.”
- Follow the wizard to configure the role settings, such as the storage location and preferred owner.
- Repeat this step for each role you want to configure in the cluster.
- Configure Virtual Machines:
- Open Hyper-V Manager on one of the servers.
- Create or import virtual machines that you want to include in the failover cluster.
- Make sure the virtual machines and their associated virtual hard disks are stored on the shared storage.
- Test Failover:
- In the Failover Cluster Manager, right-click the role you want to test, such as a virtual machine.
- Select “Move” and choose the node to which you want to move the role.
- Monitor the failover process to ensure the virtual machine moves successfully.
- Test the functionality of the virtual machine to confirm that it’s working as expected.
By following these steps, you can create a Hyper-V failover cluster to provide high availability for your virtual machines. Remember to consult Microsoft’s documentation and best practices for additional guidance and considerations specific to your environment.