Clustering Physical and Virtual Machines

[oturn]

We'd like to cluster a physical machine with a VM. In the VMware guide "Setup for Failover Clustering and Microsoft Cluster Service", page 77 states "Use ESX/ESXi hosts that have the following: Two physical network adapters dedicated to the MSCS cluster and to the public and private networks."

We're unable to dedicate a physical adapter for the private network, or for that matter the MSCS cluster. Our VM network configuration is comprised of vSwitch with two shared physical adapters, running multiple VLANs. Also, we don't intend to decidate an ESXi server to this project.

For the for the public and private networks, can't we simply assign 2 vNICs on the shared vSwitch, just like any other VM? If so, then obviously the private network would be placed on the same VLAN as the private network on the physical machine. In this case, would it be preferable to use public routable IP addresses between the hosts, or private IP addresses?

[a_p_]

"Use ESX/ESXi hosts that have the following: Two physical network adapters dedicated to the MSCS cluster and to the public and private networks."

IMO the two separate networks absolutely make sense in means of uplink/cable failures. You should definitely make sure the private and the public network (the 2 virtual NICs) are using 2 different uplinks at all times.

I'd suggest you place the public network on the vSwitch/port group with other VM's and dedicate a separate vSwitch/physical NIC to the private network. If you cannot do this due to not having enough uplinks, then at least place the private network on another vSwitch than the public network and use a separate VLAN for the private network.

André

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