Automate Windows Failover Cluster / MSCS

[gurun72]

Hi, I'm looking to automate the installation and config of MSCS/Failover Cluster on our standard Windows cloud template - but can't find any info on this - has anyone attempted ? Would just like to keep the assigning of Cluster IP addresses within the automation team so as not to intrude onto our Network Profile IP ranges 🙂 .

[Shen88]

@gurun72 Of course there is one-liner PowerShell cmd available to install the Failover Cluster feature that could be leveraged after VM deployed via cloud template and another one-liner to create a cluster, but since the Cluster IP is the prerequisite for this, you'll have to integrate your IPAM Provider (if external) with vRA to be able to obtain the IP address for your cluster.

You can obtain a provider-specific integration package from your IPAM provider's website or the VMware Marketplace for IPAM integration.

Regards,

Shen

[SteskaljGE]

Run Install-WindowsFeature –Name Failover-Clustering –IncludeManagementTools on each node. Then run New-Cluster –Name MyCluster –Node Server1, Server2 –StaticAddress 192.168.1.12 -NoStorage on the primary node. I would wrap this in a vRO action with the input of the cluster ip address.

[gurun72]

Thanks Steskali,can the (presumably pshell) code be inputted within vRO - I was under the impression one needed a powershell server configured.

[gurun72]

Thanks Shen, we don’t have an IPAM but happy for the automation team to keep a log and have control.

[Shen88]

@gurun72 I do not think you need an dedicated PoSH server configured for this. Like @SteskaljGE mentioned you could wrap this with Cluster IP as a input using vRO action or might as well ABX Action in case of vRA 8.x.