Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC) to protect Virtual Centre

[abugeja]

Hi,

Wanting to know if anyone has implemented/looking to use Window Clustering to protect virtual centre in their environment?

VMware KB: Supported vCenter Server high availability options

Thanks.

[RyanH84]

Hello!

I have not configured the windows vCS database to be clustered before, although I have setup quite a few SQL server clusters within a VMware environment.

It is supported (on 5.5 or above I presume) and well documented through the numerous KB's on MSCS and also configuring vCenter vpxd for use with a SQL cluster.

I would go about it the same way as setting up any normal SQL cluster but just add in the vCenter database into the instance and then point vCenter (when configured) to use the database on a configured ODBC with the SQL Cluster resource name.  There is a great series from Derek Seaman about SQL 2012 Failover clustering on VMware. It is a little old (5.1) but it's still a good read!

Can't help with any actual real world experience but happy to help further if you want!

[rcporto]

Take a look at the following link for step by step guide in protect vCenter Server Windows version with WSFC: http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/techpaper/vmware-vcenter-server-availability-guide.pdf

[abugeja]

Thanks guys.

Do you know if you can setup WSFC with two physical servers instead of using virtual machines

Also note our SQL database for virtual centre is already on a geocluster SQL server which helps our DR somewhat.

[rcporto]

Do you know if you can setup WSFC with two physical servers instead of using virtual machines

Yes, BUT I still prefer vCenter running on VM to take advantage of virtualization features, like HA, snapshot, etc... and if you're running vSphere 6, you can protect your vCenter with FT.

[abugeja]

Is there any doco saying it can be done on a physical server as I can only see virtual machine mentioned?

This HA solution is to protect virtual centre for two data centres. Also as its then physical it wont be impacted if there is a storage issue in the VM environment.

[RyanH84]

You can certainly install vCenter on physical servers now if that is what you are asking. Most people don't  - for the reasons that Richardson Porto said above.

If you are confident that you are happy to have vCenter running on  a physical server then more power to you! Most people build it into their virtual estate in this day and age as there are too many component to go wrong on a physical host which will then render your vCenter useless. You'd need to restore from backup or rebuild if it has a failure.

There is less chance of your vCenter being impacted due to say "a storage issue" then there is having a physical host die where it resides. If you really wanted, you could try and host the vCenter in a separate environment or management cluster with separate storage specifically for management VM's.

[abugeja]

Thanks for the feeback Ryan. Do you have a whitepaper saying you can install vcenter WSFC on a physical server? I have only seen it mentioned as virtual machine.

Appreciate your thoughts on VM vs Physical and will take it on board.

[RyanH84]

Are you looking for a whitepaper on having a virtual vCenter server running with a database on physically clustered MS SQL boxes? Or physical vCenter running on virtual MS SQL Boxes or both physical?

[abugeja]

2 x physical servers in a Microsoft Clustered setup which run vcenter (HA Solution)

Our vcenter database is currently on a geocluster but im looking at moving this over as well