4.3 Installing and Setting Up Dynamic File Services in a Windows Server 2012 Cluster

You must install Dynamic File Services on each node in turn in order to lay down the information that is stored locally on each server. Specify the same path for the destination folder on a shared drive when you install on each node.

IMPORTANT:The Windows cluster configuration, management, terminology, and tools can vary depending on the version of Windows Server you are running and on how you set up your cluster and cluster roles. Adjust the instructions in this section as needed for your cluster environment.

For all issues related to Windows cluster configuration and management, see the Microsoft documentation for your Windows Server operating system in the Microsoft TechNet Library.

The following installation description assumes a failover cluster with two Windows Server 2012 nodes named Node1 and Node2. Modify the procedure as necessary if you have more nodes. Repeat the steps for Node2 on the additional nodes.

4.3.1 Setting Up a Cluster Role for the Installation Destination Folder’s Shared Disk

Before you install Dynamic File Services on Node1, set up the cluster and create a cluster role for the shared disk where you want to install Dynamic File Services. Use the guidelines in Section 4.1, Planning the Installation in a Windows Cluster.

IMPORTANT:It is beyond the scope of this guide to provide detailed instructions about Windows cluster roles configuration, management, and best practices. To illustrate the process, this section provides one possible scenario.

  1. Use the Windows Failover Cluster Management tool to set up a two-node cluster.

  2. In Windows Failover Cluster Manager, create a new File Server resource.

    1. Right-click the cluster container object, and select Configure Role to open the High Availability Wizard.

    2. Click Next.

    3. In the High Availability Wizard, select File Server, then click Next.

    4. Select a File Server Type, then click Next.

    5. Specify a name for the resource and a unique cluster IP address, then click Next.

      The name is used as the virtual server name for the resource, and the name is bound to its IP address. You use this name for accessing shares in the cluster role when you use the UNC path, such as \\<resource_name>\<share_name>.

    6. Add the shared disk where you want to install the Dynamic File Services software, such as Cluster Disk 1 (S:\).

    7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

    8. Click Finish.

  3. Continue with Section 4.4.2, Installing and Setting Up Dynamic File Services on Node1.

4.3.2 Installing and Setting Up Dynamic File Services on Node1

Use the following procedure to install and set up DynamicFS on the currently active node (Node1).

  1. Log in to Node1 as the Administrator user or as a user with Administrator privileges.

    In an Active Directory environment, log in as a domain user who also has Active Directory Domain Administrator rights.

  2. Install DynamicFS.

  3. Accept the license agreement, select the Custom option, then click Next.

  4. Specify the following settings:

    • Allow an exception for the Dynamic File Services port in the firewall: Enable this option in order to remotely manage pairs and policies on this server from another computer. It is enabled by default.

    • Service port: Specify the port number (default 8999) to use for the remote management communications.

    • Destination folder: Click Browse to locate and select the destination folder on a shared device where you want to install the software, then click OK.

      For example, specify the Destination folder as S:\Dynamic File Services. The program files, data files, and log files are installed in the same folder.

    For detailed installation instructions, see Section 3.1, Installing Dynamic File Services.

  5. Verify that the Service Controller is started and that the Service is running.

    The Service Controller icon appears in the notification area. Right-click the icon to view the Service status.

  6. (Optional) Right-click the Service Controller icon, select Register License Key, then register the license key.

    The Service operates in Evaluation Mode until you register a license key. You can apply the key now or later. After the product is installed in the cluster, a user with Administrator privileges can register the license key from any node where Dynamic File Services is active. You register the license key only once in the cluster. For information, see Registering the License Key in the Dynamic File Services 2.2 Administration Guide.

  7. Set up the DynamicFS administrator users for Node1 by adding their usernames as members of the Dynamic File Services group.

    The user who installs Dynamic File Services is automatically added to the group. For information, see Setting Up Administrators in a Domain in the Dynamic File Services 2.2 Administration Guide:

    IMPORTANT:You should assign the same users to the Dynamic File Services group on each node.

  8. Stop the Dynamic File Service and exit the Service Controller:

    1. Log in as the Administrator user or as a user with Administrator privileges.

    2. Right-click the Service Controller icon in the notification area, then select Stop service to disable the Dynamic File Service.

    3. Right-click the Service Controller icon in the notification area, then verify that the Dynamic File Service status is Service Disabled.

    4. Right-click the Service Controller icon in the notification area, then select Exit.

  9. Continue with Section 4.4.3, Adding the Dynamic File Service, Shares, and Shared Disks to the Cluster Resource.

4.3.3 Adding the Dynamic File Service, Shares, and Shared Disks to the Cluster Role

After you install Dynamic File Services on the shared cluster disk, you must add the following resources and dependencies to the cluster role that you created in Section 4.3.1, Setting Up a Cluster Role for the Installation Destination Folder’s Shared Disk:

  • The Dynamic File Service.

  • Cluster shares for the primary paths in pairs.

    You can add shares for primary paths now or later as needed.

  • Shared disks that you want to use for pairs and policies.

    You can add shared disks for pairs now or later as needed.

Use the guidelines in Section 4.1, Planning the Installation in a Windows Cluster.

IMPORTANT:It is beyond the scope of this guide to provide detailed instructions about Windows cluster roles configuration, management, and best practices. To illustrate the process, this section provides one possible scenario.

To add the Service, shared disks, and cluster shares to the Dynamic File Services cluster role for a Windows Server 2012failover cluster:

  1. Use the Windows Failover Cluster Manager tool to create cluster-managed network shares for the Dynamic File Services folder on the shared disk and the folders that you plan to use as primary paths in pairs.

    For example, set up the following shares:

    Component

    Sample Value

    Share for the installation path (S:\Dynamic File Services)

    DYNAMICFS_SHARE

    Share for S:\DATA, which will be used as the primary path for DATA_PAIR

    DATA_SHARE

    Share for K:\PROJECTS, which will be used as the primary path for PROJECTS_PAIR

    PROJECTS_SHARE

  2. In the Windows Failover Cluster Manager tool, add a Generic Service Resource to the cluster resource where you installed the software:

    1. Right-click the resource, then select Add Resource > Generic Service.

    2. On the New Resource Wizard page, select Dynamic File Services.

    3. Click Next > Next > Finish.

  3. Add dependencies to the service.

    The Dynamic File Service resource is not started until all of the specified dependencies are started and are online.

    1. With the Resources bottom tab selected, right-click the service, then select Properties.

    2. Click the Dependencies tab, then click Insert and add the File Server resource.

    3. Click Apply to save your changes, or click OK to save and close the dialog box.

  4. Add the registry entry for the Dynamic File Services setup as a resource. You must perform this step on the first node where you install Dynamic File Services.

    1. Right-click the service, then select Properties.

    2. Click the Registry Replication tab, then click Add.

    3. Type SOFTWARE\Novell\Dynamic File Services\Setup as the Root registry key.

    4. Click OK to apply the setting, then click OK to save your changes.

  5. Right-click the cluster role and select Add Storage.

  6. Add the secondary storage disk.

  7. Verify that the cluster role works by right-clicking it, then selecting Bring Online.

  8. Continue with Section 4.4.4, Moving the Cluster Resource from Node1 to Node2.

4.3.4 Moving the Cluster Role from Node1 to Node2

  1. On Node1, take the Service offline. In the Windows Failover Cluster Manager tool, right-click the Dynamic File Services cluster role, then select Stop Role.

  2. In the Windows Failover Cluster Manager tool, use the Move option to move the cluster role from Node1 to Node2.

    Do not bring the Dynamic File Services resource online on Node2 at this time.

  3. Continue with Installing and Setting Up Dynamic File Services on Node2.

4.3.5 Installing and Setting Up Dynamic File Services on Node2

Use the following procedure to install Dynamic File Services software on the currently active node (Node2).

  1. Log in to Node2 as the Administrator user or as a user with Administrator privileges.

    In an Active Directory environment, log in as a domain user who also has Active Directory Domain Administrator rights.

  2. Launch Filover Cluster Manager, then click Roles, select the Resources bottom tab, and bring the File Server resource online.

  3. Install Dynamic File Services by using the Custom option and specify the destination folder as the same folder you installed Dynamic File Services to on Node 1.

    The settings that were specified during the installation on Node1 are retrieved automatically from the Windows Registry on Node2, and are populated in the Custom fields. Do not modify the settings.

  4. Set up the DynamicFS administrator users for Node2 by adding their usernames as members of the Dynamic File Services group for this node.

    IMPORTANT:Assign the same users to the Dynamic File Services group that you used on Node1.

  5. (Optional) On Node2, use the Move option of the Windows Cluster Administrator tool to move the shared drive from Node2 to Node1.

  6. Click the Cluster Role and select Start Role.

    All services are now running on Node2.

  7. Continue with Section 4.5, Creating Pairs and Policies in a Cluster.