Step 4: Configure a Clustered File Server for the Head Node in Windows HPC Server 2008 R2

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Applies To: Windows HPC Server 2008 R2

In this step, you run the High Availability Wizard to configure a clustered file server for the head node in the HPC cluster to use.

To configure a clustered file server for the head node to use

  1. In Failover Cluster Manager, in the console tree, select Services and Applications.

  2. In the Actions pane, click Configure a Service or Application.

  3. In the wizard, if the Before You Begin page appears, read the page and then click Next.

  4. Click File Server, and then click Next.

  5. Follow the instructions in the wizard to specify the following details:

    • The network name for the clustered instance of the head node, for example, HeadNodeClust. You are currently creating a clustered file server, but in a later procedure it will become the clustered instance of the head node.

      Note

      This is the name that will be used by users, administrators, and compute nodes for communication with the head node.

    • Any IP address information that is not automatically supplied by your Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) settings—for example, a static IPv4 address for this clustered file server.

    • The storage volume or volumes that the clustered file server should use.

      Important

      When you reach the Confirmation page of the wizard, carefully review the IP address information. All the networks that you expect to see should be listed. For example, ensure that you see the networks that will be used for deploying compute nodes, running jobs on compute nodes, and communicating between clients and the head node. If a network is missing from the list, click Cancel and return to “Configure networks for communication within the failover cluster” in Step 3: Set Up Failover Clustering and File Services for Servers that Will Run the Head Node.

  6. After the wizard runs and the Summary page appears, to view a report of the tasks that the wizard performed, click View Report.

  7. To close the wizard, click Finish.

  8. On each of the servers in the failover cluster, in Control Panel, open Windows Firewall, click Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall, click the Change settings button (if necessary), select the exception for Remote Volume Management, and then click OK.

  9. In Failover Cluster Manager, in the console tree, make sure Services and Applications is expanded, and then select the clustered file server that you just created.

  10. In the Actions pane, click Add a shared folder.

    The Provision a Shared Folder Wizard appears. (This is the same wizard that you would use to provision a share on a nonclustered file server.) You will need the shared folder for installing HPC Pack 2008 R2, but you can stop sharing it after you complete the installation of the head node.

  11. Follow the instructions in the wizard to specify a path and name for the shared folder, and accept the defaults for permissions and other settings.

  12. After completing the wizard, confirm that the clustered file server comes online. If it does not, review the state of the networks and storage and correct any issues. Then right-click the new clustered file server and click Bring this service or application online.

  13. To perform a basic test of failover, right-click the clustered file server, click Move this service or application to another node, and click the available choice of node. When prompted, confirm your choice. You can observe the status changes in the center pane of the snap-in as the clustered file server instance is moved.

Additional references

Step 5: Set Up Remote SQL Server 2008 SP1 for the HPC Cluster