Install a basic Windows 2003 Cluster
This is a complete how-to on how to build a Windows 2003 Cluster from scratch.
Before beginning be sure of the following:
- The cluster-servers-to-be are domain members (no standalone servers)
- You have Domain Admin rights
- All cluster-servers-to-be are installed with Windows 2003 Enterprise Server
- Shared disks are present (Basic Disks, NTFS)
- Minimum of 2 network adapters present per node
- You have a list of the IP-addresses you want to use
1. The first step, create a domain account for use with the Cluster Service. (e.g. _ClusterService). This account can be a normal Domain User. After creating the account add the user to the local administrators group on the cluster nodes.
2. Make sure the following services are disabled on all cluster nodes:
Distributed Link Tracking Client
Task Scheduler
Wireless Configuration
3. Check the Power Options on all cluster nodes and make sure the power savings are disabled.
4. Install Network DTC Access on all cluster nodes
Go to the Control Panel and Add/Remove Programs. Select the Windows Components and go to Application Server. Select Enable Network DTC Access. After installing restart the Distributed Transaction Coördinator Service and, if present, the Microsoft Message Queuing.
5. Configure the network cards on all cluster nodes.
Rename a network connection to Private Network and one to Public Network. This way you have a better overview of your network connections.
6. Set the binding order on all cluster nodes. Go to the Control Panel and select Network Connections in the menu. Go to Advanced en select Advanced Settings. Make sure the Public Network is the first connection to bind and Private as second.
7. Set the network settings on the Private Network connection on all cluster nodes.
Fill in the IP-address and Subnet Mask of the network connection. Do not fill in DNS Servers, Gateway and WINS Servers. Make sure that Register this connection in DNS is off. Also Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP.
For best practice force the duplex/speed on 10 Mb/s Half duplex, even though you might have a GigaBit networkcard.
Make sure “File and print sharing for networks client” and “Client for Microsoft Networks” are off.
8. Set the network settings on the Public Network connection on all cluster nodes.
Fill in the IP-address, Subnet Mask, DNS, WINS and Gateway of the network connection. Set the duplex/speed fixed on for example 100 Mb Full Duplex. This is also Microsoft Best Practise.
9. On the first node start the Cluster Admin and select Create a new cluster.
After the Welcome screen click Next
On the Cluster Name and Domain screen, select the domain and Cluster Name. Click Next
On the Select Computer screen, select the computer name of the first node. Click on Advanced
Select Typical (Full) Configuration, click Ok
The Wizard is now analyzing the hardware- and software configuration of your server. Click on Next when this is done.
On the IP Address screen fill in the IP Address for the Cluster Management Tools. Click Next
On the Cluster Service Account fill in the user properties for the user created in step 1. Click Ok
On the Proposed Cluster Configuration screen Select the Quorum button.
Select the disk for use with the Quorum. Click Ok.
Now the Cluster is being created and started. Click Next and Finish
Check if the Cluster service is started.
10. On the second node (and third etc.) start the Cluster Admin. Select Add Nodes to cluster and type in the Cluster or Server name.
After the Welcome screen click Next
On the Select Computers screen fill in the name of the second node and click on Add.
The Wizard is now analyzing the hardware- and software configuration of your server. Click on Next when this is done.
On the Cluster Service Account screen fill in the password and domain for the account created in step 1. Click Next
On the Proposed Cluster Configuration check if everything is in order. Click on Next
On the Adding Nodes to The Cluster screen wait for the cluster to be configured. Click on Next and Finish
Do step 10 for every node you want to add.
11. Start the Cluster Admin on one of your nodes. Right-click on the Cluster Name and select Properties. Go to the Tab Network Priority and make sure the Private Network is on top. Click Ok.
12. Select Cluster Configuration and then Networks. Right-click on the Private Network and select Properties. Select Internal Cluster communications only (private network) and click on Ok
13. Right-click on the Cluster Group and Select New Resource. Fill in the following information :
Name : MSDTC Resource
Description : MSDTC Resource
Resource Type : Distributed Transaction Coordinator
Group : Cluster Group
Click Next
On the Possible Owners screen select All Nodes and add them to the Possible Owners. Click Next
On the Dependencies screen add the Cluster Name and Physical disk (Quorum) to the Resource dependencies. Click Finish
14. Right-click on the MSDT Resource and select Properties. Select the Advanced tab. Do NOT select the Affect Group option and click Ok.
15. Right-click on the MSDT Resource and select Bring Online.
16. Start a command prompt and start
cluster.exe /prop
Check the properties which are displayed for EnableEventLogReplication. Make sure this setting is 0.
If it’s not 0 type the following in the command prompt :
cluster.exe /prop EnableEventLogReplication = 0
Check the properties again.
Now you have a perfectly configured basic Windows 2003 Cluster. From here on you can use this to cluster for example Exchange 2003, SQL Server or a File Server.
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