DELL 3-2-1 REFERENCE CONFIGURATIONS: HIGH-AVAILABILITY VIRTUALIZATION WITH DELL POWEREDGE R720 SERVERS A Principled Technologies configuration guide commissioned by Dell Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of contents ..................................................................................... 2 Introduction ............................................................................................ 4 Why 3-2-1?..........................................................................................4 Features of the new Dell PowerEdge R720 ........................................5 About the Intel Xeon processor E5 family ..........................................
Configuring the Dell EqualLogic PS6100XV for access from the host servers.............................................................................................. 30 Configuring the external volumes in VMware vSphere 5 ................ 30 Appendix F - Configuring networking ...................................................... 31 Configuring VM networking on ESXi ................................................ 31 Configuring the vMotion network ...................................................
INTRODUCTION Choosing the right combination of hardware and software for your data center can be a daunting task. You need powerful servers to run your applications in virtual machines, reliable storage to safely store your data, and software to help you manage your infrastructure.
Two Dell PowerConnect™ 6224 switches allow stacking to provide interconnectivity and ample bandwidth for any network traffic, isolate different types of network traffic via VLANs, and maintain high availability in the event of a switch failure. The Dell EqualLogic™ PS6100XV storage array rounds out the 3-2-1 Reference Configuration, with excellent I/O performance, optimized scalability, and flexible management options to meet all your storage and performance needs.
interface for management functions and by storing critical system information in the system itself. There are no CDs or USB keys to keep track of for drivers or firmware. Storage. With impressive storage capacity for small business servers, the Dell PowerEdge R720 is available in both an 8-bay and 16-bay chassis. Memory. The Dell PowerEdge R720 holds up to 768 GB of RAM, many times the RAM capacity of older small business servers, allowing for powerful flexibility with virtualized database solutions.
administrators can also monitor networking and storage. The Dell Management Plug-In for VMware vCenter allows administrators to easily view the status of multiple ESXi servers and fully manage them from within the vCenter console. The plug-in, developed as part of the Dell OpenManage collection of software, is easily deployed into an existing vCenter Server. About Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 SQL Server 2008 R2 is the latest release of Microsoft’s database management platform.
Quantity 2 1 2 1 Name Dell PowerEdge R720 Dell PowerEdge R620 Dell PowerConnect 6224 Dell EqualLogic PS6100XV Function Host servers Management server Switches Storage array Figure 2: The hardware that comes with the Dell 3-2-1 Reference Configuration we tested.
Figure 3: Networking cabling for our Dell 3-2-1 Reference Configuration. To take advantage of the features of the Dell PowerConnect 6224 switches, we implemented the stacking feature to allow connectivity between the switches. This feature lets you easily manage the two switches from a single management console and allows for greater bandwidth than you would have using link aggregation. Figure 4 shows how we configured the network cables across the NICs for each Dell PowerEdge R720.
Configuring the management server Configure the Dell PowerEdge R620 as the management server. Before completing these steps, ensure that you have applied all available updates to Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. Additionally, you will need to set the IP addresses of the NICs. Figure 5 shows how we set up the NICs. NIC Traffic type Adapters assigned to this subnet 1 Service console 192.30.1.203 2 Service console 192.30.1.204 3 Management 192.168.1.203 4 Switch access 192.168.2.
the many features of the Dell PowerConnect 6224, visit http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/network/pc62xx/en/index.htm. Now, use the Dell PowerEdge R620 management server to access the Dell PowerConnect 6224 switches and create the VLANs to isolate the different types of traffic. Ensure that your switches are connected using the stacking modules to create the VLANs on both switches. To create the VLANs, perform the following steps on the Service console: 1.
1. Using the command-line console, via serial cable, go through the initial configuration process for the Dell EqualLogic PS6100XV. Supply a group name, group IP address, and an IP address for the first port on the array. 2. Using a computer connected to the storage VLAN and on the same subnet as the group IP address, open a Web browser and enter the group IP address. 3. After providing the appropriate login credentials, use the Web interface to create a RAID 10 storage pool, and create eight volumes.
For step-by-step instructions on how to configure ESXi on the Dell PowerEdge R720 host servers, see Appendix C. Creating and configuring a cluster in vCenter Server To create the cluster on the Dell PowerEdge R620 management server, complete the following steps: 1. Install vSphere Client on the management server. 2. Using vSphere Client, connect to the vCenter Server using the appropriate credentials. 3.
1. Configure VM networking so that the virtual machines can connect with the client machines in your existing infrastructure. Click on the first ESXi host, and in the Networking Configuration menu, create a vSphere standard switch, assign the host NICs that connect to your existing infrastructure or public network, and assign the appropriate network label and IP settings. Repeat this for the second ESXi host. 2. Configure the vMotion network.
automatically run an inventory after you create the connection profile, and will regularly update that inventory from that point. For detailed instruction for completing these tasks, see Appendix G. Creating the virtual machines To create the VMs, install the operating system on each, and append the additional storage volumes to each, complete the following steps: 1. Using vSphere Client, log into vCenter Server on the management server, and select one of the ESXi hosts in the cluster.
VM assignment VM #1 VM #2 VM #3 Datastore VirtualMachine1 SQLData SQLLog VirtualMachine2 Exchange ExchangeLog VirtualMachine3 SharePoint Volume size (GB) 70 250 50 70 500 100 70 250 Figure 9: The volumes we assigned to each VM. For detailed instruction on completing each of these tasks, see Appendix H. Configuring the virtual machines Installing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 on VM #1 After creating the virtual machines, install Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 on VM #1.
Figure 10: SQL Server 2008 R2 Installation Center options. 3. Proceed through the first several installation steps, entering license information, and installing prerequisites with default options specified. On the Setup Role screen, choose a SQL Server Feature Installation. 4. On the Feature Selection screen, select only what you need for your particular configuration (see Figure 11).
Figure 11: Choosing features for installation. 5. On the first installation, choose to install the default instance. If you perform subsequent installations on the same server, choose named instance and provide a name for the instance. 6. Configure the credentials of the SQL Server service account and SQL Server Agent accounts. 7. Specify SQL Server administrators, and specify the authentication mode desired for your configuration.
2. Insert the Exchange 2010 installation DVD, and capture the DVD drive to the virtual machine. When the Autoplay window appears, click Run Setup.EXE to access the main installation menu (see Figure 12). Figure 12: The main installation menu for Exchange Server 2010. 3. The installer should consider steps 1 and 2 to be complete (they will appear grayed out). Click Step 3: Choose Exchange Language Option, and install only languages from the DVD. 4. Click Step 4: Install Microsoft Exchange Server 2010. 5.
Figure 13: Exchange Server 2010 Installation type selection screen. 7. Leave the organization name at default (First Organization), and click Next. 8. To enable compatibility with previous Outlook 2003 clients, at the question about client computers running Outlook 2003 or Entourage, select Yes, and click Next. 9. Click Next to accept defaults for Configure Client Access server external domain, and select your preference for the Customer Experience Improvement Program. 10.
Figure 14: Readiness Checks status and install screen. 11. Once the installation has completed, click Finish. Exchange should automatically open the Exchange Management Console (see Figure 15).
Figure 15: Installation complete screen. To receive external mail, you will need to contact your Internet service provider NOTE (ISP) to register your MX record associated with your mail server’s external IP address. You will also need to establish routes in your firewall to direct all SMTP traffic to your Exchange Server 2010 IP address. Installing SP2 for Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Microsoft recently released Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Microsoft Exchange 2010.
2. Right-click the mailbox, click Move Databases, and enter the new paths of the database .edb file and the log files. You will be prompted to dismount and remount the databases for the action to complete before the move finishes. For detailed instructions on completing each of these tasks, see Appendix I. Installing Microsoft SharePoint Server2010 on VM #3 To install Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 on VM #3, complete the following steps: 1.
Figure 17: Selecting the server type. 4. When the installation finishes, check the box for Run the SharePoint Products Configuration Wizard now, and click Close. 5. When the configuration completes successfully, click Finish. For detailed step-by-step instruction on how to complete each of these tasks, see Appendix I. SUMMING IT ALL UP Ensuring that your virtualized infrastructure is highly available, performs well, and keeps costs down is important.
APPENDIX A - CONFIGURING THE MANAGEMENT SERVER Setting up vCenter Server 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Add the Service Console to the domain. Insert the vCenter Server 5 DVD. Select Autorun. Select vCenter Server from the list of VMware Product Installers, and click Install. Select English, and click OK. The installer will configure .NET Framework at this point. Click Next. Click Next to accept the End-User Patent Agreement. Accept the License Agreement, and click Next.
APPENDIX B - SETTING UP THE SWITCHES AND STORAGE Creating a VLAN and assigning ports on the Dell PowerConnect 6224 switch 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Open a Web browser and enter the IP address of the switch. Enter the appropriate login credentials. In the left pane, expand Switching, VLAN, and click VLAN Membership. In the right pane, click Add. Enter the first VLAN ID and Name, and click Apply Changes. Repeat Step 4 twice to create the remaining VLANs. When you finish, click Back.
c. Type 70 for the Volume size, and click Next. For our testing purposes, we did not create a snapshot reserve with the volume. d. On the Step 3 – iSCSI Access screen, click the Allow simultaneous connections from initiators with different IQN names checkbox. Review the Summary, and click Finish. 6.
APPENDIX C - CONFIGURING THE ESXI HOST SERVERS Configuring vSphere 5 (ESXi) after installation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. On the ESXi screen, press F2, enter the root password, and press Enter. On the System Customization screen, select Configure Management Network. On the Configure Management Network screen, select IP Configuration. On the IP Configuration screen, select set static IP, enter an IP address and subnet mask, and press Enter. On the Configure Management Network screen, press Esc.
APPENDIX D - CREATING AND CONFIGURING A CLUSTER Installing vSphere Client You can install vSphere Client on any Windows-based system for accessibility. For this setup, we installed it on the management server. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Insert the vCenter Server 5 DVD. Select Autorun. Select vSphere Client from the list of VMware Product Installers, and click Install. Select English, and click OK. At the Welcome screen, click Next. Click Next to accept the End-User Patent Agreement.
APPENDIX E - CONFIGURING THE STORAGE Configuring the Dell EqualLogic PS6100XV for access from the host servers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Log into vSphere Client. Select the first ESXi host in vSphere Client. Click on the Configuration tab of this host. Select Storage Adapters from the Hardware section of the left panel. Click on the iSCSI Software Adapter, and copy the iSCSI name listed in the Details pane into a blank notepad or word processing document.
APPENDIX F - CONFIGURING NETWORKING Configuring VM networking on ESXi 1. Using vSphere client connect to vCenter Server on the management server, and perform the following steps on each host server in the cluster. 2. Add the necessary vSwitch for the VM/Public network: a. Click the host, click the Configuration tab, and click Networking. b. Click Add Networking. c. Choose Virtual Machine, and click Next. d. Choose VMkernel, and click Next. e. Choose create a vSphere standard switch. f.
b. Click Add. c. Click Add software iSCSI adapter. d. Click OK. 4. Configure the iSCSI software storage adapter: a. Right-click the iSCSI adapter that was just added to the system, select Properties, and ensure it is enabled. b. Inside the iSCSI adapter Properties window, click the Network Configuration tab. c. Under VMkernel port bindings, click Add, and add each VMkernel adapter to the VMkernel port bindings list. d.
APPENDIX G - CONFIGURING THE DELL MANAGEMENT VCENTER PLUG-IN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Download the Dell Management vCenter Plugin (a self-extracting EXE), and extract the files. Log onto the ESXi host with vSphere Client, and click on FileDeploy OVF Template. Browse to the OVF file extracted to the Dell Management vCenter plugin folder, and click Open. Review the OVF Template Details, and click Next. Review the Name and Location, and click Next.
APPENDIX H - CREATING THE VIRTUAL MACHINES Creating the VMs 1. In vSphere client, connect to the vCenter Server on the management server, and browse to one of the ESXi hosts. 2. Click the Virtual Machines tab. 3. Right-click, and choose New Virtual Machine. 4. Choose Custom, and click Next. 5. Assign a name to the virtual machine, and click Next. 6. Select the first assigned OS Datastore on the external storage, and click Next. 7. Select WindowsMicrosoft Windows Server 2008 R2 (64-bit), and click Next. 8.
c. Select TCP/IP (v4), and choose Properties. d. Set the IP address, subnet, gateway, and DNS server for the virtual NIC, which will handle outgoing server traffic. Click OK, and click Close. 17. Repeat steps 1 through 16 to install the operating system on the other two VMs. Adding the external volumes to the VMs in VMware vSphere 5 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. In the vSphere client, right-click the first VM. Click Edit Settings.
APPENDIX I - CONFIGURING THE VIRTUAL MACHINES Installing SQL Server 2008 R2 on VM #1 Install an instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 by following these steps. This installation walkthrough covers only the installation of the Database Engine and Management Components. For other components outside the scope of this guide, such as Reporting Services, Integration Services, or Analysis Services, see Microsoft documentation at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143219(SQL.105).aspx. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Installing Exchange Server 2010 SP2 on VM #2 Installing the prerequisites Install .NET Framework 3.5.1 features, Internet Information Services, the Microsoft Filter Pack 2.0, enable RSATADDS, and enable the Net.Tcp Port Sharing service. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Select StartAdministrative ToolsServer Manager. Click Features. Click Add Features. Select .NET Framework 3.5.1 Features. Click Add Required Role Services. Click Next. Click Next.
13. At the Customer Experience Improvement Program screen, select I don’t want to join the program at this time, and click Next. 14. If a warning about a lack of SMTP appears after the check finishes, ignore it for now. We will address this in the following section. 15. Click Install to start the installation process. 16. Once installation is complete, click Finish. 17. Click OK when the installation prompts you to reboot. 18. Click Close. 19. Click Yes to confirm exit. 20. Reboot the VM.
Installing SharePoint Server 2010 on VM #3 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Insert the installation DVD, and capture the DVD drive in the VM session. Launch setup.exe, and click Install software prerequisites. At the Welcome to the Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Products Preparation Tool screen, click Next. Accept the EULA, and click Next. When the prerequisites finish installing, click Finish. On the main SharePoint installation menu, click Install SharePoint Server.
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