Adding HA SAN

[gymmbo]

I have a single Starwind iSCSI SAN running the latest version. My license is the 4TB HA version. I am ready to add the partner server. I was just recently able to acquire the hardware for the second box.

Do I have to shut down the current targets before I try to enable the HA partnership?
Do both servers need to be on the same MS Service Pack? I would be planning to fully update the second box prior to connecting so I can update the first box.

Any advice would be helpful.

[Constantin (staff)]

Hello,
Currently design of HA doesn`t allow you to use image files from basic or other kind of targets for creating HA devices. So, the only for you now is to create HA device and copy all info from existing basic target to HA.
Second option - wait for 5.7. In this version we`ll implement such functionality. Current release date for 5.7 - is mid of May, and it`s not final at all.
About version of Windows - yes, I would suggest you to use both machines with SP1.
For sync channel it`s better to use direct link - easier for troubleshooting if anything.
And heartbeat doesn`t require dedicated NIC - we recommend to use NIC used to connect to iSCSI initiator.