In this article, you will learn how to create a XenServer resource pool with shared iSCSI storage. A resource pool consists of multiple XenServer hosts joined together as a single, managed entity. When combined with shared storage, a resource pool enables virtual machines (VMs) to be started on any XenServer host containing the necessary available resources. VMs can also be moved dynamically between the members of the resource pool, using XenMotion, with minimal downtime. If an individual resource pool member has a hardware failure, then the administrator can restart the failed VMs on another resource pool member.
A resource pool always has a member known as the master. All interaction with the resource pool is done through the master. The master forwards all commands to the other individual resource pool members as necessary.
Before creating a new resource pool or adding a new host to an existing pool, there are several requirements that must be met:
- The CPUs in all the servers must be the same.
- The hosts must be running the same version of XenServer and be at the same patch level.
- The host must not be a member of another pool.
- The host must not have shared storage configured.
- The host must have no running or suspended VMs.
- The hosts must use the same time source.
- The management interface cannot be bonded.
- The management interface must use a static IP address.
Refer to the XenServer 5.5 Administrator’s Guide, chapter 2, for complete details on resource pools.
In an earlier article, all the details about the servers in my lab were given. The Windows Storage Server has been built and uses the iSCSI software from StarWind Software. StarWind Software graciously gave me a copy of the Enterprise version of the iSCSI software to use for this article. StarWind Software has an excellent article on how to install, configure and test the StarWind iSCSI SAN for use with XenServer at http://www.starwindsoftware.com/using-with-citrix-xen-server.
In Part 2 of another series, the first XenServer in the lab was built. The second XenServer is now built and ready to be configured. To add another server to XenCenter, click XenCenter in the left pane and click ADD a server (Figure 1).
Figure 1
Enter the IP address of the XenServer to be added and the password for the root account. Click Connect (Figure 2).
Figure 2
Follow the activation and license procedure detailed in Part 2 of the earlier series (Figure 3).
Figure 3
Once the license file has been installed, click the new XenServer host in the left pane, click the General tab and record the version information (Figure 4).
Figure 4
Repeat this process for every XenServer host that will be added to the resource pool (Figure 5).
Figure 5
The two XenServer hosts in my XenCenter are on different XenServer build numbers. XenServer1 is on build number 24648p and XenServer2 is on build number 15119p. Two requirements for creating a resource pool include all members must be running the same version of XenServer and be at the same patch level. Here, XenServer2 must have XenServer 5.5 Update 1 installed. Please refer to this article to install Update 1.
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