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Using cloned Windows images

shahfar
Level 5
Accredited Certified

Hi Everyone,

How does everyone take using cloned windows images as secondary cluster (using SFWHA) nodes of the primary (clone source)? Using maybe something from Acronis? I believe it is not recommended but just wanted to know if annyone has tried it.

 

Thanks.

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions

Wally_Heim
Level 6
Employee

Hi Shahfar,

During SFW's installation, it generates a unique identifier (UID) for the node.  SFW uses this UID to stamp disk groups that are imported so that it can determine if the diskgroup was last imported on this node or a different node. 

The problem with using a clone of a server that already has SFW installed is that the UID will not be unique.  This will mean that the normal checks to see if this node owns the disk group or was the last node to own the disk group will not work as expected.  This might cause unexpected behavior when used in a cluster configuration.

As you stated Symantec does not recommend cloning servers with SFW/SFW-HA preinstalled on them.  Your best option would be to clone the base installation and have SFW/SFW-HA installation scripted using slient mode installation as a post clone process.

Thanks,

Wally

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1 REPLY 1

Wally_Heim
Level 6
Employee

Hi Shahfar,

During SFW's installation, it generates a unique identifier (UID) for the node.  SFW uses this UID to stamp disk groups that are imported so that it can determine if the diskgroup was last imported on this node or a different node. 

The problem with using a clone of a server that already has SFW installed is that the UID will not be unique.  This will mean that the normal checks to see if this node owns the disk group or was the last node to own the disk group will not work as expected.  This might cause unexpected behavior when used in a cluster configuration.

As you stated Symantec does not recommend cloning servers with SFW/SFW-HA preinstalled on them.  Your best option would be to clone the base installation and have SFW/SFW-HA installation scripted using slient mode installation as a post clone process.

Thanks,

Wally