Starwind V6 Cluster - Migration Guidance

[jtmroczek]

Hello:

I am planning migration path for our StarWind Cluster for the new year. I want to move from StarWind v6 on Windows 2008 R2 to StarWind v8 on Windows 2012 R2. Obviously, StarWind v8 is not yet out; but I am hoping at least high level migration recommendations will be available.

I have a two-node cluster with 6 HA LUNs.

Am I correct in assuming the recommended upgrade path would be to update the OS first, then StarWind?

Is there guidance on how to migrate a HA cluster from Windows 2008 R2 to Windows 2012 R2? Preferably with no downtime.

Thank you for any consideration you can pay this matter.

Regards,

Joe M.

[Anatoly (staff)]

Hi!

Thank you for your interest in StarWind.

Well, you are correct -OS is first and then goes the StarWind part. I`m not 100% sure right now about the upgrade steps from the StarWind side that you`ll be better to take when you`ll start that migration right now, so I`ll ask you to send the corresponding request 1-2 weeks before you`ll be ready to start the process.

[jtmroczek]

We are preparing the OS upgrade now.

~joe

[Anatoly (staff)]

OK, here are the steps for you:
1. Remove all the HA partners from the StarWind1 box through the Replication manager;
2. Install new OS on StarWind1 box;
3. Install StarWind on StarWind1 box;
4. Add partners to all the HA partners on StarWind1 box through the Replication manager;
5.Wait for the synchronization process to finish and connect to the new targets after;
6. Remove all the HA partners from the StarWind2 box through the Replication manager;
7. Install new OS on StarWind2 box;
8. Install StarWind on StarWind2 box;
9. Add partners to all the HA partners on StarWind2 box through the Replication manager;
10.Wait for the synchronization process to finish and connect to the new targets after.

I hope that helped.

And lets talk about StarWind upgrade after it`ll get released

[jtmroczek]

Anatoly:

Thank you for the guidance. I have one follow up question.

It loosks like this process requires full synchronizations as opposed to differential. Is that the case?

That is to say should I plan on syncing the full 10TB of exported disks? Or just the few GB that change for the duration of the changeover?

~joe

[Anatoly (staff)]

Yes, you are correct, the FullSync will take place guaranteed, which is pretty obvious since the new image files are totally new and the delta is 100%