Robert Smit MVP Blog   Azure and Microsoft Windows Insider Server Cloud Blog

The way We build a cluster in windows 2008R2 is almost the same in windows 8

In windows 8 You can do more with PowerShell. In this blog post I will create a cluster old style first. Then PowerShell one-liner

 

My first node and the windows server 8 cluster group. just create a cluster group for easy handling the servers.

And as you can see the selected server is on the right top of your screen.

Now in this gui we add the Failover cluster Role and the tools. I did select the server and proceed with the wizard.

Just follow the wizard and add the Feature.

Now there is a new thing you don’t have to wait till the install is done. close the window and if you want to see the progress you can. by opening the installation progress task.

 

Now I added the Failover cluster feature almost 4 windows  

The PowerShell way : Trouble with the Commands ? just use the *

Go to the powershell <> it is already in admin mode <>

Get-WindowsFeature *

you will see a list of all Features. I will use only the Failover-clustering

Get-WindowsFeature Failover-Clustering

The installation kicks in and does the installation with out any questions.

  

This will save time or when you do a unattended OSD. As you can see in the PowerShell I opened a PoSH to the other node just right click on the node.

But sure you can use the GUI.

But what about the Creation of a cluster. ? Gui or PoSH Well first the PowerShell line.

New-Cluster -Name "My-first-Cluster" -Node mvpwin8-n1 -NoStorage -StaticAddress "11.222.222.33"

Cluster name is :My-first-Cluster

Nodes in my cluster is 1 <> and yes you can create a one node cluster.

I did not add any storage to the cluster.

And I used a static IP : 11.222.222.33

Or Gui <> This time I add both nodes, open the FCM and select create new Cluster and add both nodes.

   

Run the validation reports. And the validation reports are also contains new items

 

Give the Cluster a name and an IP and my cluster is ready.

 

Now that my basic cluster is ready We add some disks to the cluster.

The PowerShell Way :

This shows a list of all available disks

Get-ClusterAvailableDisk -Cluster Clustername

the add-cluster disks adds the disks to the cluster

Get-ClusterAvailableDisk -Cluster Clustername |Add-ClusterDisk

 

or in the FCM right click on storage

 

Now that we have disk in our cluster we can add witness disk to the cluster.

under more actions we can select the Quorum settings

Disk and node majority is the choice for a two node cluster on a three node you don’t need the disk. the Third node is the Vote.

 

Choose a disk for the Quorum, and as you can see I do have a drive letter but if you want more security. Skip the Drive letter you do not need it.

 

Next Step add Roles to the cluster.