Move File Cluster Witness to Azure storage account

SenhorDolas 1,146 Reputation points
2022-04-21T11:20:35.63+00:00

Hi
I have a W2K8 Failover Cluster with 2 x nodes and currently I am using another server just to hold the Cluster Quorum witness.
Is there a way to use an Azure Storage Account to host the witness file?
I know that the "Configure a cloud witness" is not an option on W2K8 but can we do something clever with "Configure a file share witness" option?
Thanks, M

Windows Server Clustering
Windows Server Clustering
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Clustering: The grouping of multiple servers in a way that allows them to appear to be a single unit to client computers on a network. Clustering is a means of increasing network capacity, providing live backup in case one of the servers fails, and improving data security.
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Windows Server Infrastructure
Windows Server Infrastructure
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Infrastructure: A Microsoft solution area focused on providing organizations with a cloud solution that supports their real-world needs and meets evolving regulatory requirements.
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  1. Limitless Technology 39,336 Reputation points
    2022-04-26T10:30:03.597+00:00

    Hi there,

    You can follow the official Microsoft documentation over here on how to change the location for your witness:

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/manage-cluster-quorum#change-the-quorum-configuration-in-a-failover-cluster-by-using-failover-cluster-manager

    And also can refer to this:

    Changing Microsoft Failover Cluster File Share Witness
    In addition, you can also consider that use of disk witness instead of file share witness if your cluster is not a S2D cluster. More often, I recommend using disk witness rather than file share witness.

    Deploy a Cloud Witness for a Failover Cluster https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/deploy-cloud-witness

    Set up a cluster witness https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure-stack/hci/manage/witness

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  2. Alex Bykovskyi 1,681 Reputation points
    2022-04-26T14:14:28.89+00:00

    Hi,

    As an alternative, you can use StarWind VSAN to create Witness shared between your cluster nodes. The following guide should help with configuration:
    https://www.starwindsoftware.com/resource-library/starwind-virtual-san-for-hyper-v-2-node-hyperconverged-scenario-with-windows-server-2016/

    Cheers,

    Alex Bykvoskyi

    StarWind Software

    Note: Posts are provided “AS IS” without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose.

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  3. SenhorDolas 1,146 Reputation points
    2022-05-23T22:32:50.95+00:00

    Hi and sorry for the late reply,

    I tried to move the witness via powershell Azure files for W2K8 Failover Cluster but I keep getting a file not found.

    I can map the folder fine on the clusters but not when I run the set-clusterquorum cmd.

    Is this supported at all or can we make it work?

    Thanks

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