Q1: I have a cluster configuration that meets the qualifications for the "Designed for Windows Logo Program." However, ClusPrep reports that this configuration failed one or more tests. Does this mean that Microsoft does not support my cluster configuration?A1: No. The support policy for Microsoft Windows 2000 and for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 states that we support clusters that are listed under the Cluster Solutions category in the Windows Server Catalog. This policy has not changed. Additionally, we have taken measures to help make sure that the ClusPrep test results align with the qualified solutions in the Windows Server Catalog. If you find that a qualified solution does not pass ClusPrep, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services so that we can investigate. There may be a problem with an original equipment manufacturer's (OEM's) hardware or software. Or, there may be a problem with ClusPrep. To troubleshoot the cause of this problem, we must review each scenario in which you experience the problem.
Q2: I have a Windows Server 2003-based server cluster that uses hardware components that are not listed in the Windows Server Catalog. When I run ClusPrep, ClusPrep does not report any failures. Does this mean that Microsoft supports my cluster configuration?A2: No. The support policy for Windows 2000 and for Windows Server 2003 states that we support clusters that are listed under the Cluster Solutions category in the Windows Server Catalog. This policy has not changed.
Q3: Can ClusPrep test 64-bit systems?A3: Yes. ClusPrep can test a server that uses any architecture. These servers include x86-based systems, x64-based systems, and Itanium-based systems. However, ClusPrep must be installed on an x86-based system. For example, you must install ClusPrep on an x86-based version of Microsoft Windows XP or on an x86-based version of Windows Server 2003.
Q4: Can I use ClusPrep to test a Majority Node Set (MNS) cluster? A4: Yes. However, this test has limitations. ClusPrep cannot detect the intended quorum model for this kind of cluster. Therefore, ClusPrep may not locate any shareable disks. For example, in a geographically dispersed cluster scenario that has no shared disks, ClusPrep cannot locate any disks that are suitable for clustering. Therefore, ClusPrep cancels any remaining storage tests. ClusPrep records this scenario as a failure of the storage test suite. If you are using an MNS cluster that has no shared disks, this failure does not indicate a problem with the cluster. Therefore, if the tests other than the storage tests succeed, you can expect the MNS cluster to function correctly. Contact your vendor for more information about how to perform storage verification of geographically dispersed clusters.
Q5: Can I use ClusPrep to test a cluster that consists of Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 nodes?A5: Yes. A Virtual Server 2005 node appears the same as a physical node. ClusPrep has been used to test many Virtual Server nodes successfully.
Q6: Can I use ClusPrep to test an iSCSI-based cluster?A6: Yes. Configure the iSCSI storage, and then run the tests. We used iSCSI as an important part of our test suites. Additionally, many iSCSI storage OEMs have been involved in the beta version of ClusPrep.
Known issues
The following issues are known to occur with ClusPrep.
Installation error: "Not enough storage is available to process this command"
When you try to install ClusPrep, you receive the following error message:
Not enough storage is available to process this command.
You receive this error message if you try to install ClusPrep on a computer that is running one of the following operating systems:
- Windows Vista
- Windows Server 2008
ClusPrep is not designed to run in Windows Vista or in Windows Server 2008. In Windows Server 2008, ClusPrep 2.0 is included as the Validate tool. To verify the functionality of Windows Server 2008 servers, use the Validate tool. Do not use ClusPrep 1.0. ClusPrep 1.0 works only in Windows 2000 Server and in Windows Server 2003.
Because of a limitation in the ClusPrep installation program, you cannot install ClusPrep on a computer that is running Windows Vista orWindows Server 2008.
Error message: "This Microsoft Cluster Configuration Validation Wizard is for different hardware"
When you install ClusPrep on an x64-based computer or on an IA-64-based computer, you receive the following error message:
This Microsoft Cluster Configuration Validation Wizard is for different hardware.
ClusPrep has two parts:
- The client component. ClusPrep is installed from the client component. It is also started from the client component.
- The server component. The server component is installed on the nodes that you are testing. It also runs on these nodes.
The client component is not supported on 64-bit platforms. You must install ClusPrep on a computer that is running an x86-based version of Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or an x86-based version of Windows Server 2003. Because the server component is fully supported on 64-bit servers, you can then use ClusPrep to test and verify 64-bit servers.
ClusPrep does not run storage tests on installed clusters
After you install ClusPrep, you cannot run storage tests on installed clusters.
This behavior is intended. ClusPrep is a pre-deployment tool that tests a collection of connected server systems before you install clustering. If you have already installed clustering, ClusPrep runs only the system inventory tests and the network tests. Because storage tests may disrupt a production cluster, ClusPrep skips storage tests if clustering is already installed.