Hardware & Windows Server Best Practices

Microsoft Platform Guide

Audience: Public
Source Type: Documentation

Microsoft Platform Guide
Azure Local with Everpure
Azure Local with Everpure FlashArray Quick Start Guide for Hyperconverged Deployments
Azure Local Virtual Machine Storage Lifecycle Operations with Everpure FlashArray
Failover Clustering Feature
Reclaiming Space on a Clustered Shared Volume
Step 1 Find out which volume is the CSV
Step 2 Find out which drive letters are currently in use
References
Using FlashProtect Snapshots and Cluster Shared Volumes
Overview
Terminology
Unique Identifications
Using a Clustered Shared Volume Snapshot
Standalone Servers
Windows Server Failover Clusters
FlashArray Connectivity
How-To: Configure Windows host to connect via 2 separate VLANs to the same array using PowerShell
How-To: Retrieve World Wide Names (WWNs) and iSCSI Qualified Names (IQNs) on Windows Server
World Wide Names (WWNs)
iSCSI Qualified Names (IQNs)
Setup Fibre Channel on Windows Server
Overview
Configuring FlashArray Host, WWNs, and Volume
Test Connectivity
Setup iSCSI on Windows Server
Overview
Setup Using Windows Server and FlashArray Management Tools
Configure MSiSCSI (Part 1 of 2)
Configure FlashArray Host and Volume
Configure MSiSCSI (Part 2 of 2)
Using CHAP with iSCSI
Optimizing Latency on Windows Hosts
Test Connectivity
Setup iSCSI on Windows Server 2008 R2 and 2008 R2 (Service Pack 1)
Overview
Setup Using Windows Server and FlashArray Management Tools
Configure MSiSCSI (Part 1)
Configure FlashArray Host and Volume
Configure MSiSCSI (Part 2)
Configuring Volumes with Windows Server
Test Connectivity
Setup iSCSI on Windows Server with Windows PowerShell
Overview
Setup Using Windows PowerShell
Configure MSiSCSI (Part 1)
Configure FlashArray Host and Volume
Configure MSiSCSI - Part 2
Test Connectivity
Validate Windows Server with Test-Pfa2WindowsBestPractices Cmdlet
Hyper-V Role
Microsoft Hyper-V
Hyper-V Overview
Pure FlashArray Overview
Technical Benefits of Hyper-V on Pure FlashArray
Hyper-V on Pure - Transitioning from vSphere to Hyper-V
Quick Hyper-V Overview
Quick Pure FlashArray Overview
Comparing vSphere and Hyper-V
Workload Migration - Basic Process
Tools to help with Migrations
Convert the disk
Backup Software
Clone the disk
Migration Tools
Unsupported Migration Tools for Hyper-V
Running mixed Hyper-V and vSphere environments
Everpure ActiveCluster
Additional Resources
Summary
Hyper-V on Pure FlashArray How-To
Quick Hyper-V Overview
Quick Pure FlashArray Overview
ActiveDR
ActiveCluster
Requirements
Preparing the Pure FlashArray
Hyper-V
Multi-path IO
Caveats
Load Balance Policy
iSCSI
Fibre Channel
Virtual Fibre Channel Best Practices
Failover Clustering
Provisioning Storage
FlashArray GUI
PowerShell SDK2
Failover Cluster
Quorum
Validating Proper Storage Configuration
Integrating Windows Admin Center
WAC and CSV
Integrating Windows Systems Center (VMM & Operations Manager)
Systems Center Virtual Machine Manager
SCVMM VMware to Hyper-V Migration
Systems Center Operations Manager
Networking
Snapshots - VM Recovery
Summary
Hyper-V Best Practices for FlashArray
Quick Hyper-V Overview
Quick Pure FlashArray Overview
Hardware & Windows Server Best Practices
Hyper-V Hosts
Processor-Related Power Settings for Hosts
BIOS/UEFI Power Settings for Processors
Windows Server Power Plan
Security Software
Business Continuity
Host Availability
VM Availability
Storage
Host Storage Connectivity
Fibre Channel Best Practices
Presenting Storage to Hosts
Network Best Practices
Types of Networks for Hyper-V
Virtual Local Area Network
Underlying Network Availability
Redundancy and Isolation
Flow Control
Virtual Switches
Physical Network Card Configuration
Network Card Power Management
Single Root I/O Virtualization
Remote Direct Memory Access
Receive Side Scaling
Virtual Machine Queue
NIC Teaming
Virtual Machine Best Practices
Virtual Machine Generation
Integration Services
Processor Power Settings
Security Software
Anti-Affinity
Networking
Storage
Virtual Storage Connectivity and Virtual Disks
Virtual Storage Controller Types
Virtual Disk Types
Virtual Disk Configuration
Fixed Versus Dynamic Virtual Disks
Disk Signatures
Formatting Disks
Windows Server
Linux
Shared Storage for Failover Cluster Instances
Virtual Machine Performance
Virtual Disk Performance
Virtual Processors and vNUMA Presentation
vNUMA for I/O Controllers
Memory
FlashArray Integration with Hyper-V
System Center Operations Manager
Windows Admin Center
System Center Virtual Machine Manager
Offloaded Data Transfer
Everpure PowerShell SDK2
Everpure FlashArray Backup
Everpure VSS Hardware Provider
Snapshots and SafeMode
Storage-based Replication
FlashArray Asynchronous Replication
ActiveCluster
ActiveDR
Cloud Block Store
Summary
About the Author
Addendum - Best Practices Checklist
Design guide for Microsoft Applications with Hyper-V on FlashStack Mini CI
Hyper-V PoC Automation Guide
Hyper-V POC Automation Guide Appendix
Microsoft Hyper-V Stretched Cluster with ActiveCluster
Windows Server Failover Cluster - Physical Disk Cluster Resource Default Timeouts
ActiveDR and Microsoft Solutions
Failover Setup and Testing
SQL Server
Appendix
Script Examples
Microsoft Exchange Server
Design Guide for Microsoft Exchange Server on FlashStack™
Exchange Server 2019 Best Practices on Everpure FlashArray
Exchange Sizing: Microsoft Calculator
Exchange Sizing: PowerShell Script
Exchange Solution Reviewed Program (ESRP) for 40,000 User Mailboxes for Exchange Server 2013
Microsoft Integration Releases
Microsoft Integrations for FlashArray Resource Repositories
Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager
System Center Virtual Machine Manager
Overview
Step-by-Step Configuration
Step 1 - Enabling SMI-S Service
Step 2 - Add New Storage Device in SCVMM
Step 3 - Adding a Storage Device
Step 4 - Select a Storage Provider Type
Step 5 - Configuring SMI-S Connectivity
Step 6 - Gathering Information
Step 7 - Assigning a Classification
Step 8 -- Review & Finish
Step 9 - Creating a Logical Unit (LUN)
Create CSV on Microsoft Failover Cluster
Step 1 - Open Properties on the Microsoft Failover Cluster and select Shared Volumes
Step 2- Click Add and then Create Logical Unit
Step 2a - If the Storage Pool you wish to create the CSV in is present, skip to Step 3.
Step 2b - Click Allocate Storage Pools.
Step 2c - Check All Hosts properties.
Step 3 - Create LUN
Step 4 - Add Cluster Shared Volume.
Step 5 - Optional - Check the audit log.
Step 6 - Optional - Check Failover Cluster Manager.
Step 7 - Optional - Check SCVMM.
System Center Supported Storage Arrays
Everpure FlashArray Management Extension for SQL Server Management Studio
Resources
Components
Supported Features
Frequently Asked Questions
Everpure FlashArray Management Extension for Windows Admin Center
Microsoft Support Matrix
Installation
Accessing Management Extension
FlashArray Connection
Management Extension Feature Overviews
Overview
Managing Hosts and Host Groups
Manage Initiators
Managing Protections Groups
Managing Volumes
Storage Management Initiative Specification - SMI-S
Managing SMI-S
Windows Server SMI-S Client
Installing on Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2, 2016 and 2019
Using the SMI-S Provider with Windows PowerShell
Technical References
System Center Operations Manager 2012 R2, 2016, and 2019
FlashArray System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) Management Pack
Requirements
Release Information
Installation and Uninstall
Additional Resources and Scripts
Rule Override and Port Monitoring Example
Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) Hardware Provider
Download
Compatibility
Releases
Microsoft SQL Server
Best Practices for SQL Server on FlashArray
Cloning SQL Server Databases Using FlashArray
Goals and Objectives
Audience
Everpure Introduction
Snapshot Architecture
Test Configuration
Implementation Steps
Snapshot Creation Example Overview
Snapshot Deletion Example Overview
Summary
Code Samples
Fast SQL Server Backup and Restore with FlashBlade SMB
SQL Server Best Practices with Everpure Cloud Dedicated on Azure
Azure Virtual Machine Recommended Best Practices for SQL Server with Everpure Cloud Dedicated
Azure Networking Recommended Best Practices
Azure VM Recommended Best Practices
SQL Server Recommended Best Practices
SQL Server High Availability with VMware and Everpure
SQL Server Workloads in Azure with Everpure Cloud Dedicated Reference Architecture
SQL Server Workloads in Azure with Everpure Cloud Dedicated Solution Overview
SQL Server Workloads in Azure with Everpure Cloud Dedicated Technology Overview
SQL Server Workloads in Azure with Everpure Cloud Dedicated Technical Solution Design
Everpure Cloud Dedicated Solutions for SQL Server
SQL Server Workloads in Azure with Everpure Cloud Dedicated Design Validation
SQL Server Workloads in Azure with Everpure Cloud Dedicated Deployment Guidance
SQL Server Workloads for Azure with Everpure Cloud Dedicated Conclusion
Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) Snapshots with Multiple FlashArrays
Requirements
Configuration
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3 - Start Basic IO Workload on SQL Server
Step 4 - Create Snapshots with Diskshadow
Step 4 -- Check FlashArray VSS Snapshots
Step 5 -- Create and Connect VSS Snapshots
Step 6 -- Configure Raw Device Maps (RDM) in vCenter
Step 7 -- Configure Connected Volumes in Windows Server 2012 R2
Step 8 -- Attach SQL Server Database
Step 9 -- Verify SQL Server Database
Conclusion
FlashArray ActiveCluster for Microsoft SQL Server
FlashArray ActiveCluster for Microsoft SQL Server Solution Overview
FlashArray ActiveCluster for Microsoft SQL Server Technology Overview
Configuring and Managing ActiveCluster
ActiveCluster for Non-disruptive Storage Migration
FlashArray ActiveCluster for Microsoft SQL Server Failure Scenarios
FlashArray ActiveCluster for Microsoft SQL Server Technology Conclusion
Using FlashArray Snapshots with Microsoft SQL Server
Using FlashArray Snapshots with Microsoft SQL Server Technology Overview
Traditional Backups Versus Crash-consistent and Application-consistent Snapshots
Using FlashArray Volume Snapshots with SQL Server
Performing Database Consistency Checks on Snapshots
Using FlashArray Snapshots with Microsoft SQL Server Conclusion
Using ActiveDR with Microsoft SQL Server
Using ActiveDR with Microsoft SQL Server Solution Overview
Using ActiveDR with Microsoft SQL Server Technology Overview
ActiveDR Disaster Recovery Strategies for SQL Server
Using ActiveDR with SQL Server
Conclusion
Microsoft Support Matrix
Microsoft Features and Roles
FlashArray Integrations
Everpure® FlashArray Management Extension for SQL Server Management Studio
Everpure® FlashArray Management Extension for Windows Admin Center
Everpure® FlashArray Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager
Everpure® PowerShell Software Development Kit
Everpure® Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) Hardware Provider
System Center Virtual Machine Manager
Multipath-IO and Storage Settings
Configuring Multipath-IO for Windows Server
Configuring Multipath-IO for Windows Server 2008/2008R2
DellEMC PowerPath / EMC Solutions Enabler / EMC Cluster Enabler Interfering with PURE LUNs
SITUATION 1: You Are Unable to Mount Pure LUNs To Hosts
SITUATION 2: You Can Successfuly Mount Pure LUNs To Hosts But Cannot Add To Cluster
Setting the MPIO Policy
iSCSI Best Practices for Windows Server and FlashArray
iSCSI and Windows Server
Disabling Delayed ACK and Nagle
Setting Power Plan to High Performance
Disable Network Adapter Power Management
Header and Data Digest Settings
Installing Multipath-IO
View Disk Properties and LUN Information in Windows
Using Disk Manager
Using Command Line & diskpart
Getting the LUN Serial Number
Windows Reporting Drives Offline After Reboots
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Solution
Workaround
Long-Term Fix
References
Working with Clustered Shared Volumes on a Windows Server Host
Steps to Create, Connect and Configure
FlashArray Management GUI
Windows Server Disk Management
Manage FlashArray Volume(s) from Windows Server Failover Cluster Manager
Windows PowerShell
Create FlashArray Volume(s)
Connect FlashArray Volume to Host (or Host Group)
Manage FlashArray Volume(s) from Windows Server Host
Create Mounts Point(s) (Optional)
Working with Volumes on a Windows Server Host
Steps to Create, Connect, and Configure
FlashArray Management GUI
Windows Server Disk Management
Windows PowerShell
Create FlashArray Volume(s)
Connect FlashArray Volume to Host (or Host Group)
Manage FlashArray Volume(s) from Windows Server Host
Create Mounts Point(s) (Optional)
Working with Volumes on Windows Server 2008 R2 and 2008 R2 (Service Pack 1) Host
Steps to Create, Connect and Configure
FlashArray Management GUI
Windows Server Disk Management
Windows PowerShell
Create FlashArray Volume(s)
Connect FlashArray Volume to Host (or Host Group)
Manage FlashArray Volume(s) from Windows Server Host
Create Mounts Point(s) (Optional)
PowerShell
How-To: Access and Update Help for the PowerShell SDK
Accessing Help
Updating Help
How-To: Cmdlet Pipelines and Filtering with the PowerShell SDK v2
Cmdlet Pipelines
What are pipelines?
Pipelines with the PowerShell SDK
The -Filter Parameter
How-To: Configuring Remote Assist and Phone Home Using the PowerShell SDK v2
Remote Assist
Phone Home
How-To: Connect to a FlashArray with the PowerShell SDK v1
New-PfaArray Cmdlet
Authentication
Session Inspection
Retrieving FlashArray Information
New-PfaCliCommand
How-To: Connect to a FlashArray with the PowerShell SDK v2
Connecting to an Array
Authentication Methods
Connect with Credentials
Connect with a username and password
Connect via OAuth2
Disconnecting from an Array
Retrieving FlashArray Information
The Invoke-Pfa2CliCommand
How-To: Detailed Logging of PowerShell in the SDK v2
How-To: Install the FlashArray PowerShell SDK using the Microsoft Installer Package - MSI
Installation
Verifying the Installation
Uninstalling the SDK
How-To: Installing the FlashArray PowerShell SDK using the PowerShell Gallery
SDK Version 2 Installation
SDK Version 1 Installation
How-To: Manage Hosts and Host Connections with SDK v1
How-To: Manage Hosts and Host Connections with SDK v2
How-To: Managing User API Tokens for the PowerShell SDK
How-To: Retrieve LUN Serial Numbers using PowerShell
How-To: Using the Invoke-Pfa2CliCommand Cmdlet in the SDK v2
How-To: Connect to a FlashArray with the PowerShell SDK v2
Connecting to an Array
Authentication Methods
Connect with Credentials
Connect with a username and password
Connect via OAuth2
Disconnecting from an Array
Retrieving FlashArray Information
The Invoke-Pfa2CliCommand
How-To: Working with Snapshots and the Powershell SDK v1
Creating Snapshots
Volume Snapshots
Protection Group Snapshots
How-To: Working with Volumes with the PowerShell SDK v1
Volume Snapshots
Creating a Single Volume
Creating Multiple Volumes
Connecting Volumes to Windows Hosts
Connecting Volumes to Host Groups
Creating a Volume from a Protection Group Snapshot
Renaming a Volume
Manage FlashArray Volume(s) from Windows Server Host
Create Mounts Point(s) (Optional)
Volume Space & I/O Metrics
Retrieving current Protection Group Snapshot information
Destroying, Eradicating, Restoring, and Moving Snapshots
Copying Snapshots to Volumes
Protection Group Snapshot Schedules
Offload Target Snapshots
Snapshot Statistics
How-To: Working with Snapshots and the Powershell SDK v2
Creating Snapshots
Destroying (Removing) and Eradicating Snapshots
Copying Snapshots to Volumes
Protection Group Snapshot Schedules
Snapshot Transfer Statistics
How-To: Working with Volumes with the PowerShell SDK v1
Volume Snapshots
Creating a Single Volume
Creating Multiple Volumes
Connecting Volumes to Windows Hosts
Connecting Volumes to Host Groups
Creating a Volume from a Protection Group Snapshot
Renaming a Volume
Manage FlashArray Volume(s) from Windows Server Host
Create Mounts Point(s) (Optional)
Volume Space & I/O Metrics
How-To: Working with Volumes and the PowerShell SDK v2
Creating a Single Volume
Creating Multiple Volumes
Renaming a Volume
Volume Snapshots
Volume Space and Metrics
KB: FlashArray API Response Metric Object Definitions
Applies to
Answer
Additional Information
KB: OAuth authentication throws error for Newtonsoft.dll when using Connect-Pfa2Array cmdlet
KB: PowerShell SDK cmdlets may not support -Filter parameter as documented
Everpure FlashArray PowerShell SDK
SDK version 1 Requirements
SDK version 2 Requirement
Installing the Modules
Release Information
PureStorage.FlashArray.Backup PowerShell Module
Installing the Backup Module
PowerShell 7.x
PowerShell 5.x
PowerShell Core
How It Works
VMware UUID
Create a Volume Set
Invoke a Snapshot
Mount a Snapshot
Dismount a Snapshot
List Available Drive Letters
List the Snapshot Job History
List the Snapshot Set Mount History
List Virtual Machine Persistent IDs
List the Volume Set(s)
List Protection Groups that Contain the Volumes in a Volume Set
Remove a Snapshot
Remove a Volume Set
Backup Module and SQL Server 2022's Transact-SQL Snapshot Backup Feature
Parameter Reference
Troubleshooting
Using the FlashArray PowerShell SDK v2 with macOS and Linux
Video: Interoperability with the FlashArray PowerShell SDK Version 1 and Version 2
Video: Introduction to the Everpure FlashArray PowerShell SDK Version 2
Windows PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE)
Windows PowerShell Version Support for the FlashArray SDK
Quick Setup Steps
Disk Policy Configuration (SAN Policy)
System Center Suite
System Center Virtual Machine Manager
Overview
Step-by-Step Configuration
Step 1 - Enabling SMI-S Service
Step 2 - Add New Storage Device in SCVMM
Step 3 - Adding a Storage Device
Step 4 - Select a Storage Provider Type
Step 5 - Configuring SMI-S Connectivity
Step 6 - Gathering Information
Step 7 - Assigning a Classification
Step 8 -- Review & Finish
Step 9 - Creating a Logical Unit (LUN)
Create CSV on Microsoft Failover Cluster
Step 1 - Open Properties on the Microsoft Failover Cluster and select Shared Volumes
Step 2- Click Add and then Create Logical Unit
Step 2a - If the Storage Pool you wish to create the CSV in is present, skip to Step 3.
Step 2b - Click Allocate Storage Pools.
Step 2c - Check All Hosts properties.
Step 3 - Create LUN
Step 4 - Add Cluster Shared Volume.
Step 5 - Optional - Check the audit log.
Step 6 - Optional - Check Failover Cluster Manager.
Step 7 - Optional - Check SCVMM.
System Center Supported Storage Arrays
FlashArray System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) Management Pack
Requirements
Release Information
Installation and Uninstall
Additional Resources and Scripts
Rule Override and Port Monitoring Example
SMI-S 1.0.0 Release Notes
SMI-S Provider Guide
System Center Orchestrator (SCO)
Configuration
Step 1 - Create New Runbook
Step 2 - Initialize Data
Step 3 - Configure Parameters
Step 4 - Create .Net Script Object
Step 5 - Configure the .Net Script Object
Step 6 - Add Customer PowerShell SDK Script
Step 7 - Connect Activities
Step 8 - Bind the Data
Step 9 - Runbook Debugging
Step 10 - Test Run
Technical Resources
Windows Server Updates
How-To: Gathering KB and Hotfix Information from Windows Server
LDAP Channel Binding and Signing with Everpure FlashArray
Supported Versions of Windows Server
VMware and Windows Server
Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS)
Troubleshooting the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS)
What is VSS?
What is a VSS Provider?
Release Information
Known Issues
Troubleshooting
Using VSS Snapshots with Multiple FlashArrays
Requirements
Configuration
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3 - Start Basic IO Workload on SQL Server
Step 4 - Create Snapshots with Diskshadow
Step 4 -- Check FlashArray VSS Snapshots
Step 5 -- Create and Connect VSS Snapshots
Step 6 -- Configure Raw Device Maps (RDM) in vCenter
Step 7 -- Configure Connected Volumes in Windows Server 2012 R2
Step 8 -- Attach SQL Server Database
Step 9 -- Verify SQL Server Database
Conclusion
Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS)
Inconsistent Backup
Crash-Consistent Backup
Application-Consistent Backup
Everpure VSS Hardware Provider Log Truncation
Technical References
Windows Server Features and Integrations
Offloaded Data Transfer (ODX)
Performance Examples
Microsoft References
Scale-Out File Services (SoFS)
Windows Server File Systems FAQ for FlashArray
Windows Space Reclamation
TRIM
Using TRIM and UNMAP
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 and 2008 R2 (Service Pack 1)
Microsoft Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2 and 2016

The following section provides Hardware and Windows Server Best Practices.

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