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8 Platform Guide
Attaching Your Cluster to a Shared Storage System in
a Direct-Attached Cluster Configuration
This section provides the rules and guidelines for attaching your cluster nodes to the shared storage
system using a direct connection (without Fibre Channel switches).
In a direct-attached configuration, both the cluster nodes are connected directly to the storage system.
Rules and Guidelines
The rules and guidelines described in Table 1-2 apply to direct-attached clusters.
Table 1-2. Direct-Attached Clusters Rules and Guidelines
Rule/Guideline Description
Operating system Each direct-attached cluster must run in one of the following:
• Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
• *Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
• Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise Edition
• *Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise x64 Edition
Windows Server 2003 service pack See "Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for supported
versions.
Primary storage Each Windows Server 2003 cluster can support up to 22 unique drive letters
for shared logical drives. Windows Server 2003 can support additional
physical drives through mount points.
Only one storage system can be directly attached to the cluster.
Fibre Channel HBA Dell 2342M, QLogic QME2462, and * Emulex LPe1105-M Fibre
Channel HBAs.
Fibre Channel module Two Fibre Channel pass-through modules.
Ethernet module Two Gigabit Ethernet pass-through modules.
Fibre Channel HBA drivers and
BIOS versions
See "Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for supported
versions.
Dell|EMC base software See "Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for supported
versions.
EMC PowerPath
®
versions See "Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for supported
versions.
* Supported only with the Dell|EMC CX-series storage systems.