NAS Cluster Tips and FAQs

Quantum recommends configuring a NAS cluster on a small file system that can be used exclusively for NAS cluster synchronization. Using a small, dedicated file system increases stability drastically in high-usage NAS configurations.

See: NAS Cluster Configuration.

 

The following issues could cause the nascluster join command to fail.

You could be experiencing issues with the server timing out and not being able to process the command. If you receive the following error, rerun the command:

ERROR:: controller_commands.py:1225 Controller command 'nascluster_join' encountered error: NAS cluster operation failed: Node <ip_addr> was unable to process the nascluster_join command within 60 seconds (E-7014)

See NAS Cluster Configuration > Step 3: Join the Nodes to the NAS Cluster.

If you receive an [Error 1] Unknown host (E-7014) error, your NAS cluster may not be performing IP address-to-hostname resolution.

You must configure the system to resolve all IP addresses to hostnames, including the NAS cluster's VIP. Otherwise, the NAS nodes will not be able to recognize other nodes nor the VIP, and the NAS cluster cannot join.

Resolutions

Do one of the following for hostname resolution:

  • Add the host information for your VIPs and Nodes to your local DNS server.

  • If you do not have a DNS server or cannot add these address to your DNS you will need to manually add each IP to host mapping to the /etc/hosts for all the nodes in your cluster using a editing tool like vi.See this helpful site for basic vi commands.

Since the net hosts add command was removed from the Appliance Controller, if you need to add the IP addresses for new NAS cluster nodes or enter or change the VIP IP address in StorNext Connect:

  1. To add a node to the NAS cluster:
    1. Open StorNext Connect.
    2. From the left navigation/"hamburger" drop-down menu, click Management > NAS, to display the NAS overview page.
    3. See the Add a node section of the Configure a NAS Cluster page of the StorNext Connect documentation center for instructions on how to add a node to the cluster.
  2. To add or change the NAS VIP:
    1. Open StorNext Connect.
    2. From the left navigation/"hamburger" drop-down menu, click Management > NAS, to display the NAS overview page.
    3. Click the NAS cluster name hyperlink on the main page of the app.
    4. Click the Cluster tab.
    5. Enter a VIP address to use for the NAS VIP in the field called Controller VIP (optional).
    6. Click Apply.

 

See Why Did My Windows SMB Clients Lose Connections After a Fail-over? on the SMB Tips and FAQs page.