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Mapping a network drive for the content
There are two ways to do this. The easiest way is to share a drive on the leading machine, and then allow the cluster nodes to access that drive and have it as a mapped drive. The alternative is to use a script or piece of software to manually copy the files between the machines as they are added.
Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages, but with the creation and widespread use of 10gig networking the former is the best solution.
To share a drive, right click on the drive and select properties
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Then click Sharing and then Advanced Sharing
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Then click the Share This Folder checkbox
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Click Add, and give the folder a name (we use Content)
Click Okay, and Apply.
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On the previous page, take note or copy the Network Path, you’ll need this for later. |
To map the drive on another machine
Ensure that the drive letter isn’t in use.
If the drive letter is in use, you’ll need to go to Disc Management and change the drive. Our machines always come shipped with their own D drive. but in this case we don’t need it and would prefer (for ease of use) that D is used for the network drive.
Within disc management, you can select the drive you don’t want to have the current assignment, right click and select change Change Drive Letter and Paths
Change it to something else, and then the assignment for the network drive will be free.
In an Explorer window, right click This PC and select Map Network Drive
Finally select the drive letter you’d like to use, and then copy in the Network Address from earlier
Selecting Finish will then create the drive and open it to reveal it’s contence.
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If there is any issues creating a networking drive (and there could be many) please consult google for answers. |
Setting the IP Address
Our preffered method for setting IP addresses is via reserved IP’s. In our case this is done on the Netgate Gateway. We prefer this method over using Static IP’s as it creates less long term headaches when components within the system need to be swapped out.
We like to keep each node of the cluster alligned with it’s number in the cluster. So in our case:
Our cluster leader, is known as Node_0. So it has an ip address of 192.168.1.50
Our first cluster work node, is known as Node_1. So has the IP address of 192.168.1.51
The process of reserving an IP Address will be different depending on where it’s done within your specific network archetecture. So it won’t be documented here. However, if someone else is going to reserve the IP addresses for you; the information they will ask for is:
The IP you’d like to give each machine
The mac address of each machine.
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It’s also useful to create a small table within your documentation with this information. |
Firewall permissions
Make sure all ethernet ports are set to Private via the network settings page.
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Also make sure that any applications that have been installed have their private firewall permission given.
Synchronising Displays
Testing
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