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Parts of a fabric MetroCluster configuration

As you plan your MetroCluster configuration, you should understand the hardware components and how they interconnect.

Disaster Recovery (DR) groups

A fabric MetroCluster configuration consists of one or two DR groups, depending on the number of nodes in the MetroCluster configuration. Each DR group consists of four nodes.

The following illustration shows the organization of nodes in an eight-node MetroCluster configuration:



The following illustration shows the organization of nodes in a four-node MetroCluster configuration:



Key hardware elements

A MetroCluster configuration includes the following key hardware elements:

Eight-node fabric MetroCluster configuration

An eight-node configuration consists of two clusters, one at each geographically separated site. cluster_A is located at the first MetroCluster site. cluster_B is located at the second MetroCluster site. Each site has one SAS storage stack. Additional storage stacks are supported, but only one is shown at each site. The HA pairs are configured as switchless clusters, without cluster interconnect switches. A switched configuration is supported, but is not shown.

An eight-node configuration includes the following connections:

Four-node fabric MetroCluster configuration

The following illustration shows a simplified view of a four-node fabric MetroCluster configuration. For some connections, a single line represents multiple, redundant connections between the components. Data and management network connections are not shown.



The following illustration shows a more detailed view of the connectivity in a single MetroCluster cluster (both clusters have the same configuration):



Two-node fabric MetroCluster configuration

The following illustration shows a simplified view of a two-node fabric MetroCluster configuration. For some connections, a single line represents multiple, redundant connections between the components. Data and management network connections are not shown.



A two-node configuration consists of two clusters, one at each geographically separated site. cluster_A is located at the first MetroCluster site. cluster_B is located at the second MetroCluster site. Each site has one SAS storage stack. Additional storage stacks are supported, but only one is shown at each site.

Note: In a two-node configuration, the nodes are not configured as an HA pair.

The following illustration shows a more detailed view of the connectivity in a single MetroCluster cluster (both clusters have the same configuration):



A two-node configuration includes the following connections: