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Mismo Systems implemented a 3-node Azure Stack HCI cluster for one of the clients. The cluster was configured with a dual-link full mesh storage network interconnect (Switchless).

This blog provides an overview of the Azure Stack HCI design, high-level implementation steps, network connectivity of the servers, IP configurations and cluster configuration.

Azure Stack HCI Design

Below is the high-level detail of the above Design diagram:

• 03 Nos. DELL EMC AX-740dx servers, installed with Azure Stack HCI 21H2 Operating System.
• Azure Stack HCI cluster will be created using the three servers.
• The cluster will be created and managed using a Windows Admin Center instance.
• The cluster will be registered with Azure.
• Azure storage account-based cloud witness will be used for the cluster.

High-Level Configuration Steps

Below are the high-level steps performed to complete the cluster configuration:

S. No.	Task
1	Server Racking and Cabling
2	iDRAC Configuration on the servers
3	BIOS Configuration for QLogic NIC configuration
4	Initial network configuration and domain join the servers
5	Azure Stack HCI cluster configuration: – Prerequisite check, feature installation and updates installation – Network and Virtual Switch configuration – Cluster validation and creation – Storage validation and Enable Storage Space Direct
6	Post cluster creation configuration
7	Cloud Witness Quorum configuration
8	Azure Stack HCI registration to Azure
9	Storage volumes creation
10	Virtual Machines creation

Network Interfaces

There were 3 Azure Stack Certified servers – DELL EMC AX-740dx, installed with Azure Stack HCI 21H2 Operating System. The servers had the following network interfaces:

Each of the servers has the following network interfaces:

• 1 iDRAC network port
• 2 QLogic FastLinQ 41262 Dual Port 10/25GbE SFP28 Adapter, PCIe Low Profile
• 1 Intel X710 Dual Port 10GbE SFP+
• 1 i350 Dual Port 1GbE, rNDC

Network Interface Connectivity

The diagram below describes the connectivity of network interfaces and their configuration.

Below tables provides low-level detail of the Azure Stack HCI Implementation:

Network Interface | Purpose	Node | IP Address | vSwitch | Team Configuration
Azure Stack HCI – Network Configuration
iDRAC | IP Addresses	IDRACNODE1 | 172.16.1.5 IDRACNODE2 | 172.16.1.6 IDRACNODE3 | 172.16.1.7
i350 Dual Port 1GbE, rNDC | Management Network	NODE1 | 172.16.1.60/24 | MgmtSwitch | SET Team <NIC 1 and NIC 2> NODE2 | 172.16.1.61/24 | MgmtSwitch | SET Team <NIC 1 and NIC 2> NODE3 | 172.16.1.62/24 | MgmtSwitch | SET Team <NIC 1 and NIC 2> Gateway – 172.16.1.1 Subnet – 255.255.255.0
Intel X710 Dual Port 10GbE SFP | VM Network	NODE1 – 10.170.3.111 | VMNetworkSwitch | SET Team <NIC 3 and NIC 4> NODE2 – 10.170.3.112 | VMNetworkSwitch | SET Team <NIC 3 and NIC 4> NODE3 – 10.170.3.113 | VMNetworkSwitch | SET Team <NIC 3 and NIC 4> Gateway: 10.170.3.1 Subnet – 255.255.255.0
QLogic FastLinQ 41262 Dual Port 10/25GbE SFP28 Adapter | Storage Network	NODE1 – NIC 5 | 192.168.12.1| Storage 1 <Node 1 – Node 2> NODE1 – NIC 6 | 192.168.13.1| Storage 2 <Node 1 – Node 3> NODE1 – NIC 7 | 192.168.21.2 | Storage 4 <Node 2 – Node 1> NODE1 – NIC 8 | 192.168.31.2 | Storage 5 <Node 3 – Node 1> NODE2 – NIC 5 | 192.168.12.2| Storage 1 <Node 1 – Node 2> NODE2 – NIC 6 | 192.168.23.1| Storage 3 <Node 2 – Node 3> NODE2 – NIC 7 | 192.168.21.1| Storage 4 <Node 2 – Node 1> NODE2 – NIC 8 | 192.168.32.2| Storage 6 <Node 3 – Node 2>   NODE3 – NIC 5 | 192.168.13.2| Storage 2 <Node 1 – Node 3> NODE3 – NIC 6 | 192.168.23.2| Storage 3 <Node 2 – Node 3> NODE3 – NIC 7 | 192.168.31.1| Storage 5 <Node 3 – Node 1> NODE3 – NIC 8 | 192.168.32.1| Storage 6 <Node 3 – Node 2>   Subnet – 255.255.0.0

Azure Stack HCI Cluster Detail

Configuration Item	Detail
Azure Stack HCI – Initial Configuration
Azure Stack HCI OS	21H2
Servers Hostname	NODE1.domain.com NODE2.domain.com NODE3.domain.com
Time zone	Central time (US & Canada) UTC -6:00
Joined AD DS Domain	domain.com
Windows Admin Center	https://wac01.domain.com/
Azure Stack HCI – Cluster Configuration
Cluster Type	Standard
Cluster Name and IP	Cluster01 | 172.16.1.63
Cluster Quorum Detail	Cloud Witness | Storage Account – <storageaccountname>
Azure Stack HCI – Registration to Azure
Azure Subscription Name and ID	<Azure Subscription Name and ID>
Resource Group	<Resource Group Name>
Azure Region for registration	West Europe

Microsoft’s Azure Stack HCI is a hyper-converged infrastructure with virtualization, software-defined networking, and more. What separates it from the rest is it seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Azure. It’s never been easier to unify your on-premises infrastructure with the power of Azure.

We have listed below a few points for why you need this new & exciting hybrid solution for your business:-

Azure Hybrid by design

Extend your datacentre to the cloud and manage Azure Stack HCI hosts, virtual machines (VMs) and Azure resources side by side in the Azure portal. Make your infrastructure hybrid by seamlessly connecting it to Azure services such as Azure Monitor, Azure Backup, Azure Security Centre, Azure Site Recovery etc.

Enterprise-scale and great price-performance

Get infrastructure modernisation, consolidate virtualised workloads, and gain cloud efficiencies on-premises. Take advantage of software-defined compute, storage, and networking on a broad range of form factors and brands. With the new feature update, get powerful host protection with a Secured-core server, thin provisioning and intent-driven networking. Optimize your costs based on your needs with a flexible per-core subscription.

Familiar management and operations

Simplify your operations by using an easy-to-manage HCI solution that integrates with your environment and popular third-party solutions. Use Windows Admin Centre with a built-in deployment GUI to leverage your existing Windows Server and Hyper-V skills to build your hyper-converged infrastructure. Automate completely scriptable management tasks using the popular cross-platform Windows PowerShell framework.

Deployment flexibility

Select the deployment scenario that is best for your environment, such as an appliance-like experience, a validated node solution from one of more than 20 hardware partners or repurposed hardware. Choose optimized solutions that are available on a broad portfolio of x86 servers and hardware add-ons. Manage your solution using Azure or familiar management tools and choose from a wide selection of utility software options within the enhanced ISV partner ecosystem.

Contact us for more information!