Hyper-V Two-Node Cluster Setup Checklist

Prerequisites

Two servers with compatible hardware for Hyper-V
Windows Server 2019 or later installed on both nodes
Sufficient storage for virtual machines (local or shared)
Network switches configured for cluster communication

Step 1: Install Roles and Features

Install Hyper-V role on both nodes
Install Failover Clustering feature on both nodes
Install Multipath I/O feature if using shared storage

Step 2: Configure Networking

Configure at least two network adapters on each node
Set up management network
Set up live migration network
Configure Hyper-V virtual switch

Step 3: Configure Storage

Set up shared storage (iSCSI, Fibre Channel, or Storage Spaces Direct)
Configure MPIO if using iSCSI or Fibre Channel
Create and format volumes for VM storage

Step 4: Create the Failover Cluster

Run Cluster Validation Wizard
Create the cluster using Failover Cluster Manager
Configure cluster quorum settings
Add shared storage to the cluster

Step 5: Configure Hyper-V Settings

Configure Live Migration settings
Set up VM directories on shared storage
Configure Hyper-V Replica (if needed)

Step 6: Create and Configure Cluster Roles

Create Highly Available VM role
Configure VM monitoring
Set up preferred owners for VMs

Step 7: Testing and Verification

Test live migration between nodes
Simulate node failure and verify failover
Test cluster-aware updating

Additional Considerations

Implement backup solution for VMs and cluster configuration
Set up monitoring and alerting for cluster health
Document cluster configuration and failover procedures

Note: This checklist provides a general guideline for setting up a Hyper-V two-node cluster.
Specific steps may vary depending on your hardware, network environment, and specific requirements.
Always refer to Microsoft's official documentation for the most up-to-date and detailed instructions.

Related Resources

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