HCI - Node's Synchronize Data

Hi guys, I have multiple questions. Let's say I have Cluster-A with 3 nodes HCI installed, Node-A, Node-B and Node-C. Let's say Node-C is broken, have to be remove away from Cluster-A. By right before Node-C was broken, the data (multiple VM created) was synchronized in all nodes as it formed the virtual storage.

Then Node-C is fixed, it will later used for forming a new cluster with other new nodes. So here's my questions:

1. When forming the virtual storage on the new cluster, the previous data in the Node-C is still available?

2. After the Node-C was broken, the data was lost when removed from Cluster-A?

3.  The data before is erased when forming the new virtual storage in the new cluster?

Assuming the hdd/sdd was not removed from Node-C, only the node is broken(let's say the power output was burned out but the disks survived).

When forming a virtual storage on a new cluster, the previous data on Node-C should not be automatically available. The formation of a virtual storage typically involves creating a new storage pool and configuring the desired settings, which may include data replication or migration.

If you would like to access the previous data on Node-C, you will need to import or mount the existing storage devices or volumes on the new cluster. This process may vary depending on the specific storage solution or cluster management software you are using.

I recommend consulting the documentation or contacting the support team for your specific storage solution or cluster management software for detailed instructions on how to import or mount existing storage devices or volumes on the new cluster. They will be able to provide you with the most accurate and relevant information based on your setup.

I'm sorry to hear that Node-C was broken. If the data on Node-C was not replicated or backed up elsewhere, it is likely that the data on Node-C is lost when it is removed from Cluster-A. In a typical cluster configuration, when a node fails or is removed from the cluster, the cluster management software redistributes the data across the remaining nodes to ensure high availability and data redundancy.

However, if you had a backup of the data on Node-C prior to its failure, you may be able to restore the data onto a new node within Cluster-A or onto a different cluster. It is always recommended to regularly back up important data to mitigate the risk of such loss.

If you have any further questions or need assistance with data recovery, I recommend reaching out to your IT department or contacting the support team for your specific storage solution or cluster management software. They will be able to provide you with guidance and options specific to your setup.

When forming a new virtual storage in a new cluster, it depends on the specific configuration and settings you choose. If you are setting up a brand new virtual storage in a new cluster, it typically starts with an empty or clean slate. This means that any existing data from the previous cluster or storage configuration will not be automatically carried over to the new cluster.

However, it's important to note that this can vary depending on the technology or software you are using for virtual storage and cluster management. Some solutions may offer migration or replication features that allow you to transfer data from an old cluster to a new one. If you have such capabilities available, you may be able to retain or migrate the data from the previous cluster to the new virtual storage.

To ensure accuracy and best practices in your specific scenario, I recommend consulting the documentation or contacting the support team for the virtual storage or cluster management solution you are working with. They will be able to provide you with the most accurate information and guidance based on your specific setup and requirements.

In a hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) environment like the one you described, the availability and data handling can vary depending on the specific HCI software and configuration. However, I can provide some general insights:

• Data Availability in New Cluster (Node-C):

  
  

  
  
  
  When you form a new cluster with Node-C and other new nodes, the previous data that was synchronized on Node-C should still be available on the local storage devices (HDDs/SSDs) of Node-C, assuming those storage devices were not physically removed or wiped.
  However, whether that data can be seamlessly integrated into the new cluster's virtual storage depends on the HCI software and configuration. You may need to import or attach the existing storage volumes or virtual machines to the new cluster. Consult the documentation and procedures of your specific HCI solution for guidance on data migration and integration.
  
  
• Data on Node-C When Removed from Cluster-A:

  
  

  
  
  
  When Node-C is removed from Cluster-A due to a hardware issue, the data on Node-C should still be intact on its local storage devices, assuming those devices were not physically damaged or wiped during the repair process.
  
  
• Data Erasure When Forming New Virtual Storage:

  
  

  
  
  
  Forming a new virtual storage cluster in the new cluster involving Node-C should not automatically erase the data on Node-C's storage devices. However, the data on Node-C may not be automatically integrated into the new virtual storage cluster.
  You will likely need to perform specific actions to import or attach the existing data on Node-C to the new cluster's storage. This process typically involves configuring storage policies, creating virtual disks, and attaching existing data to virtual machines.

Reforming Virtual Storage on New Cluster: If the data on Node-C was properly synchronized in Cluster-A before it became broken, it can be used to reconstruct virtual storage in the new cluster, given the right configuration and handling. Proper replication and synchronization mechanisms ensure data availability across nodes, enabling seamless transition to the new setup.

Data Loss After Node-C Removal: If Node-C was removed correctly from Cluster-A, there should be no data loss. In a well-configured HCI system, the remaining nodes maintain data integrity and availability. Proper procedures during node removal safeguard against data loss, ensuring uninterrupted operation of virtual machines with synchronized data on surviving nodes.

Preservation During New Virtual Storage Formation: Data preservation during new cluster setup depends on cautious actions. If the setup process recognizes and incorporates existing disks without initializing them, previous data can be preserved. Careful consideration of system configuration, backups, and adherence to recommended procedures are vital to prevent unintended data erasure during cluster reformation.

To answer your questions:

    When forming the virtual storage on the new cluster, the previous data in the Node-C is still available?

Yes, the previous data in Node-C will still be available when forming the virtual storage on the new cluster, assuming the hard drives or solid state drives (SSDs) containing the data are not damaged.

When you remove a node from a HCI cluster, the data on that node is not deleted. Instead, the data is replicated to the remaining nodes in the cluster. This ensures that the data is still available even if a node fails.

When you add Node-C to a new cluster, the cluster will detect the existing data on the node and import it into the new virtual storage. This process is called data migration.

    After the Node-C was broken, the data was lost when removed from Cluster-A?

No, the data was not lost when Node-C was removed from Cluster-A. As mentioned above, the data on a node in a HCI cluster is replicated to the other nodes in the cluster. This means that the data is still available even if a node fails.

    The data before is erased when forming the new virtual storage in the new cluster?

No, the data before is not erased when forming the new virtual storage in the new cluster. The data migration process will import the existing data on Node-C into the new virtual storage.

Important: It is important to note that data migration is a complex process and should only be performed by qualified personnel. If you are not comfortable performing the data migration yourself, you should contact the vendor of your HCI software for assistance.

Additional information:

    If the hard drives or SSDs containing the data on Node-C are damaged, the data will be lost.
    If the data on Node-C is not critical, you can simply wipe the drives and start fresh when you add Node-C to the new cluster.
    If the data on Node-C is critical, you can use a data recovery service to try to recover the data.

1. When creating the virtual storage on the new cluster, the existing data on Node-C will be erased.


2. The data was lost when Node-C was removed from Cluster-A after it broke.


3. When establishing the new virtual storage on the new cluster, the previous data will be erased.

When forming a new virtual storage in a new cluster, it depends on the specific configuration and settings you choose. If you are setting up a brand new virtual storage in a new cluster, it typically starts with an empty or clean slate. This means that any existing data from the previous cluster or storage configuration will not be automatically carried over to the new cluster.

If the data on Node-C was accurately synchronized within Cluster-A before any issues arose, it can be employed to rebuild virtual storage in the fresh cluster with the correct setup and management. Effective replication and synchronization procedures guarantee data accessibility across nodes, facilitating a smooth shift to the new arrangement.