We're prepping to dramatically increase our IT infrastructure here, and I need a little advice. We're changing our practice management software from something running on a relatively lightweight database to MS SQL Server. With that we're planning a big upgrade in computing and storage, plus we'd like to add failover clustering to help guarantee a certain level of service.
The current plan calls for 3 physical servers running WS2012R2 connected directly to a SAS array on an IBM DS3524. Physical server A will host the primary SQL Server database, plus a few light-usage VMs for testing and dev stuff. Physical server B will host images and files, no SQL Server, plus a bunch of RDP VMs. Physical server C will host a nightly copy of the primary database used for heavy reports, plus another couple of VMs for various network functions.
Ideally we would like to cluster the physical server A to a VM on physical server B. I'm unsure, though, if that can be done using the direct attach SAS drives. We do not want to set up an iSCSI SAN.
Two questions, then:
Is this type of failover setup even possible? If so, how would we set up a shared storage between a physical server and a VM on a second physical server using direct attached SAS?
If this isn't possible, would we be better off virtualizing the primary database and clustering the two VMs (best practices from our software vendor recommend virtualizing everything *except* the primary DB server), or setting up a physical failover from Server A to Server C? In the event of a failure, server C would then find itself hosting 2 databases, though we could restrict reporting during a failure to lighten load.
Thanks -
Mike