!IMPORTANT: End of Support for 2008 R2
SIOS is ending support for Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise and DataCenter Editions on January 9, 2024.
SIOS DataKeeper Cluster Edition Version 8.9.0 is the last version that will support Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise and DataCenter Editions. It is currently only supported in Azure. Any subsequent releases will not support an install or upgrade for Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2.

!IMPORTANT: If using Windows 2008 R2
SIOS DataKeeper includes a kernel-mode driver (ExtMirr.sys) which is signed with a SHA-256 signature. If you are installing on a Windows 2008 R2 system that has not been updated with Microsoft hotfixes, it might not be able to boot with such a driver. Please refer to this bulletin from Microsoft for more information, in particular the first event listed which applies to Windows 2008 R2 SP1.

Existing SIOS customers wishing to upgrade from DataKeeper v8.6.2 or greater may do so without concern. Only customers upgrading from versions older than v8.6.2 need to ensure their OS supports SHA-265 driver signing prior to performing the upgrade.

Introduction

SIOS Datakeeper Cluster Edition is a highly optimized host-based replication solution which integrates seamlessly with Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, and Windows Server 2008 R2/2008 R2 SP1 Failover Clustering. Features of Windows Server Failover Clustering such as cross-subnet failover and tunable heartbeat parameters make it easy for administrators to deploy geographically dispersed clusters. SIOS DataKeeper provides the data replication mechanism which extends both versions of Windows Clustering, allowing administrators to take advantage of these advanced features to support non-shared disk high availability configurations.

Once SIOS DataKeeper Cluster Edition is installed, a new storage class resource type called DataKeeper Volume is available. This new SIOS DataKeeper Volume resource can be used in place of the traditional Physical Disk shared storage resource to enable geographically dispersed clusters, also known as multi-site clusters.

New Features of SIOS DataKeeper Cluster Edition v8

Bug Fixes

The following is a list of the latest bug fixes and enhancements.

Hot Fixes and Add-on Support Packages

The patches are located here.

Discontinued Features of DataKeeper Cluster Edition v8

DataKeeper Cluster Edition Requirements

*Important: When restoring a DataKeeper volume or recovering/restoring a new system(s) and its related DataKeeper Volumes from a backup or snapshot, it is required that a FULL RESYNC be forced via the DK GUI on all restored DataKeeper volumes. This must be done to ensure an identical replica of the data will reside on the Source(s) and Target(s).
The steps for forcing a FULL RESYNC are as follows:
• Launching the DataKeeper GUI
• Selecting the mirror(s)
• Choose Break Mirror
  ◦After the mirror(s) status reflects Broken, select Resync Mirror (this is a FULL Resync).

*Important: SIOS Technology Corp. recommends that users use Domain accounts that have local Admin privileges on all servers running DataKeeper. If you are using Local accounts, the username and passwords must match on all servers running DataKeeper. This recommendation is for all editions and all platforms.

DataKeeper System Requirements

*Note: Memory and CPU usage will increase based on the number, size, and write activity of the mirrors.

Local Security Policy Requirement

If your Windows servers are not in a domain and you are going to run the DataKeeper Service as the local system account, the Local Security policy setting “Network Access: Let Everyone permissions apply to anonymous users” must be enabled.

Known Issues

Windows 2016

• Occasional job creation failure

SCVMM 2012

If using DataKeeper with SCVMM 2012, you must use SCVMM 2012 SP1.

Windows Server 2012

For issues and enhancements related to Windows Server 2012, see the following topics:

WSFC 2012 Failover Cluster Manager UI Defect
Manual Creation of a Mirror in WSFC
WSFC 2012 Cluster Creation Default Setting Issue
WSFC 2012 File Shares Cannot be Created for File Server Resource
WSFC 2012 Server Manager — Incorrect Volume Display
WSFC 2012 Server Manager — DataKeeper “Disk” Not Shown as Clustered
Windows Server 2012 Default Information Missing During Mirror Creation
Windows Server 2012 DataKeeper MMC Snap-in Crash
Windows Server 2012 — Simultaneous Move of Multiple Clustered File Server Roles Can Result in DataKeeper Switchover Failures
Windows Server 2012 iSCSI Target Role Does Not Support Dynamic Disks
Using iSCSI Target with DataKeeper

Windows 2008 R2

SIOS DataKeeper includes a kernel-mode driver (ExtMirr.sys) which is signed with a SHA-256 signature. If you are installing on a Windows 2008 R2 system that has not been updated with Microsoft hotfixes, it might not be able to boot with such a driver. Please refer to this bulletin from Microsoft for more information, in particular the first event listed which applies to Windows 2008 R2 SP1.

If you are updating SIOS DataKeeper, and your previous version was version 8.6.2 or later, then your system does have SHA-256 driver support (the 8.6.2 driver is signed with SHA-256). In that case you can safely install this version of DataKeeper.

Also see the Known Issues and Workarounds and Restrictions sections of DataKeeper Cluster Edition Technical Documentation.

DataKeeper Cluster Edition Quick Start Guide

To get started using SIOS DataKeeper Cluster Edition, refer to the DataKeeper Cluster Edition Quick Start Guide.

Technical Support

As a SIOS Technology Corp. customer with a valid Support contract, you are entitled to access the SIOS Technology Corp. Support Self-Service Portal.

The SIOS Technology Corp. Support Self-Service Portal offers you the following capabilities:

• Search our Solution Knowledge Base to find solutions to problems and answers to questions

• Always on 24/7 service with the SIOS Technology Corp. Support team to:
  • Log a Case to report new incidents.
  • View Cases to see all of your open and closed incidents.
  • Review Top Solutions providing information on the most popular problem resolutions being viewed by our customers.

Contact SIOS Technology Corp. Support at support@us.sios.com to set up and activate your Self-Service Portal account.

Contacting Support during Business Hours:

Please call if you have a critical issue involving a down production system or application where your data cannot be accessed using the SIOS Technology products.

1-877-457-5113 (Toll Free)

1-803-808-4270 (International)

For any other issues or questions, please open a case by logging into the Self Service Portal or sending an email to support@us.sios.com.

For After Hours Support For Critical Issues:

Outside of business hours and on the weekends, emergency support with guaranteed two-hour response time 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year is included under Product Support. After hours Support is only available for critical issues involving a down production system or application where your data cannot be accessed using the SIOS Technology products. These issues are handled by contacting the numbers below. Please note that emails to support@us.sios.com are not monitored outside of business hours and on the weekends. Non-critical issues are handled during business hours.

1-877-457-5113 (Toll Free)

1-803-808-4270 (International)