httpd service not starting on Windows 2008 (64bit) through Microsoft Failover Cluster

[Raja Shekar CS <rshekar@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi !

I am facing an issue in bringing up httpd (2.2.10) configured in Microsoft Failover Cluster (MSCS) on Windows 2008 64 bit system.

This problem is seen only on Windows 2008 64bit system and through Microsoft Failover Cluster only. The service starts fine on the same system outside when started directly from Service Control Manager. 

Could you please let me know if you have seen similar issue, and know of any work around or solution ?

Error noticed:

When the service is started from Failover Cluster manager, ~20 events are seen in event viewer (basically printing the syntax help spread over many events):

Description:
The Apache service named  reported the following error:
>>> Usage: C:\\Program Files (x86)\\DFM\\bin\\httpd.exe [-D name] [-d directory] [-f file]     .
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Apache Service" />
     ...
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data>The Apache service named</Data>
    <Data>
    </Data>
    <Data>reported the following error:&gt;&gt;&gt;</Data>
    <Data>Usage: C:\\Program Files (x86)\\DFM\\bin\\httpd.exe [-D name] [-d directory] [-f file]</Data>
  </EventData>
</Event>

My guess is that httpd is not accepting "-k runservice" argument for some reason and printing the syntax help. 
I read on earlier mail on apache mail list that "-k runservice" is accepted by httpd only if it is started by service control manager as part of the kernel:

http://markmail.org/message/4irgpoeth7ccl3c5

I have checked with Microsoft Support, and they confirmed that failover cluster starts the service by using the service control manager and not directly. Also, since it works fine on Windows 2008 32bit system, I am really confused.

What works:

- starting the service directly from Service Control Manager (on the same system)
- starting httpd.exe as an application (not as a service) on the same system through Failover Cluster Manager
- starting the service from Failover Cluster Server or Service Control Manager on Windows 2008 32bit system, or Windows 2003

httpd version - 2.2.10
Windows Version - Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Service Pack 1 (Build 6001) x64 based
The issue was seen on multiple cluster setups and also on Windows 2008 64bit VMs.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
-- 
~ Raj ~