Clustering

[Nowell]

Hello all!

Does anyone know what clustering is?
Whether it is better than log shipping?
And how difficult is it to set up?

Thanks

 

[JayKusch]

Another item to thow in the mix is Replication.

This link may give you a few initial ideas and specs on cluster and log shipping. You may also want to look in Books OnLine(BOL)...

http://www.sql-server-performance.com/q&a4.asp

Thanks

J. Kusch

 

[JayKusch]

Also ...

http://www.sql-server-performance.com/q&a108.asp

Thanks

J. Kusch

 

[SQLBill]

A short and simple answer...

Clustering is when you have two servers using a shared set of hard drives.

Clustering is used for fail-over, when the primary server fails, the secondary server automatically takes over. The end user shouldn't really see anything happen.

Log shipping, you are sending the data to another server (stand-by server). When your primary server fails, you have to manually direct the users to the stand-by server.

Clustering can be difficult, but so can log shipping and so can replication.

Clustering requires two servers and one shared hard drive array.

Log Shipping and Replication requires two complete servers, they don't share a hard drive array.

Clustering requires Microsoft Advanced Server and clustering software along with SQL Server Enterprise Edition and appropriate licenses.

Log shipping and Replication requires whatever MS operating system you want as long as it works with the version of SQL Server you want.

-SQLBill

 

[mrdenny]

One thing to note on the licenses for a Cluster. If you have an Active/Passive Cluster you don't need to license the passive server's SQL Server. You only need to purchase licenses for the active node(s) in the cluster.

With log shipping and replication you have to license both nodes.

Just my $.02

Denny

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)