Clustring for high availablity

[atanoli]

My company is deploying a new home made software. And for that purpose we are going to buy 2 P4 systems.

We are planning to make win2k server cluster of these 2 PCS for high availability. I never did clustring before. Therefore I will appreicate if anyone can tell me about clustring and what should I carefull.

Any material or website?

Thanks in advance

 

[GiaBetiu]

I advice you to buy "Advanced Clustering Services" from Microsoft Press. Is the book used for the exam 70-223.

Since you are talking about a home made software, the question is: is that software cluster aware? potentail aware? ie: not all software will run on a clster.
Cluster aware? - the application is aware of the cluster, and is using a resource dll for communication with it
Cluster potential aware? - the application is having:
- using TCP/IP
- having a configurable path for data
- supports transactions

So, you will not need just to instal that cluster, you need to maintain it too. The book i consider it very good. Without it, there are too many issues that you must be awae: design considerations, hardware resources, policy, applications and services that cluster must suport/and their compatibility with cluster.. etc.

Gia Betiu
gia@almondeyes.net
Computer Eng. CNE 4, CNE 5, MCSE Win2K
new:

http://www.almondeyes.net

(just started)

 

[atanoli]

Your response has been highly apreciated, Thanks

I don't think so that our software develpment house is taking care of clustring. They are just developing a network aware database application.

Thanks again

 

[atanoli]

By the way. What is the difference between cluster aware and non cluster aware application?


Thanks in advance

 

[GiaBetiu]

A cluster aware application "knows" about cluster. So, is able to check the cluster status, resources, etc.
Some applications you can make them aware using a customized resource dll. This will play the role of an interface between cluster and the application, and will manage a bidirectional communication.

Applications that are not cluster aware, you can assign them to use some generic resource dlls, but they are generic, and will not answer always to the application requirements (like closing files, connections, database...)

Potential aware, you have my explaination in previous message.

Gia Betiu
gia@almondeyes.net
Computer Eng. CNE 4, CNE 5, MCSE Win2K
new:

http://www.almondeyes.net

(just started)