Shared Cluster Server

[JabbaTheNut]

I have three servers: WEB1, SQL1 and an extra server. I was thinking of using the extra server as both a Web Server and a SQL Server so that I could cluster each of my existing WEB1 and SQL1 servers. A sketch of what I am referring to is as follows:

WEB1
|
| WEB1/COMBO1 Cluster
|
COMBO1 (This is my extra server used as both WEB and SQL)
|
| SQL1/COMBO1 Cluster
|
SQL1

I am assuming that I would need three NIC cards for this. One for the network connection, one for the heartbeat on the web server and one for the heartbeat on the SQL server. Does this sound right? Do I only need two NIC cards? Is what I am contemplating possible? Is it a mistake to do this?

I am trying to achieve an element of redundancy on a thin budget. Eventually, I intend to have four machines (two clustered or NLB Web Servers and two clustered SQL servers)

Game Over, Man!

 

[NortonES2]

Not sure you can do this, I thought that the servers in a cluster had to be identical in terms of OS and applications.

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If it doesn't leak oil it must be empty!!

 

[JabbaTheNut]

You are probably right. Maybe I can configure the server as both a Web Server and a SQL Server and simply use it as a warm standby server. In the event one of the other servers fails, I could fairly quickly bring the standby into service.

Game Over, Man!