Clustering over large distance

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mike
  • Start date Start date
M

Mike

Hi all,

We are looking for a solution for our problem:

2 Servers, one in Europe, the other in de United States.
Both servers have the same data, are running the same services (identical
HDD's).
If one server should go down, the other server should be taking over all the
running services (webserver, mailserver, ...)

We have read a lot about MSCS, but there they're using shared SCSI disks,
and that's impossible to use for us.
For linux we already found a solution, and it's up and running in test fase,
but we don't want it to run linux, but Windows 2000 Advanced Server or
Windows 2003 Server.

Could anyone point us towards the right direction?

I really wish to emphasize that the remaining server really has to take
over, so that the users cannot see the server is down, so not only the use
of the same data ...

TIA.

Best regards,

Mike
 
Note there is in MS land a distinction between a "Cluster
of servers" and a "Server Cluster using the Cluster
Service". The documentation is very muddled.

I use the load balancing service (cluster of servers)and
file replication to achive what I think you are trying to.

Note this way requires a hard down of the failing server
for fail over to happen. And I am sure this method needs
refinement beyond my basic config and skills.

WLBS and Network load balancing are key search words.
 
Mike said:
2 Servers, one in Europe, the other in de United States.
Both servers have the same data, are running the same services (identical
HDD's).
If one server should go down, the other server should be taking over all the
running services (webserver, mailserver, ...)
Click to expand...

They do something similar at one of the major oil companies with the
help of an F5 setup. My experience was with web servers, you may need
to double check on your mailserver and NLB (network load balancing)
compatibility.
 
They do something similar at one of the major oil companies with the
help of an F5 setup. My experience was with web servers, you may need
to double check on your mailserver and NLB (network load balancing)
compatibility.
Click to expand...

Dear Mike,

Based on your needs, the best software to use is GeoCluster by NSI
Software Inc, which you can replicate your local hard disks across
long distances. The URL for the product is
http://www.nsisoftware.com/pro/geocluster . You can download an
evaluation copy from their distributor, Sunbelt Software, at
http://www.sunbelt-software.com .

By the way, I am not from either of the companies and had tried out
the software before, and it is very good.

Best regards,
Stephen
 
Dear Mike,

Based on your needs, the best software to use is GeoCluster by NSI
Software Inc, which you can replicate your local hard disks across
long distances. The URL for the product is
http://www.nsisoftware.com/pro/geocluster . You can download an
evaluation copy from their distributor, Sunbelt Software, at
http://www.sunbelt-software.com .
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for your reply. I will look at it first thing in the morning
tomorrow.
By the way, I am not from either of the companies and had tried out
the software before, and it is very good.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't matter if you were. As long as it works it is fine by me! :-)
Best regards,
Stephen
Click to expand...

Regards, and thanks again,

Mike
 
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