Install issues with cluster-unaware application

  • Thread starter Thread starter clewis123
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clewis123

What is the best way to install a cluster un-aware application (exe's
and supporting DLLs) on a shared disk? Ideally, I would like to
install it once on the shared disk instead of manually installing on
the local drives of all nodes. This would gaurantee that all nodes
would be running the same version of the software. I know I can
replicate my application's registry entries. But, during the install
(Installshield), there are obviously 'behind the scenes' actions that
occur (registration of ActiveX controls etc.) that would not be
reflected on the other nodes. How do I overcome this type of issue?
All the documentation I have read do not answer this. Is that because
we should never install applications on a shared disk? If we don't
install applications on a shared disk, we can never guarantee that the
other nodes will be running the *exact* same version of software since
someone could forget to update one of the Nodes (human error).

Thanks!
- Chris Lance
 
I'm sure it's possible, but I'm trying to think back and I don't believe
I've ever installed an app so that its binaries were solely on a shared
cluster disk. I'm sure it's application-dependent, so whoever best
understands your app should be the person to ask. Your fear of versions
becomming out of sync is valid, but low, imo. There's just as much
chance of not installing a critical OS patch on both, making a
configuration change to only one node, etc. Clusters are implemented
for high availability and they're typically not cheap. A little added
caution and administrative effort is implied. Change management
processes help with this.
 
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