SAN and windows 2k3 Enterprise Edition

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Trend

Hello, I am going to setup a fail over cluster using 5 windows Enterprise
Edition (4 servers that need to be failed over.. can this be done with only
1 fail over server?assuming that I would only have scheduled down time?)

And also, do I have to have a SAN inorder to do this (either fibre or scsi)?

thanks! Lee
 
Trend,

Yes you can run a 5-node cluster with 4 Active, 1 Passive. Keep in mind that there is the possibility that more than one of your active nodes could fail at the same time, which means the passive node would pick up the load of two virtual servers instead of one.

And yes, you will need a SAN to implement this configuration. The cluster nodes rely on a shared-disk configuration, which you can get from shared-SCSI if it's only two nodes, but for 5 nodes you will need a SAN.

Sean Bogan
Microsoft Consultant
Collective Technologies
www.collectivetech.com
 
Awesome! Thanks so much for the info.

2 more questions:
Would you go with 2k3 enterprise over 2k adv server?

and when it says 2k3 enterprise 25 client licenses (( think I read this
right) I can legally load that and put it on all my 5 servers as long as I
don't have over 25 clients any of my servers combined?

We would like to go as least expensive as possible.. but want quality (yea..
yeah.. I know :) what would you recommend as far as controller cards and a
switch and storage box?

thanks again.. and also, any book you recommend on 2k3 enterprise clustering
(if you suggest going with that) or 2k adv server (if you suggest going with
that)

thanks-Lee



----- Original Message -----
From: "Sean Bogan" <[email protected]>
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.win2000.advanced_server
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2003 2:21 PM
Subject: RE: SAN and windows 2k3 Enterprise Edition

Trend,

Yes you can run a 5-node cluster with 4 Active, 1 Passive. Keep in mind
Click to expand...
that there is the possibility that more than one of your active nodes could
fail at the same time, which means the passive node would pick up the load
of two virtual servers instead of one.
And yes, you will need a SAN to implement this configuration. The cluster
Click to expand...
nodes rely on a shared-disk configuration, which you can get from
shared-SCSI if it's only two nodes, but for 5 nodes you will need a SAN.
 
Go with W2K3, it has more versatility than W2K and no drawbacks that would
favor W2K over it.

You need a server operating sytem license for each server, you can't share
one between multiple servers. This is different than the 25 CALs, which are
the client access licenses and can be shared amongst servers.

I'm not aware of any good books out there for clustering, the best resource
is Microsoft's white papers and tech notes.

As far as hardware recommendations, it would depend on what server platform
you're using. Are you buying Dell, Compaq, etc?

Sean Bogan
Microsoft Consultant
Collective Technologies
www.collectivetech.com
 
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