Cluster Installation and Configuration Guide - Windows Server 2003

1 Introduction
This document describes how to install and configure clustered computing solutions using HP
Integrity servers running Microsoft Windows Server 2003.
The clustering improvements for Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-bit Edition (over Microsoft
Windows 2000) include the following:
Larger cluster sizes 64-bit Enterprise and Datacenter Editions now support up
to eight nodes.
Enhanced cluster installation wizard Built-in validation and verification function helps ensure
base components are ready to be clustered.
Installation Clustering software is automatically copied during
operating system installation.
Multi-node addition Multiple nodes can now be added in a single operation
instead of one by one.
Active Directory integration Tighter integration including a virtual computer object,
Kerberos authentication, and a default location for services
to publish service control points. Users can access the
virtual server just like any other Windows server.
Clustering Overview
A cluster is a group of individual servers, or nodes, configured to appear as a single, virtual
server to both users and applications. The nodes making up the cluster run a common set of
applications. They are physically connected by cables and programmatically connected by the
clustering software.
Clusters provide the following advantages over standalone servers:
High availability Clusters avoid single points of failure. Applications can be distributed
over more than one node, creating a high degree of parallelism and
failure recovery.
Manageability Clusters appear as a single system to end users, applications, and the
network, while providing a single point of control for administrators
both locally and remotely.
Scalability You can increase the cluster's computing power by adding more
processors or computers. Applications can also be scaled according
to need as your organization grows.
Because of the inherent redundancy of hardware and software, clusters protect businesses from
system downtime due to single points of failure, power outages, natural disasters, and even
during routine system maintenance or upgrades. In addition, clusters help businesses eliminate
penalties and other costs associated with not being able to meet Service Level Agreements.
A cluster is similar to a general distributed system, except that it provides the following additional
capabilities:
• Every node has full connectivity and communication with the other nodes in the cluster
through the following methods:
Hard disks on a shared bus One or more shared buses are used for storage. Each
shared bus attaches one or more disks that hold data
used to manage the cluster. Cluster service provides
a dual-access storage model whereby multiple systems
in the cluster can access the same storage.
Private network One or more private networks, or interconnects, carry
internal cluster communication only (heartbeats). At
least one private network is required.
Clustering Overview 11