If you follow this blog, you probably have noticed that it has gone dark for a good bit of time. I am currently trying to consolidate all of my blogging on http://infrastructurehelp.wordpress.com, and I encourage everyone to start following the new blog. I will leave this blog here as its content is used by many people, but it is unlikely that I will continue to add to this blog.
Just an FYI, there have been some changes to this document. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/254101/ In the past, there were issues around the use of NIC teaming for the heartbeat (private) network in clustering. In Windows Server 2008, there have been some changes. The update to KB 254101 states that NIC teaming is fully supported for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Failover Clustering. This is a nice change and has been requested by several people over the years. Personally, if I want to provide fault tolerance for the private network, I would just create multiple private networks, but that is … Continue reading Network Teaming for Failover Cluster Nodes
Last week, I was in Indianapolis delivering one of our ClusterHelp.com classes. When we did the Windows Server 2008 Failover Cluster lab, I configured a Quorum and two other disks for each student by using StarWind Software 5.0. We then set up the clusters for each student after configuring the iSCSI initiator in Windows Server 2008. The performance was fantastic. After class, I went back to my hotel room and continued to play with v 5.0. I am more than just a little impressed. From the StarWind Software website, I pulled the following bullets regarding the features of StarWind 5.0, … Continue reading More on StarWind Software Version 5.0
I strongly recommend a visit to StarWind’s website to read about the upcoming release of StarWind’s iSCSI target software software. I usually explain what it is to people by calling it a software SAN for Windows servers. Any Windows server can be made into a SAN by using StarWind’s software. However, version 5.0 adds automated failover between servers to provide fault tolerance for the storage. For more info, visit the StarWind site at http://www.starwindsoftware.com/starwind-v5-preview. I am really excited about this upcoming release and what it means to high availability.
If the answer is a loud and resounding , “YES!” then you are not alone. I hear from reliable sources that the new StarWind Software release will have this capability in it and will enable WAN separated clustering of file services as well as other services. How? I am glad you asked. From what I have seen, the software will perform the replication and control it and also provide a single user interface for iSCSI so that the cluster can point to a single iSCSI target source and if it fails, the replica will continue to run and allow access … Continue reading Want Replicated Storage Without Buying Multiple SANs?
I did a one day workshop on March 15 in Orlando at the Exchange Connections conference. As usual, it was a great deal of fun. However, for some reason, I never posted this blog entry until today. Anyways, I decided to put some of the key bits of information out here for others to enjoy. I hope it helps everyone. First off, we need to understand that putting up a CCR cluster requires several steps, which can be combined into four categories. Configure the Hardware Install and Configure the Operating System Install and Configure the Failover Cluster Feature … Continue reading Exchange Server 2007 CCR on Windows Server 2008 Failover Cluster
One of the major changes moving forward into Windows Server 2008 R2 is that some of the tools are being deprecated (I love that word) in favor of PowerShell. Some people just screamed, “Wooo hooo, fantastic!” while others screamed, “Great, now I have to learn another tool after investing all of those years in the tools of the past!” I, personally, take the first view point in that this is great news. It now forces me to start using PowerShell more than just in Exchange Server 2007. PowerShell will be the main tool in the future, so it is important … Continue reading PowerShell and Windows Server 2008 Failover Clusters
I was using the freebie that came with my WHS, which is provided by McAfee. So, me being a lazy person, I figured I would just purchase the product since the free trial ran out. Once on the console, it looked easy. I clicked the link to buy the product. Well, that is where it because a major pain. While McAfee was more than willing to take my money, they don’t seem very willing to tell you how to install it. No problem, I will suck it up and call the tech support team. Well, the tech support team that … Continue reading Antivirus for Windows Home Server
StarWind Software has been a wonderful partner to work with over the last few years. I first started working with the product when it was part of Rocket Division, but it was split off and became its own company several months ago. I recently did a web cast for StarWind Software, and it was a fun project. They also have had several others do web casts on cluster topics. I highly recommend that everyone visit their site to learn more about clustering and to see how their product works with clustering. I think you will be happy to see it. … Continue reading StarWind Software – Cluster Presentations
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