Compaq DIGITAL Server Cluster Kits for Windows NT Network Card User Manual


 
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DIGITAL Server Cluster Kits for Windows NT Configuration Guide
DIGITAL Clusters for Windows NT
DIGITAL Clusters for Windows NT (DCNT) is a layered application on top of Windows NT. It is based
on open industry standards and commodity building blocks. Important components are dual active servers,
shared external SCSI storage and a GUI-based cluster configuration manager. DCNT has provided the
benefits of clustering on Windows NT since 1996.
Highlights
Offers a reliable and low-cost, high-availability solution for PC client/server LANs.
Minimizes user downtime by automatically and transparently failing over to a second server;
maximizing productivity by making both servers available for work all the time.
Ensures investment protection for existing client applications, which run without modification using
NTFS failover.
Allows the initiation of manual failover, so that preventive maintenance, user load balancing, or
system upgrades can be performed without disruption.
Offers a choice of servers and CPUs with select SCSI and network adapters for ease of integration and
configuration flexibility.
Unique failback capability enables a failover group to migrate back to the original server when the
server is brought back online.
Features
System-level high availability
System-level high availability is assured through dual active servers, shared storage, optional
redundant power supplies and a redundant interconnect between the nodes to ensure highly available
data paths.
Maximum access to enterprise data
For the user, the cluster is accessed like a single server.
Automatic failover of database and file services is provided without system administrator or end-
user/client intervention.
Greater manageability and flexibility
DCNT includes a GUI to specify which disks, shares, and applications need to fail over together.
Every DIGITAL Server comes bundled with ServerWORKS Manager software to ease the burden of
managing the LAN. ServerWORKSQuick Launch simplifies installation and setup.
Designed for the Windows NT environment
This system is designed to be consistent with standard client/server workloads and usage models to
provide maximum uptime for the most critical client/server applications.
Failover Manager
The Failover Manager monitors events that may call for a failover, determines which services should
be failed over and manages them until service is resumed.