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
Compaq Clustering Solutions
Compaq Clustering Solutions for Windows NT maximize access to enterprise data by providing a means
by which users can continue working even in the event of a server failure. These high-availability
solutions allow a pair of DIGITAL Servers running Windows NT to be managed and accessed as a single
system and support both DIGITAL Clusters for Windows NT (DCNT) and Microsoft Cluster Server
(MSCS) as part of Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition. System-level high availability is
assured through dual active servers, shared SCSI, optional redundant power supplies and a redundant
interconnect between the nodes. The addition of subsystem RAID Array assures high availability of shared
data.
Clustering
The cost of downtime has been reported to be anywhere from $1,400/minute to $130,000/minute,
depending on your particular business. The need to keep your systems up and running in this high
technology era is critical to save not only thousands and sometimes millions of dollars, but to maintain
user productivity and customer satisfaction as well.
With the introduction of Windows NT Server Enterprise Edition, Microsoft has brought clustering
capabilities to the mainstream. Clustering provides high availability for server-based applications and file
shares by loosely coupling two active servers with a shared disk subsystem. When one server goes down,
the clustering software migrates applications, associated disks and file shares, and client workload to the
other server without interruption at the client level. With a minimal hardware investment, any business
can protect their mission-critical data and applications to maintain optimal user productivity.
DCNT is a proven, mature product. It supports IP address failover, enabling automatic failover for
applications, such as Microsoft Internet Information Server, Netscape Enterprise Server, Lotus Notes and
Lotus Domino, Microsoft SQL Server 6.5, Oracle 7 Workgroup Server, and Oracle 7 Enterprise Server
7.3. A Migration Wizard utility provides easy migration from DCNT to MSCS.
Compaqs clustering technology provides industry leadership for application availability, scalability for
data storage and user support, cluster system management, high speed storage interconnects, high
performance TP, and Disaster Tolerant capabilities for Windows NT systems.
Why Compaq
DIGITAL, a pioneer in cluster technology, has been shipping cluster solutions since 1983, including
DCNT for a full 18 months before MSCS. With over 75,000 installed clusters and 500,000 clustered
nodes deployed across Windows NT, DIGITAL UNIX, and OpenVMS, including over 7,000 DCNT
licenses, DIGITAL, now Compaq, is unquestionably the market leader. In fact, Compaq has more
experience with clustering and more engineers trained to support Windows NT than any other vendor,
including Microsoft.
Hardware
Customers have the option of purchasing DIGITAL Servers for Windows NT (Intel or Alpha-based) for
their cluster. Providing customers with a totally scalable solution, the DIGITAL Server product line
extends the Intel-based server products for NT, offering quad processors for additional performance and
into the Alpha-based DIGITAL Server products. Compaq also offers external RAID Arrays -- all certified
to run with both DCNT and MSCS. Redundant controllers, power sources, and cooling fans help your
high-availability configuration to approach levels of fault-resilience.