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
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Cluster Kits
Compaq provides complete clustering solutions with hardware, tools, services, and support for the
Windows NT environment. To ensure proper configuration and implementation of the clustering
hardware and software infrastructure, Compaq provides a series of Cluster Kits, which include:
Storage array with RAID controllers
Ultra SCSI or Fibre Channel adapters
RAID software and firmware
Private network adapters between servers
Cables and terminators
ServerWORKS Manager software
Cluster documentation
Interconnects
Compaq provides a range of interconnect solutions to meet the needs of high availability clustering
requirements from entry level to enterprise-level environments. As clusters move from two-node high
availability to multi-node high performance scalable clusters, the need to support the infrastructure for
both storage and cluster node communication becomes critical. Clusters use two types of interconnects:
Storage Interconnects
For two-node clusters, Compaq provides ultra-SCSI interconnects. For more than two-node clusters,
SCSI Hub technology eliminates multi-node and bus length restrictions. For high performance multi-
node environments, Fibre Channel and fault tolerant solutions will be provided.
Cluster Interconnects
For two-node clusters, Ethernet provides sufficient bandwidth to support failover between servers. As
the number of servers in a cluster grows, (OPS, multi-node clustering) Compaq plans to offer support
for high performance, low latency interconnects.
Tools
Solution Sizer and ServerMaker tools provide sizing and configuration assistance for Windows NT
Clustering Solutions. These tools are provided to Compaqs Business Partners, sales people and systems
engineers.
Solution Sizer
Solution Sizer eliminates the guesswork involved with sizing servers and clusters by determining the key
server characteristics that will ensure a successful business solution. Through a wizardstyle interview
process, the user provides customer-specific information about their business needs and environment.
Solution Sizer acts as a personal characterization consultant, analyzing the data to determine key sizing
metrics for the specific application. Solution Sizer draws on vast characterization data compiled by
Compaqs performance labs, to recommend an appropriate server configuration.
Solution Sizer is capable of sizing server solutions for popular internet/intranet, mail and messaging, and
other business applications. The tool is updated frequently to add to the portfolio of application solutions