Clustering with different hardware

[CM786]

Hi guys,

 

This is a question on behalf of a friend of mine.

 

When setting up clustering do the servers need to be identical, in terms

of make, model etc. Currently we have one server which is a Dell Poweredge

which 5 years old and running fine. But if we bought a new server can we

cluster the two?

 

I'm sure the answer is YES as long the two servers have access to the same data/shares so that if one fails the other can take over immediately, but I don't want to give him false info.

 

He has a mixed environment with both Windows 2000 and 2003 Server (Enterprise I would assume if he wants clustering)

 

Thanks.

[Geoff]

For it to work properly, yes you really should have identical machines. If you have machines of different speeds/capabilities you will cause an inbalance in the cluster. This will lead to user percieving there to be a problem when there isn't. In extreme cases the data can become inconsistant between nodes in the cluster.

 

I'd suggest he retires his old dell or finds another use for it and start from scratch with some shiney new servers.

[CM786]

Thanks Geoff.

 

Working in primary schools clustering is something I will probably never encounter....

[Geoff]

rubbish. build a linux beowulf cluster out of 486's.

[CM786]

I await your thread in the How to forum then!!