Dell CX4 manual Cluster Solution, Cluster Hardware Requirements, Cluster nodes Cluster storage

Cluster Solution

Your cluster implements a minimum of two nodes to a maximum of either eight nodes (for Windows Server 2003) or sixteen nodes (for Windows Server

2008) and provides the following features:

•8-Gbps and 4-Gbps Fibre Channel technology

•High availability of resources to network clients

•Redundant paths to the shared storage

•Failure recovery for applications and services

•Flexible maintenance capabilities, allowing you to repair, maintain, or upgrade a node or storage system without taking the entire cluster offline

Implementing Fibre Channel technology in a cluster provides the following advantages:

•Flexibility — Fibre Channel allows a distance of up to 10 km between switches without degrading the signal.

•Availability — Fibre Channel components use redundant connections providing multiple data paths and greater availability for clients.

•Connectivity — Fibre Channel allows more device connections than Small Computer System Interface (SCSI). Because Fibre Channel devices are hot-pluggable, you can add or remove devices from the nodes without taking the entire cluster offline.

Cluster Hardware Requirements

Your cluster requires the following hardware components:

•Cluster nodes

•Cluster storage

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Introduction