Home > Ask the Storage Technology Experts > Questions & Answers > Is it possible to implement a cluster with NAS technology?
Ask The Storage Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

Is it possible to implement a cluster with NAS technology?

Greg Schulz EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Greg Schulz

Pose a Question
Other Storage Categories
Meet all Storage Experts
Become an Expert for this site
>
QUESTION POSED ON: 21 July 2004
We have a Netapp NAS, and would like to implement a Windows 2003 cluster. I would like to know if it's possible implement a cluster with a NAS, or this is just possible with a SAN?


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   



RELATED RESOURCES
2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary


Similar to standalone Windows servers, a cluster of Windows servers can access both NAS-based storage as well as SAN-based (block) storage. Note that with SAN, all the servers can access the shared storage, however they need special software like NAS file serving to share the data. Approach the clustering of Windows servers as one component and the shared storage as another. With that being said, you could create your Windows 2003 cluster and have the various nodes share the storage as well as share the data (e.g. file/data sharing). You may chose to place certain system files on a shared SAN-based disk devices for failover purposes or to support remote SAN-based booting of your servers. So first establish your Windows 2003 cluster with minimum amount of storage to support failover and application restart. Then you can establish your shared data environment using NAS if you chose to do so.




Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
Browse our Expert Advice



Search for Data Management Tools
TechTarget Storage Media
Storage Magazine View this month\\'s issue and subscribe today.
Storage Decisions Apply online for free conference admission.
SearchStorage.com
HomeNewsMagazineTopicsLearningMultimediaWhite PapersBlogsEventsAbout Us

About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2000 - 2009, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts