SQL Server Clustering and StarWind SAN

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SQL Server Clustering and StarWind SAN

Server clustering concept

Server cluster is a group of independent servers called nodes. They work as a single system in such a way that they ensure availability of the mission-critical data, applications and services. Cluster nodes constantly communicate over a private network referred to as a "heartbeat" network. They send each other periodical check commands called "lookalive" and "isalive". If one of the cluster’s nodes becomes unavailable due to the failure or maintenance, its processes and operations are immediately taken over by the other node. This is how the failover mechanism works. Its main goal as well as the goal of server clustering is to provide high availability of system, services and applications for their users.

Failover SQL Server cluster consists of the following components:

• One or more nodes of failover Windows Server cluster
• Cluster resource groups containing:
  • Network name for access to the failover cluster SQL Server
  • IP-address
  • Shared disks used for SQL Server Database and storage of journals
• Resource libraries managing transition to another SQL Server resource
• Register volumes with checkpoints that are automatically synchronized in all nodes of a failover cluster.

Why server clustering is actually used?

Server clustering is used to provide the following advantages:

• Cost-effectiveness. Intel-based servers offer high performance for reasonable prices.
• Fault-tolerance and reliability. Cluster doesn’t have single point of failure. Failover configuration guarantees that users will be able to access mission-critical services and applications in case of any server’s or server component’s failure at any time.
• Scalability. Modern clusters are built using the standard structure components thus ensuring that when there is a necessity of resource buildup, this process will be relatively easy and inexpensive.
• Easiness to manage and maintain.

SQL Server clusters are mostly used to ensure high availability of databases and eliminate downtime in the event of hardware or software failures. This approach to the system architecture is called High Availability Clustering. SQL server clustering guarantees availability of server resources shared between nodes (or servers) and resource groups hosted on a clustered node. That is here that Storage Area Network comes into play providing shared disk array for resources.

StarWind Enterprise HA for building your own Storage Area Network

With the StarWind solution you can turn Windows Sever 2003 and 2008 into an advanced shared storage for SQL Server. StarWind Enterprise Server is ideal software for creation of high availability database applications which is affordable for both SMBs and companies with limited budgets. This solution offers enterprise-class features for protection of your data including Mirroring and Replication, CDP & Snapshots, and Thin Provisioning. StarWind Enterprise Server is fully compatible with SQL Server Failover Clustering technology for creation of high availability environments.

StarWind Active-Active technology provides continuous availability of your data and eliminates any single point of failure. This technology uses active-active two-node storage cluster and distributes multiple copies of data across them in a real time. In the event of power, network, disk or even entire storage node failure, the second storage node remains online and will continue operating without any disruption, making data accessible at any time.

The StarWind solution

• Makes your shared storage reliable and easily scalable
• Ensures business continuity
• Offers transactional integrity for SQL Server
• Allows to create an SQL Server cluster for high availability
• Provides enterprise-class features
• Offers VSS Support

Download SQL Server Clustering Guide:

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