The Best of Russ and Rod

But if you want to test failover clustering….

Standard SCSI based clustering will no longer work (yes I tested it, no go). 

Rocket Division StarWind will be the product you want to use to test Failover Clustering. http://www.rocketdivision.com/wind.html You will have to wait until the June 2007 time frame while they make it work with Beta 3.

FalconStor iSCSI Storage Server http://www.falconstor.com/en/solutions/?pg=Products&sb=iSCSI I am not sure when they will support it.

Microsoft bought StringBean (http://www.stringbeansoftware.com/downloads_update2_0.asp) which has a great WinTarget program. The program is now part of Windows Unified Data Storage Server and it called Microsoft iSCSI Software Target. That one works today, if you are lucky enough to have a copy.

Clusters are Highly Available and should never be considered Fault Tolerant.Highly Available = is when I come anytime my wife calls me.
Fault Tolerant = Marriage.You don’t want to be married to you SQL/Exchange Cluster You do want it around whenever you need it though. 

Active/Active = when your cluster is too busy for its own good.
Active/Passive = one worker, one manager, you decide which is which.
Node = Clustered computer, could also be the worker who sits in a cube, not to be confused with Dude.
Virtual Server = this is kind of like be on a telecom at work, only you are calling in from Hawaii and nobody knows.
Quorum = Cluster=Quorum, Quorum=Clustering.
Failover = the only time at work that you can fail and still be a hero.
Failback = great way to get fired, let your server failover without you controlling it (Don’t confuse with the above term).
Cluster = when it fails, also known as a Cluster Fork, only fork is spelled funny - u c what I mean?  

Yes, I know, this post should have been on April 1st