Adaptec 2074700-R - ICP Vortex GDT8514RZ RAID Controller, Руководство пользователя

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Software Installation and User’s Guide 195
Optional Features
Optional Features A
Appendix A, Optional Features provides instructions for server clustering with Microsoft
and Novell operating systems and provides an overview of PCI Hot Plug. Refer to the
Hardware Guide of the specific ICP RAID controller to determine whether the optional
features described in this chapter are supported.
A.1 Server Clustering
In today's information technology world, high availability systems are gaining greater and
greater importance. The demands on these systems are not only the continuous availability
of important data, for example, 365 days x 24 hours, but also efficient resource sharing of
expensive components. The secret behind
clustering is the intelligent combination of
many computer systems to increase the security and computing power of the whole
system. A cluster appears to the user as one single system with extraordinary
characteristics. Clustering software controls and manages the cluster and its members.
There are several strategies when designing clustering systems. In the first model, the
members (also called nodes) are connected to each other through a LAN. In another
model, the nodes share an I/O bus. Host-based RAID controllers are ideally suited for
cluster systems designed to avoid
single points of failure (the components that cause a
system failure when they fail). The choice of host-based RAID controllers for the nodes of
a cluster system implements the appropriate redundancy and security in the mass storage
part of the system. In contrast, external RAID controllers carry the risk of becoming single
points of failure.
Successful installation of a clustering system requires experience installing Microsoft
Windows NT/2000 Server, Microsoft Cluster Server, Novell NetWare, and ICP RAID
controllers. Information about the operating system, the functioning of the cluster and
other system details may be found in their respective operating system manuals. For
information about the installation of the ICP RAID controller and the configuration of
disk arrays, refer to the RAID user documentation.
Clustering Guide Available
Clustering is applicable only for those RAID controllers that support this feature. See the
Hardware Guide of the controller to determine if clustering is supported.
The ICP RAID Controller Clustering Guide , or Clustering Guide , describes how to set up
clustering configurations using ICP RAID Controllers and ICP RAID controller software.
Information on Operating Systems, Cluster functionality, and other system details may be
found in their corresponding system manuals.