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What is Failover Cluster Active/Standby Configuration?
Failover Cluster Active/Standby Configuration is a method used in high availability systems to ensure that critical applications or services continue running without interruption in the event of a hardware or software failure. This configuration involves a primary active node that handles the workload under normal conditions, while one or more standby nodes remain idle, ready to take over the workload in case the active node becomes unavailable.
Basic Concepts of High Availability Systems
High availability systems are designed to minimize downtime and ensure continuous operation of critical services or applications. They are commonly implemented in environments where system failure or interruption can result in significant financial losses, compromised data integrity, or customer dissatisfaction.
Failover clustering is a popular approach to achieve high availability. It involves grouping multiple servers, referred to as nodes, to form a cluster. These nodes work together to handle requests and distribute the workload among themselves. By using redundant hardware and employing failover mechanisms, a high level of availability can be achieved.
Failover refers to the process of transferring the workload from one node to another in the event of a failure or planned maintenance. In an Active/Standby configuration, one node actively serves the workload, while the standby node remains in a passive state, patiently waiting to take over.
The active node constantly monitors the health of the standby node to ensure that it is ready to assume the workload when needed. This monitoring includes checking the availability of the standby node, validating the integrity of shared resources, and ensuring that the standby node is capable of handling the workload.
When the active node experiences an issue such as hardware failure or becomes unreachable, a failover event occurs. During the failover event, the standby node takes control of the workload and becomes the new active node. This transition is seamless to the users and ensures the continuity of the services without any noticeable downtime.
Failover clustering also includes a failback feature, which determines what happens when the failed node becomes available again. In most configurations, the failed node rejoins the cluster as a standby node while the new active node continues serving the workload. This failback process can be automated or manually initiated, depending on the specific requirements of the system.
In summary, the Failover Cluster Active/Standby Configuration is an essential component of high availability systems. It ensures continuous operation of critical applications or services by seamlessly transferring the workload from an active node to a standby node in the event of a failure. This configuration provides reliability, protects against downtime, and contributes to the overall stability of the system.
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