Maximise performance with SQL server clustering
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Looking for reliability, security and high availability?
Look no further than UKFast, we help to boost your SQL server uptime by clustering SQL servers.
Clustering in SQL Server 2000 or SQL Server 2005 is when two or more servers (also known as nodes) are configured to operate as a single virtual SQL Server to support database transactions.
Should one SQL server fail in the cluster, another clustered server will automatically take over, keeping downtime to a minimum* rather than hours or days as in normal circumstances, and you will notice little, if any differences during this time.
*We predetermine the time lag before the secondary servers comes up online. This ensures there are no false starts. A common reason behind false starts in this situation is the primary server rebooting after patches have been applied.
Clustering is only one part of a multi-part strategy required to ensure minimum downtime and 100% recoverability. To find out about server backup click the link.
Cluster your SQL servers and boost your SQL server uptime by calling today on 0800 4584545, or request a quote online.
Active-Passive clustering method
The main clustering method employed is referred to as Active-Passive. This is when one master (Active) server in the cluster processes all SQL transations and constantly replicates itself onto the secondary or slave server. If, at any point, the master server is removed from the cluster for any reason (hardware failure, routine maintenance etc.), the SQL service fails over to the secondary (slave) server.
You many be asking yourself what is the difference between clustering and load balancing?
Well, clustering is having several servers doing the same function so load can be shared. This addresses capacity issues. Clustering is usually carried out using database servers.
Load balancing is having the same application running on multiple servers. This benefits redundancy. Essentially load balancing can be a described as a type of cluster. Load balancing is usually carried using other types of servers rather than database servers.
To set up clustering on your SQL servers simply call us now on 0800 4584545, and talk to an Account Manager, or request a quote online.
