Introduction to Microsoft Windows NT Cluster Server: Programming and Administration

by Rajagopal; Raj

• ISBN13: 9780849318665
• ISBN10: 0849318661
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-12-15
• Publisher: CRC Press

Summary

Mastering cluster technology-the linking of servers-is becoming increasingly important for application and system programmers and network designers, administrators, and managers. With Microsoft's Windows NT cluster server being the first to tie cluster technology with a major operating system, it appears destined to take a leadership position in the industry. Introduction to Microsoft Windows NT Cluster Server provides all you need to know to develop your abilities for this essential technology. The author provides both introductory and advanced material focused on the three basic functions: fault tolerant computing (failover), load balancing, and centralized administration and monitoring. He guides the reader from the basics of cluster servers, through Microsoft's cluster server set-up, communication, programming, and administration.Written for professionals who are familiar with the Windows NT operating system and have programming experience, Introduction to Microsoft Windows NT Cluster Server contains information instrumental in helping you achieve zero downtime.

Table of Contents

Review of Clustering Technologies
Clustering Terminology	1	(1)
Availability	2	(1)
High Availability	2	(1)
Continuous Availability	2	(1)
Availability Measures	2	(1)
Fault Tolerance	3	(1)
Cluster Origins	3	(1)
Redundancy within a Computer System	4	(2)
Processor --- Multiprocessing	4	(1)
Asymmetric Multiprocessing	4	(1)
Symmetric Multiprocessing	5	(1)
Disks	5	(1)
Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID)	5	(1)
Buses	5	(1)
Dual Bus Architectures	6	(1)
Redundancy across Computer Systems	6	(1)
Clusters	6	(1)
Hot Standby and Active Backup	6	(1)
Shared Disk, Mirrored Disks, and Shared Nothing Models	7	(1)
Clustering Solutions Available	7	(2)
Benefits of Clusters
Scalability	9	(1)
Configuration Flexibility	10	(1)
Integrity	11	(1)
Availability	11	(2)
Availability Scenarios, Measures, and Tools	12	(1)
Manageability	13	(1)
Performance	13	(1)
Layered Applications	13	(1)
Common Uses of Microsoft Cluster Server	14	(1)
Microsoft Cluster Server Basics
Introduction	15	(1)
Cluster Server Concepts and Terminology	16	(13)
Cluster	16	(1)
Cluster Node	16	(2)
Cluster Resources	18	(1)
Cluster Resource States	18	(1)
Cluster Dependencies	19	(1)
Dependency Trees	20	(1)
Resource Types	20	(2)
Resource Properties	22	(1)
Group	23	(2)
Cluster Database	25	(1)
Internet Information Server Virtual Root	25	(1)
Interconnects	25	(1)
Failover	25	(1)
Failback	26	(1)
Virtual Server	26	(1)
Quorum	26	(1)
Quorum Resource	26	(1)
Clustering Models	27	(1)
Shared Device Model	27	(1)
Shared Nothing Model	28	(1)
Cluster Server Architecture	29	(18)
Applications in a Cluster Environment	31	(2)
Cluster Service	33	(1)
Cluster Service States	33	(1)
Database Manager	34	(1)
Node Manager	34	(1)
Quorum Resource Interaction	35	(1)
Event Processor	35	(1)
Event Processor Substates	35	(1)
Membership Manager	35	(1)
Membership Manager Substates	36	(1)
Global Update Manager	36	(1)
Resource/Failover Manager	36	(1)
Failover	37	(1)
Failback	37	(1)
Cluster Network Driver	37	(1)
Cluster Networks	37	(2)
Resource Monitor	39	(2)
Resource Monitors and Resource States	41	(1)
Offline	41	(1)
Starting	41	(1)
Online	41	(1)
Failed	41	(1)
Resource DLLs	42	(1)
Cluster Component Properties	42	(1)
Time Service	43	(1)
Cluster Security	43	(1)
Quorum Resource	43	(4)
Setting Up Microsoft Cluster Server
Plans for the Microsoft Cluster Server	47	(4)
Determining if Clustering Is Appropriate	47	(1)
Identifying the Clustering Appropriate Portions	48	(1)
Selecting the Clustering Configuration Type	48	(1)
Hot Spare Configuration	49	(1)
Static Load Balancing	49	(1)
Partial Cluster Configuration	49	(1)
Hybrid Configuration	50	(1)
Licensing Considerations	51	(1)
Per-Seat Licensing	51	(1)
Per-Server Licensing	51	(1)
Cluster Server Licensing	51	(1)
Cluster Setup Requirements	51	(7)
Administration Requirements	52	(1)
Domain Accounts	52	(1)
Group Failover Policy	52	(1)
Setting up Groups	53	(1)
List All Resources	53	(1)
List All Dependencies for Each Resource	53	(1)
Make Preliminary Grouping Decisions	53	(1)
Make Final Grouping Assignments	54	(1)
Capacity Planning	54	(1)
List All Your Applications	54	(1)
Sort the List of Applications	54	(1)
Hardware Requirements	54	(2)
Clusters and RAID	56	(1)
Software Requirements	57	(1)
Network Requirements	57	(1)
Installing MSCS on Computers with Logically Multihomed Adapters	58	(1)
Cluster Setup Steps	58	(7)
Presetup Checklist	58	(1)
Setting Up the Domain	59	(1)
Setting Up Shared Small Computer System Interface Buses	60	(2)
Installing the First Node	62	(1)
Connecting the Second Node to the First Node	63	(1)
Verifying Cluster Installation	64	(1)
Ongoing Cluster Administration	65	(1)
Uninstalling a Cluster Setup	65	(1)
Installing Cluster Administrator Only	65	(1)
Setup Considerations	66	(1)
Failover and Failback
Resource/Failover Manager	67	(1)
Failover	68	(4)
Failover Process Overview	68	(1)
Failover Process Flow Diagram	68	(1)
Failover from the Server Perspective	68	(2)
Pushing a Group	70	(1)
Failover from the Client Perspective	70	(1)
Other Failover Considerations	70	(1)
Failover Times	71	(1)
Type of Resource	71	(1)
Resource Properties	72	(1)
Group Properties	72	(1)
Resource Dependencies	72	(1)
Other Factors	72	(1)
Failback	72	(2)
Failback Process Overview	72	(1)
Failover Process Flow Diagram	72	(1)
Failback from the Server Perspective	72	(2)
Pulling a Group	74	(1)
Conclusion	74	(1)
Microsoft Cluster Server Communications
Introduction	75	(1)
MSCS Communication Basics	75	(1)
Protocols	75	(1)
Name Resolution	75	(1)
Node-to-Node Communication	76	(2)
Remote Procedure Calls	76	(1)
Cluster Heartbeats	77	(1)
Use of Heartbeats to Determine Node Failure	77	(1)
When the Second Node to Come Online Fails	77	(1)
When the First Node to Come Online Fails	77	(1)
Communication Using the Quorum Resource	77	(1)
Verifying Quorum Resource Access	78	(1)
Cluster-to-Client Communication	78	(1)
Cluster Service and Resources Communication	78	(1)
Cluster Service and Applications Communication	79	(1)
Virtual Interface Architecture Specification	79	(1)
Naming Scenarios	80	(1)
Scenario One	80	(1)
Scenario Two	81	(1)
Scenario Three	81	(1)
Troubleshooting Communication Problems	81	(4)
Cluster Programming Basics
Cluster Programming Concepts	85	(1)
Application Programming Interfaces	85	(6)
Cluster Application Programming Interfaces	86	(1)
Cluster Administrator Extension Application Programming Interfaces	86	(2)
Cluster Administration Extension Interfaces	88	(1)
Cluster Administrator Extension Registration Functions	88	(1)
Resource APIs	88	(1)
Entry Point Functions	89	(1)
Callback Functions	89	(2)
Resource Application Programming Interface Structures and Macros	91	(1)
Cluster Control Codes	91	(1)
Cluster Properties	91	(2)
Value Lists	93	(1)
Property Lists	93	(1)
Common Network, Network Interface, and Resource Properties	93	(1)
Common Resource Type, Group, and Node Properties	93	(1)
Private Resource Properties	93	(1)
Cluster Structures	93	(2)
Resource Dynamic Link Libraries	95	(2)
Cluster Utility Functions	97	(3)
Cluster Utility Function Types	97	(1)
Resource Utility Functions	98	(1)
Cluster Database Utility Functions	98	(1)
Property List Utility Functions	99	(1)
Property Table Utility Functions	99	(1)
Service Utility Functions	99	(1)
Miscellaneous Utility Functions	99	(1)
Thread Management Utility Functions	100	(3)
Programming with the Cluster Server Software Development Kit
Cluster Server Software Development Kit	103	(1)
Installing the Microsoft Cluster Server Software Development Kit	103	(2)
Overview of Using the Cluster Server Software Development Kit	105	(5)
Property Tables	107	(1)
Value Lists	107	(1)
Property Lists	108	(1)
Enumerating Cluster Objects	109	(1)
Choosing between Control Codes and Cluster Application Programming Interface Functions	109	(1)
Control Codes and Quorum Resources	110	(1)
Programming Resource Dynamic Link Libraries	110	(6)
Creating a Resource Dynamic Link Library	110	(1)
Guidelines for writing Resource Dynamic Link Libraries	111	(1)
Tools for writing Resource Dynamic Link Libraries	111	(1)
Customizing a Resource Dynamic Link Library	111	(1)
Entry Point Functions in the Resource DLL	112	(1)
Registering a Resource Dynamic Link Library	112	(1)
Debugging a Resource Dynamic Link Library	112	(3)
Guidelines for Writing Resource Dynamic Link Libraries	115	(1)
Programming Cluster Administrator Extension Dynamic Link Libraries	116	(1)
Creating a Cluster Administrator Extension Dynamic Link Library	116	(1)
Registering a Cluster Administrator Extension Dynamic Link Library	116	(1)
Debugging a Cluster Administrator Extension Dynamic Link Library	117	(1)
Programming Applications	117	(3)
Creating a Cluster-Aware Application	117	(1)
Creating a Cluster Management Application	118	(1)
Installing a Cluster-Aware Application	118	(1)
Installing the Program	119	(1)
Configuring the Cluster	119	(1)
Installing/Registering the Client-Side Administrator Extensions	120	(1)
Programming Custom Resource Types	120	(4)
Creating a Custom Resource Type	120	(1)
Using the Resource Type AppWizard	121	(1)
Building a Custom Resource Type	122	(1)
Cluster Automation Server with Visual Basic	122	(1)
Using the Cluster Database	123	(1)
Preparing a Build Environment	124	(3)
Microsoft Cluster Server Administration
Prerequisites for a Cluster Server Administrator	127	(1)
Installing the Cluster Administrator	127	(1)
Administration	128	(14)
Cluster Administration Utility	128	(1)
Regular Administrative Tasks	128	(1)
Connecting to a Cluster	129	(1)
Initiating a Resource Failure	129	(1)
Changes to Regular Administrative Tasks Due to Clustering	129	(1)
Changes to Administrative Steps Prior to Bringing Down a Server	130	(1)
Changes to Backup Procedures	130	(1)
Managing Servers as a Single Entity	130	(1)
Cluster Specific Administrative Tasks	130	(1)
Configuring Clusters	131	(1)
Configuring Cluster Group Settings	131	(1)
Adding, Deleting, and Renaming Groups	131	(1)
Changing the State of Groups	131	(1)
Transfering Ownership of Groups from Node to Node	132	(1)
Group Failover and Failback Properties	132	(1)
Configuring Common Resource Settings	133	(1)
Adding, Deleting, and Renaming Resources	134	(1)
Changing the State of Resources	134	(1)
Transfering Ownership of Resources from Group to Group	134	(1)
Resource Dependencies and Advanced Resource Settings	134	(1)
General Resources Properties	134	(1)
Resource Dependency Properties	135	(1)
Advanced Resource Properties	135	(2)
Configuring Resource-Specific Parameter Settings	137	(1)
File Share	137	(1)
IIS Virtual Root Settings	137	(1)
Network Name Settings	138	(1)
Physical Disk Settings	138	(1)
IP Address Settings	138	(1)
Configuring Other Cluster Settings	139	(1)
Quorum Resource Settings	140	(1)
Network Adapter Settings	140	(1)
Network Priority Settings	141	(1)
Network Usage Settings	141	(1)
Optimization	142	(1)
Optimization Based on Server Role	143	(1)
Optimizing Paging File Size and Location	143	(1)
Using Additional Windows NT Services on a Cluster Server	143	(1)
Tuning	143	(1)
Tuning the NetLogon Service	143	(1)
Tuning the Browser Service	144	(1)
Installing Windows NT Service Packs on Cluster Nodes	144	(1)
Administering Clusters from the Command Prompt	144	(6)
Command Syntax Conventions	145	(1)
Cluster Command	145	(1)
Cluster Node Command	146	(1)
Cluster Node Common Property Names	146	(1)
Cluster Node Private Property Names	147	(1)
Cluster Nodes Private Property Names	147	(1)
Cluster Group Command	148	(1)
Cluster Group Common Property Names	148	(1)
Cluster Group Private Property Names	148	(1)
Cluster Resource Command	148	(1)
Cluster Resource Common Property Names	149	(1)
Cluster Resource Private Property Names	149	(1)
Cluster ResourceType Command	149	(1)
Cluster ResourceType Common Proprty Names	150	(1)
Cluster ResourceType Private Property Names	150	(1)
Documentation for the Cluster Administrator	150	(3)
Microsoft Cluster Server-Based Clustering Products and Case Studies
Cluster Support in Microsoft Products	153	(1)
(Structured Query Language) Server	153	(1)
Microsoft Exchange	153	(1)
Cluster Support from Other Vendors	154	(2)
Co-Standby Server from Vinca	154	(1)
LifeKeeper for Windows NT	155	(1)
Compaq Cluster Solutions	155	(1)
Hewlett-Packard Cluster Support	155	(1)
Case Studies	156	(7)
BlueCross/BlueShield of Oregon	156	(1)
Books.com	157	(1)
Celanese	157	(1)
First Union Capital Markets Group	158	(1)
IBM World Registry Division	158	(1)
John C. Lincoln Hospital	159	(1)
Surplus Direct	160	(1)
Tulip Computers	160	(3)
Appendix A
Cluster API Reference	163	(1)
Introduction	163	(1)
Conventions Use	163	(1)
Function Categories	163	(8)
Network Interface Management Functions	171	(3)
Cluster Management Functions	174	(15)
Node Management Functions	189	(5)
Group Management Functions	194	(10)
Resource Management Functions	204	(12)
Cluster Database Management Functions	216	(15)
Appendix B
Resource API Reference	231	(1)
Conventions Used	231	(1)
Resource API Overview	231	(1)
Resource API Entry Point Functions	232	(10)
Resource API Callback Functions	242	(4)
Resource API Structures and Macros	246	(5)
Appendix C
Cluster Utility Functions	251	(30)
Glossary	281	(8)
Bibliography	289	(4)
Books	289	(1)
Papers	289	(1)
URLs	289	(1)
Microsoft Documentation	289	(1)
Hardware Compatibility List	290	(3)
Index	293