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Cluster server on different versions of windows server
- Thread starter Mwinn
- Start date
I believe it is technically possible but it is a really bad idea - you are opening the door to loads of potential problems with a configuration like that.
All servers in a cluster should be as identical as possible to minimise the potential for introducing issues. I would always spend the extra time, money and effort to get 2 essentially identical machines with as close to identical OS builds as possible.
All servers in a cluster should be as identical as possible to minimise the potential for introducing issues. I would always spend the extra time, money and effort to get 2 essentially identical machines with as close to identical OS builds as possible.
- Thread starter
- #3
OK So I was able to order 2 copies of Windows 2003 R2 Enterprise, but 1 will be used to upgrade my R2 standard to R2 Enterprise. And the other will be a new install on a new Server. Unfortunately I cannot find the same server Mother Board so the hardware will not be exactly the same. Does the hard drive setup need to be the same I.E. I am running RAID 51 on our current server (6 Disks), should I use the same setup or does it matter?
Thanks,
Michael D. Winn
Thanks,
Michael D. Winn
You only need to worry about the OS and drive array configuration matching, don't be too concerned about the mother boards, back planes, RAID cards being identical. As long as the 2 servers present their storage arrays in the same format and volume sizes you should be OK.
If it was me I would want the RAID arrays to be the same if only to simplify the setup - I cant see that mixing RAID 5+1 and 1+0 (to pick an example) is a great idea. That being said I have never setup a cluster with dissimilar RAID types so it could be possible, but if you have the option now to set it up effectively from scratch then use the opportunity to get them alligned now - it could save you headaches later on.
When designing things like this keep the configuration as simple as possible, as clever combinations of different technologies often end up costing more time and effort to support.
Good luck.
If it was me I would want the RAID arrays to be the same if only to simplify the setup - I cant see that mixing RAID 5+1 and 1+0 (to pick an example) is a great idea. That being said I have never setup a cluster with dissimilar RAID types so it could be possible, but if you have the option now to set it up effectively from scratch then use the opportunity to get them alligned now - it could save you headaches later on.
When designing things like this keep the configuration as simple as possible, as clever combinations of different technologies often end up costing more time and effort to support.
Good luck.
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