Checklist for creating a cluster in Windows Server 2003

Since Cluster Service is installed by default in Windows Server 2003, creating a cluster does not require the installation media or a reboot.

Either the GUI-based Cluster Administrator or the command-line utility Cluster.exe can be used to create and manage clusters on local and remote nodes. Both tools can effectively manage a cluster, but Cluster.exe allows an administrator to create an unattended, scripted cluster installation. Cluster.exe provides too many arguments and switches, so if trying this option, you'll probably need to refer to Help and Support from the Start menu, and search for cluster.exe.

It's a good idea to have multiple network cards in each node so that one card can be dedicated to internal cluster communication (private network), while the other can be used only for client connectivity (public network) or for both public and private communication (mixed network). Cluster nodes equipped with only one network card must run t

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he card in Mixed Network mode.

If you discover shared storage during a cluster installation, Cluster Service will default to installing the quorum resource on the smallest basic partition on the device. If no shared storage is available, a local or an MNS quorum will be created.

Here's a checklist of the things you'll need to do to create a cluster in Windows Server 2003.

About the author: Serdar Yegulalp is editor of the Windows Insight, (formerly the Windows Power Users Newsletter), a blog site devoted to hints, tips, tricks and news for users and administrators of Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Vista. He has more than 12 years of Windows experience under his belt, and contributes regularly to SearchWinComputing.com and SearchSQLServer.com.

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