Dell AX4-5 - Manual (Page 6)

6
Introduction
Cluster Solution
Your cluster implements a minimum of two node to a maximum of either eight
nodes (for Windows Server 2003) or sixteen nodes (for Windows Server 2008)
clustering and provides the following features:
• 8-Gbps, 4-Gbps and 2-Gbps Fibre Channel technologies
• High availability of resources to network clients
• Redundant paths to the shared storage
• Failure recovery for applications and services
• Flexible maintenance capabilities, allowing you to repair, maintain, or
upgrade a node or storage system without taking the entire cluster offline
Implementing Fibre Channel technology in a cluster provides the following
advantages:
• Flexibility — Fibre Channel allows a distance of up to 10 km between
switches without degrading the signal.
• Availability — Fibre Channel components use redundant connections,
providing multiple data paths and greater availability for clients.
• Connectivity — Fibre Channel allows more device connections than
SCSI. Because Fibre Channel devices are hot-pluggable, you can add or
remove devices from the nodes without bringing down the cluster.
Cluster Hardware Requirements
Your cluster requires the following hardware components:
• Cluster nodes
• Cluster storage