Windows Cluster Training with SQL and Exchange

Course Summary

Attendees of the class will typically be Systems Administrators, Systems Engineers, and Architects in organizations that:

· Support 10—5,000 servers or more

· Support 100—10,000 users or more

· Support critical applications

Prerequisites: Before attending this course, attendees should have a working knowledge of:

· Microsoft Windows Server 2003 networking

· Active Directory

· DNS and NetBIOS name resolution

· TCP/IP addressing and configuration

 

Goals

Upon completion of four days of intensive training in Microsoft clustering technologies, attendees will be able to:

· Identify the best clustering technology to use in various situations

· Identify the best practices for building clusters

· Install and administer clusters

· Troubleshoot cluster problems

· Prepare and perform disaster recovery processes

  

Course Outline

 

Module 0: Introduction to the Course

This module covers the flow of the course and the overall content.

·          Course Flow

·          Classroom Introduction

·          Lab 1: Classroom Setup

 

Module 1: Introduction to Clustering

This module covers the definitions of common clustering terms and basic clustering information.

·          Terminology

·          The Web Model

·          Basics of Clustering

·          Benefits

·          What is not Provided

·          Lab 2: Setup of Virtual Server 2005 Enterprise Edition R2 with SP1

 

Module 2: Types of Clustering

In this module, candidates will learn the differences between the types of clustering and when they are appropriate. Each type of cluster will be discussed, including its pros and cons and some standard recommendations for when they should be deployed.

·          Risk Audit

·          Capacity Planning

·          Microsoft Clustering Services (MSCS)

·          Network Load Balancing (NLB)

·          High Performance Computing

·          Component Load Balancing

·          MSCS Cluster Models

 

Module 3: Server Hardware and Storage

This module describes the storage that is used for Server Clustering (another term for MSCS), the benefits, and a bit about the security of the disks.

·          Server Hardware

·          SAN vs. NAS vs. iSCSI

·          Storage Terms

·          Arbitrated Loop vs. Switched Fabric

·          Hardware Components

·          Zoning and Masking

·          Lab 3: Create Virtual Server Nodes

 

Module 4: Operating System Configuration

This module describes the issues and concerns around the operating system installation as a foundation to the rest of the installation of clustering and clustered applications. Candidates will also learn how to configure a basic cluster.

·          Operating System Choices

·          Installing the Operating System

·          Patching

·          Antivirus

·          Network

·          Names

·          Accounts

·          Lab 4: Operating System Configuration and Clone Nodes

 

Module 5: Install and Configure Cluster Service

This module describes how to perform common cluster management tasks using a variety of tools. Candidates will also learn how to manage different resources in a clustered environment.

·          Installing Cluster Service

·          Using the Server Cluster Wizard

·          Using the Application Configuration Wizard

·          Using the Command Line

·          Server Cluster Footprint

·          Lab 5: Create ClusterX

·          Connecting with Cluster Administrator

·          Configuring Properties

·          Lab 6: Configure ClusterX

·          Changing the Networks

·          Configuring Groups

·          Configuring Resources

·          Lab 7: Test Cluster Failover

·          Lab 8: Configure Virtual Server for Remaining Labs

·          File and Print

·          Lab 9: File Server Clustering

·          Lab 10: Volume Shadow Copy Clustering

·          Lab 11: Print Server Clustering

·          Generic Resources

·          Lab 12: Generic Application Clustering

·          Lab 13: Generic Script Clustering (IIS)

·          Lab 14: Generic Service Clustering

·          Network Services

·          Lab 15: DHCP Clustering

·          Lab 16: WINS Clustering 

 

Module 6: Majority Node Set

This module describes the uses of Majority Node Set and how it can be used as part of a maintenance plan.

·          New Form of Quorum

·          Why MNS?

·          MNS Limitations

·          MNS Application Requirements

·          SMB Issues

·          MNS and Standard Quorum

·          Lab 17: Majority Node Set (MNS) using a File Share Witness (FSW)

 

Module 7: Maintenance and Troubleshooting

In this module, candidates will learn how to perform basic troubleshooting of a cluster.

·          Backup

·          Restoring a Failed Node

·          Restore Cluster Disk

·          Troubleshooting Tools

·          Logs

·          Network

·          Lab 18: Troubleshooting

 

Module 8: SQL Server 2000/2005 Clustering

This module describes instances and their relation to server clustering. Candidates will also learn how to install SQL Server 2000/2005 in a server cluster environment.

·          Multiple Instances

·          How SQL Server 2000 Clustering Works

·          Enhancements to SQL Server 2000 Failover

·          Requirements

·          Node Location

·          Installation

·          Memory

·          SQL Server 2005 Clustering

·          SQL Server 2005 Mirroring

·          Lab 19: SQL Server 2000 Clustering

·          Lab 20: SQL Server 2005 Clustering

 

Module 9: Exchange Server 2003/2007 Clustering

This module covers the issues with the number of virtual servers in relation to the number of nodes, requirements and prerequisites to installing Exchange Server 2003 in a server cluster and how the resources are monitored.

·          Exchange Server 2003 Clustering

·          Nodes (Active/Active vs. Active/Passive)

·          3-8 Nodes

·          Requirements

·          Disks

·          Installation

·          Exchange Resources

·          Exchange Cluster Limitations

·          Resource Checks

·          Memory

·          Standby Cluster

·          Lab 21: Exchange Server 2003 Clustering

·          Exchange Server 2007

·          Local Continuous Replication (LCR)

·         Single Copy Cluster (SCC)

·         Continuous Copy Replication (CCR)

·         Standby Continuous Replication (SCR)

·          Lab 22: Exchange Server 2007 Single Copy Clustering (SCC)

·          Lab 23: Exchange Server 2007 Continuous Copy Replication (CCR)

Module 10: Network Load Balancing

This module covers the difference between NLB and other competing technologies. Candidates will also learn about the different configuration options and how to install NLB.

·          Common Solutions

·          How NLB Works

·          NLB Features

·          Service Environment

·          Balancing

·          Cluster Convergence

·          Why?

·          Architecture

·          Topology

·          IP Address

·          Port Rules

·          Affinity

·          Driver Install

·          Parameters

·          TCP/IP Properties

·          Management

·          Lab 24: Network Load Balancing

 

Module 11: Windows Server 2008 Failover Clustering

This module covers the new features of Longhorn Server Failover Clustering. Candidates will learn about the new features and how they can best be utilized to improve upon current server clustering configurations.

·          Hardware Requirements

·          New Quorum Model

·          Storage Changes

·          Networking Changes

·          Configuring Failover Clustering

·          Validate

·          Configuring Applications

·          Other Important Changes