Example: Preparing to Implement the Cluster

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

An organization is deploying a new Web application that will be accessed by a large volume of Internet users. Because of scaling and availability considerations, the organization will deploy the new, high-volume Web application on a Network Load Balancing cluster. Figure 9.4 illustrates the organization’s network environment prior to the implementation of the new cluster.

Figure 9.4   Network Environment Before Implementing New Cluster

In addition to deciding that the new Web farm will run on a Network Load Balancing cluster, the design team also made the following configuration decisions:

• No single router, switch, or Internet Information Services (IIS) Web farm server failure will prevent users from running the Web application.

• Web application will store data in a clustered SQL server running Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2000 on a server cluster.

• Web application executables Active Server Pages (ASP), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) pages, and other executable code will be stored on a file server running on a server cluster.

• Accounts used for authenticating Internet users will be stored in Active Directory® directory service.

As the first step in the organization’s deployment of the Web application, the IIS 6.0 Web farm, and Network Load Balancing, the organization must restructure the network infrastructure to support the new Web farm and cluster. Figure 9.5 illustrates the organization’s network environment after preparing for the implementation.

Figure 9.5   Network Environment After Preparing to Implement a New Cluster

Table 9.3 lists the deployment steps that were performed prior to the implementation of the new cluster and the reasons for performing those steps.

Table 9.3   Deployment Steps Prior to Implementation of the New Cluster