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Appendix D: Using the Validate a Configuration Wizard
Updated: October 24, 2008
Applies To: Windows Server 2008
This appendix of the Failover Cluster Design Guide provides a brief overview of the validation wizard that is part of failover clustering in Windows Server 2008. For more information about the cluster validation wizard, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=119949.
Before you create a failover cluster, we strongly recommend that you validate your configuration, that is, that you run all tests in the Validate a Configuration Wizard. By running the tests, you can confirm that your hardware and settings are compatible with failover clustering. You can also run the tests on a set of servers and storage devices after you have configured them as a failover cluster.
The tests in the validation wizard include specific simulations of cluster actions, and fall into the following categories:
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System Configuration tests. These tests analyze whether the selected servers meet specific requirements, for example, the requirement that the servers must run the same operating system version and software updates.
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Network tests. These tests analyze whether the planned cluster networks meet specific requirements, for example, requirements for network redundancy.
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Storage tests. These tests analyze whether the storage meets specific requirements, for example, whether the storage correctly supports the necessary SCSI commands, and handles simulated cluster actions correctly.
 Important |
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| Microsoft supports a failover cluster solution only if the complete configuration (servers, network, and storage) can pass all tests in the Validate a Configuration wizard. In addition, all hardware components in the solution must be marked as "Certified for Windows Server 2008." |
You can start the cluster validation wizard by opening the Failover Cluster Management snap-in, selecting Failover Cluster Management in the console tree and then, under Management, clicking Validate a Configuration. When you run the wizard, you can choose to run all tests or you can select specific tests that you want to run.
