Cluster Shared Volumes

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2

The Cluster Shared Volumes feature allows a given volume to be accessed by all nodes of a failover cluster. Each node can open and manage files on the volume. Therefore, multiple clustered virtual machines can use volumes on the same LUN (disk) while still being able to fail over (or move from node to node) independently of one another.

Aspects

The following is a list of all aspects that are part of this managed entity:

Name Description

Cluster Shared Volume Backup

Because of the design of Cluster Shared Volumes, backup applications for these volumes must meet specific requirements for compatibility. The Cluster Shared Volumes feature allows volumes in cluster storage to be accessed by all nodes of a failover cluster. This makes it possible for virtual machines to use volumes on the same LUN (disk) while still being able to fail over (or move from node to node) independently of one another.

Cluster Shared Volume Functionality

In a failover cluster, virtual machines can use Cluster Shared Volumes that are on the same LUN (disk), while still being able to fail over (or move from node to node) independently of one another. Virtual machines can use a Cluster Shared Volume only when communication between the cluster nodes and the volume is functioning correctly, including network connectivity, access, drivers, and other factors.

Failover Clustering