Verifying the Applications and Services are Running Correctly
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2
After the upgrade of the cluster host is complete, you need to verify that the applications and services are running correctly on the cluster host. You need to do this before starting the cluster service again in order to allow the cluster host to rejoin the cluster. The process presented here is specific to Network Load Balancing. This process might apply to the applications and services running on the cluster, however, the applications and services running on the cluster might have a different verification process. For more information about the verification process for specific applications and services running on the cluster, see "Additional Resources for Deploying Network Load Balancing" later in this chapter.
To verify that the applications and services are running correctly after you upgrade the cluster host, complete the following tasks:
Temporarily connect a client computer to the same switch used by the cluster.
From the client computer, verify that the applications respond to client requests as they did prior to the upgrade.
Verify that the identified security threats are mitigated.
The only action you need to take to mitigate Network Load Balancing–specific security threats is to ensure that unauthorized clients cannot remotely administer the cluster. Unless the network infrastructure, including firewalls or routers, changed significantly since the start of the upgrade, the Network Load Balancing security threats should still be mitigated.
However, you must mitigate security threats that are unique to the applications and services running on the cluster. For more information about mitigating security threats for specific applications and services running on the cluster, see "Additional Resources for Deploying Network Load Balancing" later in this chapter.
Enable monitoring and health checking, if they are not already enabled.
A Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) Management Pack exists for Network Load Balancing. When your organization uses MOM to monitor and manage the servers within your organization, include the MOM Management Pack for Network Load Balancing on the cluster hosts.
For more information about monitoring and health checking the applications and services running on the cluster, see "Additional Resources for Deploying Network Load Balancing" later in this chapter.
Disconnect the client computer from the switch.