Generic Application resource type

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

Generic Application resource type

You use the Generic Application resource type to manage cluster-unaware applications.

When to use the Generic Application resource type

Not all applications will function effectively in a cluster. The minimum requirements for an cluster-unaware application are:

  • The application must be able to store its data in a configurable location.

  • The application must use TCP/IP to connect with clients.

  • Clients must reconnect in the event of intermittent network failure.

Installing a generic application

If your cluster-unaware application is to work during failover, you must make sure the application can run from all cluster nodes. There are two strategies for accomplishing this:

  1. Install the application onto a cluster disk. Because all nodes use the same drive letters for cluster disks, this solution guarantees that the application can be started from all nodes using the same command line.

  2. Install separate copies of the application on all cluster nodes. Make sure that the application is installed in a folder on each node that has the same drive letter and path as all other nodes. Although this solution uses more disk space, it is the only way you can install an application that will allow you to perform a rolling upgrade of that application.