What is Cluster Service?
A Microsoft Windows NT service in Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS) that controls cluster activity, communication between cluster servers, and failover operations. (Windows Clustering in Windows 2000 also includes a Cluster service.)
The Cluster service controls all aspects of cluster operation and manages the MSCS configuration database. Each node in a cluster runs its own instance of the Cluster service.
The Cluster service handles the following functions:
- Configuration and management of clustering service objects (nodes, networks, resources, groups, and so on)
- Coordination between all instances of the service running on the cluster
- Failover operations
- Event notification
The Cluster service provides three benefits:
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High availability:
If one node of a cluster fails, the other node starts providing services, making mission-critical applications continually available to clients. This process is called failover.
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Scalability:
Using clustering technology, less powerful computer systems can be enhanced when grouped into clusters.
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Manageability:
Since both nodes of a cluster are managed as a single system, administrative tasks are made easier.
See also