For companies interested in failsafe computing using Windows NT Server, Server Tools, the Windows NT tools company has announced the release of ClusterX, a one-to-many management tool for use in Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS) clustering environments.
ClusterX was designed to replace the existing MSCS Cluster Administrator to improve the scope of functionality options available to administrators, as well as to substantially increase the number of clusters that can be effectively managed from a single console.
It was designed specifically for the Windows NT Server environment, and is based upon such Microsoft standards as:
. COM (common object model) and DCOM (distributed COM)
. ActiveX scripting technology (Jscript and Vbscript)
. The Microsoft Management Console (MMC "snap-in")
. ActiveX Containers (ClusterX can be used with IE 4.01 or later)
ClusterX was designed to be non-blocking to allow for multiple tasks to be performed in parallel. It is also multi-threaded to allow multiple commands to be processed simultaneously, with prioritisation support of these commands.
It allows for the creation of a load balancing infrastructure across all cluster nodes. Administrators can now monitor workloads on each node on a real time basis. Information is displayed in terms of percentage utilisation of available resources (CPU, etc.), allowing administrator to move Failover Groups from over-worked servers to lesser used ones, while continuing to monitor them no matter where they ultimately reside.
ClusterX also enables the system administrator to backup the entire cluster configuration information. This data can then be used to restore the cluster in the event of a catastrophic failure (cluster-wide or on a single node). A knowledge-based rules system is available for administrators to setup and manage complex resources and applications, while the Dependency View lets administrators drag and drop resources from one group to another.
To ease the setup process, advisors and wizards are provided for the most popular cluster-aware applications and Windows NT services to allow for enhanced setup and configuration. These tools can configure MSCS as well as the application itself.
"All of these major functional areas provide enhancements over the MSCS Cluster Administrator," says Server Tools MD, Dave Terespolsky. "ClusterX delivers increased availability of corporate servers, while actively reducing the management costs."
The product has been designed to interoperate with other management systems and can be integrated into Unicenter TNG, HP Open View and Tivoli TME. It has advisors and wizards to support:
. SMB File Shares
. Print Spoolers
. Microsoft Exchange 5.5 EE
. Microsoft SQL Server 6.5/7.0 EE
. Microsoft Internet Information Server 3.0/4.0
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