I am creating a 2 node cluster with both nodes running Windows 2003 Enterprise server. Both nodes will be connected to each other via a crossover cable and both will be attached to shared storage with a SCSI connection.

The shared storage will have SQL databases accessed by an IIS front end.

The problem is that the Develpers want access to both nodes so they can make configuration changes to IIS but one node will be passive so they can only make changes to the active node. Is there a way with clustering that i can put IIS on the shared storage so any changes made will be seen by both nodes therefore keeping the changes synchronised?

Anyone think of a better way to do this?

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The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.

Are the IIS pages static or are they ASP?  If they are static, I would put them on the Shared Storage & point both IIS sites to the same files.  If they are ASP, you can setup a cluster with IIS using a VBScript I know that I have seen around the Internet.  I will try to find that script while I wait for your response.

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Ryan Patel
Sr. Network Engineer|BS|MCSE|CCNA

The IIS pages are ASP. Upon thinking about this further will the Quorum which is also on shared storage not cater for any changes made on the active node so if it fails the passive node becomes active and reads the changes and updates itself using the Quorum? Apologies but my knowledge about clustering is very basic.

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The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.

I don't believe that you can use the Quorum Drive.  If one Cluster Fails, the Quorum Drive holds the key information for the other Clusters to take over.  You maybe able to Read/Write data to\from the Quorum Drive, but I am pretty sure this would not be a recommended practice.

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Ryan Patel
Sr. Network Engineer|BS|MCSE|CCNA

Apologies for any confusion I wasn't actually meaning writing any data to the quorum but was curious if any changes were made to IIS on Node A then it fails then Node B would be able to pick up the changes from the quorum? Does this happen in the cluster setup?

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The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.

Ok let me see if I can put my Cluster hat on for a little.

 When you cluster nodes together, the Data (in this case IIS and SQL) needs to housed on the shared media.  So you data can be accessed by both servers in the case of hardware failure.  The Quorum Drive is for the proccess that are happing at the time and the configuration of the Cluster.  

So if you setup a true Cluster then any changes that are made to Node A will be on Node B when a failover happens.  If you need help with your configuration let me know and I can help as much as possible.  I have setup several clusters IIS, SQL, Exchange and Print Servers. 

 KID

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The fluffy midgets in my head tell me to format everything and hope the end user knows how to backup their data.

cybersurfer:

Apologies for any confusion I wasn't actually meaning writing any data to the quorum but was curious if any changes were made to IIS on Node A then it fails then Node B would be able to pick up the changes from the quorum? Does this happen in the cluster setup?

That is, essentially the whole point of a cluster.

Killerbananas,

 Are you confirming that the quorum will replicate any changes made to IIS on Node A to Node B when/if Node A fails?

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The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.

KID,

I would really appreciate any help you can offer with regards to building a Windows 2003 IIS/SQL 2 node cluster. Both nodes connected with crossover cable and both attached to shared storage using a SCSI connection.

If you need any more info let me know.

Thanks

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The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.

cybersurfer:

Killerbananas,

 Are you confirming that the quorum will replicate any changes made to IIS on Node A to Node B when/if Node A fails?

On a normal cluster set up... yes, the way you have it setup, it *should* but dont rely on my word, it would be pretty easy to test.

Killerbananas,

Thanks for yoru feedback that is what i wanted to hear, I will proceed with the setup and let you know how i get on.

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The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.

Killerbananas,

I'm really confused now, i've just read an article that says i need to use iiscnfg.vbs to synchronise the metabases/IIS configuration between the 2 cluster nodes.

However what is the point in doing this if the Quorum will pick up any changes and inform the passive node when it becomes active?

Sorry if i am being a pest here! I am struggling to get my head round this.

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The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.

cybersurfer:

i need to use iiscnfg.vbs to synchronise the metabases/IIS configuration between the 2 cluster nodes.

I am not an expert on metabases or IIS config, but the only time I have heard of using that vb script is when you want to copy the configs to another server, and in my head, this is not needed in a cluster..... but hopefully someone can confirm, or correct me on that.... anyone ?

 

cybersurfer:

Sorry if i am being a pest here! I am struggling to get my head round this.

 Nah dude, you are fine, hell I am sure I bug the crap out of people sometimes with things I ask :)

KID,

Do you have any docs on how to setup an IIS/SQL 2 node cluster with SCSI attached storage and a crossover cable for the heartbeat?

Thanks in advance

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The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.

You ask and you shale receive.  If you need more just let me know.  These are the docs that I use when configuring Clusters.

Readme First

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/technologies/clustering/sercsfaq.mspx#E5YAE

Ready to Start Installing Cluster
http://www.sql-server-performance.com/articles/clustering/cluster_server_2003_p1.aspx
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/dba487bf-61b9-45af-b927-e2333ec810b61033.mspx?mfr=true

SQL Cluster
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms179530.aspx

IIS
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/887417
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=248025  "Works with 2003 also"

Here are some thing to think about
http://msmvps.com/blogs/clusterhelp/archive/2006/02/17/clustering-iis-and-sql-on-the-same-boxes.aspx

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The fluffy midgets in my head tell me to format everything and hope the end user knows how to backup their data.