Every business enrolled in providing online services must guarantee a high server uptime, since the ability to satisfy customers’ demands determines client satisfaction. The smooth functioning of Web resources highly affects customer loyalty. Frequent downtimes will inevitably lead to loss of money, customers, and time, while clients will be dissatisfied. This is why investing in server clusters is a good idea to avoid a tarnished reputation and ensure a continuous flow of satisfied clients.
In the article, we’re going to answer what is a cluster server and consider all the related issues. Our experts will explain their specifics, types, and advantages. Readers will delve into the issue to explore it from all sides and get informed answers.
What is Server Clustering?
Clustering is a process, in which a group of servers works together under one IP address. It occurs to ensure a higher level of accessibility and better uptime, which increases customer satisfaction and loyalty. Clustered servers are frequently used to store and process files, databases, prints, or messages.
By distributing work between several servers, it becomes possible to avoid downtime and ensure uninterruptible functioning. If all information is stored on one server, it will lead to loss of valuable data in the case of a disruption. If a cluster of numerous servers is used, the second server can take tasks on it instead of the first one if it’s disrupted or broken. Thus, clusters ensure a united co-working, where one equipment piece is ready to be a safe pillow for another one in the case of system malfunction.
Components of Clustered Server Systems
The efficiency of clustered systems depends on the included components and their power characteristics. Thus, when attracting a network system, make sure to study its content and power capabilities. A standard cluster server chain consists of the following key components:
- Nodes. These are individual servers that serve as the core. They can be both physical and virtual. The required software and utilities are stored on them to ensure stable task completion and system management.
- Connection. The quality of connectivity between nodes determines the smoothness of operation. Thus, setting up a highly effective system implies the need to ensure smooth communication between all parts.
- Load balancers. It’s a key component of such chains since it’s responsible for receiving information, assessing it, and allocating it to free servers. It guarantees effective and balanced allocation of data within the system.
- Cluster managers. These tools are used to monitor the condition of units and ensure smooth functioning.
- Storage. This tool is responsible for the safe storage of data and guaranteeing access to critical information even if one of the nodes goes out of service.
Clustered server system deployment is a responsible task. All these components require specific attention. Equipment compatibility and power characteristics deserve due consideration. Due to the specifics of arrangements, cluster systems differ in modifications.
When setting up your clustered server system, it’s essential to use high-quality racks and cabinets to ensure the organization and safety of your equipment. We invite you to explore our catalog of server racks to find the perfect solutions for your needs.
Types of Server Clusters
In system administration, they distinguish between three types of clusters. The connection type is taken as a classifying parameter. Thus, the following options are available:
- A Single (or standard) Quorum Cluster. This option consists of several nodes. Each node has one or several cluster disk arrays. These nodes are interconnected with a bus, a single connection tool. Each disk array is owned and managed by one server.
- Majority Node Set Cluster. Unlike the previous option, this one features the belonging of configuration data to each node. Data is consistent for all nodes. Thus, this type of server cluster does not require a connecting bus for shared storage, since information is stored locally on each node. This feature gives more freedom in remote server architecture and ensures easy and smooth functioning of clusters. This solution is optimal for clusters with individual servers located in different geo regions.
- Single Node Cluster. As it’s clear from its name, this kind of cluster has only one node. In most cases, such modules are used for testing purposes. For instance, this solution is ideal for researching and designing cluster systems. However, their utilization is highly restricted due to limited failover.
When comparing all these models and selecting a suitable one, it’s important to consider the needs of your very business. For mid-size companies, a quorum cluster is the perfect solution. Still, it’s recommended to consult a web hosting provider or a local data center for an appropriate option.
How Does Server Clustering Work?
Now, let’s move on to the principle of operation. When considering cluster models, here, several servers are connected to the main network systems. Thus, when the first server fails in operation, the workload is redirected to the second one, and so on. This strategy allows for guaranteeing uninterruptible functioning and allocating the workload efficiently, as well as comes as a guarantee of disruption prevention. Consequently, smooth and stable performance is achieved.
Within a clustered environment, each server has its own set of hardware pieces and is responsible for their management. A copy of the operating system is also stored on the server to run other servers in the chain. This model of operation helps increase system consistency, reliability, and security of highly valuable, confidential data.
Benefits Of Server Clustering
If you think about the necessity to integrate server clusters into your business workflow, this solution has the following benefits:
- Greater resource availability. Hardware tends to fail in operation since it’s a mechanism. Thus, if only one server is used, disruptions lead to downtime and the loss of time, money, and loyal clients. The availability of several clustered servers allows for reallocating the workload if one server fails to operate. Such a chained model of data processing guarantees high efficiency and productivity, while the risk of an entire system failure is minimized. As a result, businesses save time, effort, and money, satisfying clients and increasing their loyalty and trust.
- Better scalability. As a company grows, an increased demand for computing capabilities appears. A business gains more customers, meaning that more information requires safe storage and effective processing. The range of provided services and covered regions may increase. Thus, with further expansion, organizations need more server space and more power for completing tasks. Server clusters provide excellent capabilities for scalability and allow for adjusting and configuring the system according to the business’s demands.
- Simpler management. If you have a small business, the difference in data management is not very noticeable to you. Yet, if you’re an owner of a mid- or large-scale enterprise, you need powerful systems to manage a rising amount of information and cope with a big list of routine tasks. In such cases, a mid-power system won’t be able to perform effectively. Clustered systems tackle business tasks more easily and guarantee high productivity without lagging, even in the case of information redundancy.
- Connectivity. The level and speed of connectivity highly depend on the network reliability. Smooth connectivity guarantees stable and uninterruptible communication and interaction between nodes, ensuring high-performance efficiency.
- Enhanced reliability. When connecting a clustered infrastructure, you can forget about problems with data storage, allocation, and security. Such systems are configured to work steadily and equipped with advanced data protection to prevent data theft or unauthorized access.
Clustered server systems resemble call centers, where many employees are connected to one phone number, and incoming calls are gradually distributed between free managers. In call centers, this practice contributes to a quick reaction and a prompt response to customers’ calls. By analogy, clustered servers help allocate business tasks, cope with them effectively, and ensure secure and reliable data storage and processing.
So, now you know what a cluster of servers is. Clustered network systems are indispensable solutions for large and mid-sized enterprises. Such solutions allow for customizing business loads due to improved flexibility, which contributes to balancing in the world of large data arrays.
However, before you make the final decision, evaluate the requirements of your organization. In some cases, there is no need for the integration of such solutions. Still, if you have a large company, you should consider all types of clustered solutions and find an appropriate one for your business’s demands. Feel free to consult specialists and ask for help to assess your business requirements and find a powerful solution that is capable of tackling the set tasks.