ipcjdm
asked on
Windows 2000 Cluster Question
I am considering using a Windows 2000 Cluster (2 node, HP Netserver) to act as an application server for a number of smaller database apps. Most apps are not used by more than 20 people and are usually custom built Access DB back ends. There will be one app - Goldmine 4.0 - that will be used by about 75 users. Goldmine currently is running on a NetWare server and is not configure to use a seperate SQL Database, just flat files.
What I would like to know is what type of problem might I run into with this configuration.
What I would like to know is what type of problem might I run into with this configuration.
Have you talked with the tech support types at the company that makes GoldMine? I'd start there but from what you've said, I'm surprised that it works for 75 users as it is.
ASKER
Yes I have talked to Goldmine's support. They are not a huge amount of help. They see nothing that would present a problem however they do not appear to have any customers running this configuration currently.
Yes we currently do have a few problems running goldmine (mostly because it is on a NetWare Server)This is one of the reasons why I'm being asked to put this app on a Cluster. While I believe it is possible to run goldmine that way I don't know if it will help with its uptime.
Yes we currently do have a few problems running goldmine (mostly because it is on a NetWare Server)This is one of the reasons why I'm being asked to put this app on a Cluster. While I believe it is possible to run goldmine that way I don't know if it will help with its uptime.
In that case I'd suggest that you should look into an alternate supplier.
If that's not an option, then I'd say you need to prepare yourself for either:
1) Building a test setup with client computers and testing the heck out of this before you put it into production. But what do you do if it doesn't work? Go back to GoldMine for non-support?
2) Go forward blindly and hope and pray that all is well. But if it fails "who ya' gonna call?" GoldMine says they don't know! Then you're back to looking at another vendor.
If that's not an option, then I'd say you need to prepare yourself for either:
1) Building a test setup with client computers and testing the heck out of this before you put it into production. But what do you do if it doesn't work? Go back to GoldMine for non-support?
2) Go forward blindly and hope and pray that all is well. But if it fails "who ya' gonna call?" GoldMine says they don't know! Then you're back to looking at another vendor.
ASKER
Sales loves Goldmine, and wouldn't give it even over their cold dead bodies. So that is out. I currently have a test cluster to try out Goldmine, but I'm still hoping to find someone who has already tried this. I'm leary about being the first into uncharted territory.
>>I'm leary about being the first into uncharted territory.
Smart! Especially when company sales are at stake. I can assure you that YOU DO NOT want to be the broken link between sales and customers.
Smart! Especially when company sales are at stake. I can assure you that YOU DO NOT want to be the broken link between sales and customers.
GoldMine, being a flat database file, I suspect will encounter similar problems during a failover that access does. Basically, if the cluster fails over, then you could have record errors and such until you restart the app on the workstation.
-ipcjdm I've setup a few apps that are not specifically designed for HA Msclusters with advanced server... First let me say Ha Msclusters are freaken awsom...
-If goldmine runs as a service then installing it to the shared disk array & installing the "generic service' to the clustername & making it fail-over dependant on the cluster name, ip, & disk...It will fail-over & run from node 2... Users who are activley in goldmine at the time would probably have to reconnect to their session after 10-20 secs, but it will be alive again in that short a time..
-I would say if you have a choice between a standard server over a mscluster compatable machine... Always take the cluster !!!
-If goldmine runs as a service then installing it to the shared disk array & installing the "generic service' to the clustername & making it fail-over dependant on the cluster name, ip, & disk...It will fail-over & run from node 2... Users who are activley in goldmine at the time would probably have to reconnect to their session after 10-20 secs, but it will be alive again in that short a time..
-I would say if you have a choice between a standard server over a mscluster compatable machine... Always take the cluster !!!
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No comment has been added lately, so it's time to clean up this TA.
I'll leave a recommendation in the Cleanup topic area that this question is to be:
- PAQ'd and pts removed
Please leave any comments here within the next seven days.
==> PLEASE DO NOT ACCEPT THIS COMMENT AS AN ANSWER ! <==
PaSHa
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