Windows Failover Clustering Design Handbook

By Stefanos Evangelou

Windows Failover Clustering (WFC) is one of the oldest technologies utilized by Windows Server for the high availability of systems and services, whether that be traditional on-premise IT infrastructures or hybrid and multi cloud infrastructures in Microsoft Azure. Failover clustering and other relevant Microsoft technologies such as Always On Availability Groups are in many cases the cornerstone of a resilient and solid infrastructure design. In various real life scenarios however, administrators come across incidents and issues in their Windows failover clustering infrastructure which have a significant impact on business operations and may incur catastrophic downtime for services offered to customers.

This handbook aims to consolidate all Microsoft and third party vendor best practices for Microsoft Windows Failover Clustering which can be applied in both host cluster and guest cluster scenarios. Building an efficient and error-free failover cluster encompasses concepts and design considerations from more than one areas, including the Windows Server operating system, Software Defined (SD) and Hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) concepts as well as storage and IP networking design principles. The book takes a pragmatic hands-on approach by presenting the theoretical foundations of the inner workings of a failover cluster architecture, discusses the most frequent failover clustering usage scenarios and concludes with practical applications and sample scripts for auditing and health checking an existing cluster as well as for building a new cluster in an automated and consistent way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stefanos Evangelou
• Release date: Jul 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005762483

Stefanos Evangelou

Cloud Computing School e-book library is a digital creation of Stefanos Evangelou. I have a genuine passion for learning and teaching. I am keen on creating high quality training content and on conveying digital skills knowledge to all audiences. I am a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), a CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) and an AWS Authorized Instructor (AAI, currently pursuing). I have a long background in cloud and systems engineering as well as IT consulting. My primary focus has been the Microsoft Cloud Platform. I have long been exposed to cloud projects with international clients in the United States and EMEA. My skills include in-depth technical consulting, large-scale system design, migration, deployment, cyber security, technical documentation and training. I have gained exposure to multicultural business environments and have attained a consulting-centric mentality with high quality communication, presentation and rapport skills. My experience in complex technical environments and architectures has equipped me with the ability to understand the big picture in balance with paying attention to detail. My proactiveness, loyalty and cooperative spirit have allowed me to play a key role in my areas of engagement.Stefanos writes on the following topics:CybersecurityArtificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine learning (ML)Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)Operating systemsVirtualization and containersIP NetworkingData EngineeringDevopsMicrosoft AzureAmazon Web Services (AWS)Google Cloud Platform (GCP)Microsoft 365Blockchain and Web3IT professional developmentCloud computing fundamentalsStefanos holds a MEng in Computer Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens and an MSc in Web Technology from the University of Southampton, UK. Stefanos is a Citrix Certified Expert in Virtualization (CCE-V) and brings long years of overall IT experience and several years of hands-on technical training experience as a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) and CompTIA CTT+ trainer, by delivering preparatory courses for Microsoft certifications.

Book preview

Windows Server Failover Clustering Design Handbook

A design guide for Windows administrators

Stefanos Evangelou

Cloud architect, trainer and author

Table of contents

Chapter ONE

Chapter TWO

Chapter THREE

Chapter FOUR

Chapter FIVE

Book Quiz

Appendix A

Book description

Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC) is one of the oldest technologies utilized by Windows Server for the high availability of systems and services, whether that be traditional on-premises IT infrastructures or hybrid and multi cloud infrastructures in Microsoft Azure and Azure Stack. Failover clustering and other relevant Microsoft technologies such as Always-On Availability Groups are in many cases the cornerstone of a resilient and solid infrastructure design. In various real-life scenarios however, administrators come across incidents and issues in their Windows Server Failover Clustering infrastructure which have a significant impact on business operations and may incur catastrophic downtime for services offered to customers.

This handbook aims to consolidate best practices for Microsoft Windows Server Failover Clustering which can be applied in both host cluster and guest cluster scenarios. Building an efficient and error-free failover cluster encompasses concepts and design considerations from more than one area, including the Windows Server operating system, Software Defined (SD) and Hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) concepts as well as storage and IP networking design principles. The book takes a pragmatic approach by presenting the theoretical foundations of the inner workings of a failover cluster architecture, discusses the most frequent failover clustering usage scenarios and concludes with practical applications and sample scripts for auditing and health checking an existing cluster as well as for building a new cluster in a lab environment.

This is the first edition of the book and there may be omissions and items for improvement. A new second edition of the book will be released soon which will cover all gaps identified after the review of the first edition.

About the author

Stefanos Evangelou is the author of the following books:

Windows Server Failover Clustering Design Handbook (this book)

Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Troubleshooting

Windows Server Administration Tools and Management Consoles

An exploration of mobile opportunities in higher education

More about Stefanos books can be found at:

https://stefanos.cloud/blog

Stefanos Evangelou has a 15-year background in IT, specializing in cloud systems engineering and consulting based on the Microsoft and Citrix Cloud Platforms. He has provided technical expertise in cloud projects in the United States and EMEA. His skills include technical leadership, in-depth technical consulting, large-scale system design, migration, deployment, quality assurance, technical documentation, and training. Throughout his various professional engagements, Stefanos has gained exposure to multicultural business environments and has attained a consulting-centric mentality with high quality communication, presentation, and rapport skills. His experience in complex technical environments and architectures has equipped him with the ability to understand the big picture in balance with paying attention to detail. His proactiveness, loyalty and cooperative spirit have allowed him to play a key role in all his areas of engagement.

Stefanos holds a MEng in Computer Engineering from