8 Introduction
Cluster Solution
Your cluster implements a minimum of two node to a maximum of either eight 
nodes (for Windows Server 2003) or sixteen nodes (for Windows Server 2008) 
clustering and provides the following features:
• 8-Gbps and 4-Gbps Fibre Channel technologies
• High availability of resources to network clients
• Redundant paths to the shared storage 
• Failure recovery for applications and services
• Flexible maintenance capabilities, allowing you to repair, maintain, or 
upgrade a node or storage system without taking the entire cluster offline
Implementing Fibre Channel technology in a cluster provides the following 
advantages:
•
Flexibility 
— Fibre Channel allows a distance of up to 10 km between 
switches without degrading the signal.
•
Availability 
— Fibre Channel components use redundant connections, 
providing multiple data paths and greater availability for clients. 
•
Connectivity 
— Fibre Channel allows more device connections than 
SCSI. Because Fibre Channel devices are hot-swappable, you can add or 
remove devices from the nodes without bringing down the cluster. 
Cluster Hardware Requirements
Your cluster requires the following hardware components:
• Cluster nodes
• Cluster storage