Implementing and managing Windows Server 2008 Clustering (MOC 6423)

Course overview

This 3-day instructor-led course introduces Windows Server 2008 clustering and provides students with the knowledge and skills to implement, maintain, and troubleshoot clusters.

Prerequisites

• Experience with network load balancing
• Basic knowledge of clustering theory
• Experience in an enterprise environment managing applications and network topologies
• Basic troubleshooting skills

Audience

This course is intended for IT professional technical specialists responsible for implementing and maintaining high availability solutions utilizing clustering technologies.

Ways to save

Benefits to you

• After completing this course, students will be able to implement, maintain, and troubleshoot clusters in their enterprise environment

Course outline

Module 1: Introduction to Clusters

Lessons

• Overview of Clusters
• Benefits of Using Clusters
• Overview of the Windows Server 2008 High Availability Solutions

Lab : Identifying Windows Server 2008 High Availability Solutions

• Exercise 1: Identifying solutions for Web servers
• Exercise 2: Identifying solutions for database servers
• Exercise 3: Identifying complex solutions

Module 2: Introduction to Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Failover Clusters

• Overview of Windows Server 2008 Failover Clusters
• Key Windows Server 2008 Failover Cluster Features
• Overview of the Windows Server 2008 Quorum Models

Lab : Identifying Windows Server 2008 Clustering Solutions

• Exercise 1: Identifying clustered scenarios

Module 3: Preparing to Install a Failover Cluster

Lessons

• Overview of Requirements for Installing a Failover Cluster
• Planning the Failover Cluster Implementation
• Installing the Failover Cluster Feature and Validating the Cluster Configuration
• Installing the Failover Cluster on Windows Server 2008 Server Core

Lab: Preparing for a Cluster Installation

• Exercise 1: Installing the failover cluster feature
• Exercise 2: Validating the failover cluster

Module 4: Overview of Failover Cluster Storage Requirements

Lessons

• Overview of Storage Technologies
• Introduction to Storage Area Networks
• Planning a Storage Solution for Failover Clusters
• Configuring an iSCSI Storage Connection

Lab: Identifying SAN Components

• Exercise 1: Identifying fibre channel SAN components
• Exercise 2: Identifying iSCSI SAN components
• Exercise 3: Configuring iSCSI storage connections

Module 5: Configuring a Failover Cluster

Lessons

• Creating a New Failover Cluster
• Managing a Failover Cluster
• Verifying Failover Functionality

Lab: Creating and Administering a Cluster

• Exercise 1: Creating a cluster
• Exercise 2: Managing a failover cluster

Module 6: Configuring Cluster Resources and Server Roles

Lessons

• Configuring Cluster Resources
• Implementing Failover Clusters for Server Roles Using Failover Cluster Management
• Clustering Server Roles Using Windows Server Core

Lab: Clustering Server Roles and Features

• Exercise 1: Configuring cluster resources
• Exercise 2: Clustering the print server role using failover cluster management
• Exercise 3: Clustering the file server role on Windows Server core
• Exercise 4: Testing cluster availability

Module 7: Maintaining Microsoft Failover Clusters

Lessons

• Monitoring Failover Clusters
• Backing Up and Restoring Failover Clusters
• Troubleshooting Failover Clusters

Lab: Maintaining Failover Clusters

• Exercise 1: Monitoring failover clusters
• Exercise 2: Backing up a failover cluster
• Exercise 3: Restoring a failover cluster

Module 8: Implementing Geographically Dispersed Clusters

Lessons

• Overview of Geographically Dispersed Clusters
• Implementing Geographically Dispersed Clusters Using Windows Server 2008

Module 9: Implementing Network Load Balanced Clusters

Lessons

• Overview of Network Load Balancing
• Configuring a Network Load Balanced Cluster
• Maintaining a Network Load Balanced Cluster

Lab: Implementing an NLB cluster

• Exercise 1: Preparing the NLB cluster nodes
• Exercise 2: Configuring an NLB cluster