Server Cluster Hosting
Server Cluster Hosting
Benefits of Server Cluster Hosting
Sign Up Today!
Benefits of Server Clusters
In simplest terms, a server cluster is a group of independent servers that have been linked together and work together. Because of the way in which they are linked together, server clusters protect against network failure, making them an excellent safety feature. Such safety features are becoming increasingly important as network applications become more critical to business. In addition to safety, though, server clusters offer a wide range of benefits for your business or organization. The following are some of the main benefits offered by server clusters:
Performance
Servers in a cluster act as one unit, with jobs distributed evenly across all of the servers. Sometimes more than one server handles a job. This serves two functions: 1) application speed is increased and 2) your applications are protected. Speed is increased because 10 servers can do 10 times as much work in a set amount of time as one server can do in that timeframe. Your applications are protected by redundancy. If something happens to one of the servers, the task manager, which can be software or a computer service, will reassign the task to another server in the cluster. Both performance enhancements can affect whether someone actually sees your website or goes elsewhere, which affects your ability to make sales.
Application Failover
When a component of an application fails, the application is switched over to a copy on another server. With server clusters, there are copies of the application on every server, each capable of performing the tasks of that application. If one stops working, for whatever reason, a copy on another server takes over the task. This ensures that your applications are always working.
High Availability
Between the performance functions and the application failover, server clusters ensure the availability of your applications. Unlike individual servers, server clusters allow your applications to continue running during downtime or unexpected failures. As long as one server from the cluster remains online, your applications will continue to operate.
Upgrades and Maintenance
Servers in a server cluster are upgraded and maintained as easily as the cluster is expanded. Each server can be disconnected from the cluster by either disconnecting the network cable or simply turning off the power. Once it is disconnected, the server can be repaired, replaced, or upgraded, and there is no downtime or loss of service.
Scalability
As your needs grow, your server cluster can be easily expanded to handle the increased load. Expanding a server cluster involves adding a new server to the cluster. After being added into the cluster, the new server is added into the route configuration on the main server. There are no service interruptions and no downtime because the other servers in the cluster are still running tasks as the new server is being added.
Setup Options
Server clusters have more than one setup configuration, so you can choose the method that is best suited to your organization. There are configurations for speed, performance and availability, or a combination of the two. Storage options include shared disk and shared nothing arrangements. Of course, if you choose to use a hosting provider, all of the details of setup and configuration will be the responsibility of your provider, which leaves you free to focus on more important things.
Easy Administration
Server clusters have a relatively easy administration setup. Typically, a primary server is used for routing and security, while other servers handle on the actual operations of the various applications. This setup separates security and routing administration from web service administration. Since security and routing, which are the most frequent administrative tasks, are only on the main server, the administration process is simplified. Server clusters can even be set up, configured and managed remotely.
Total Cost of Ownership
One of the major reasons most businesses give for not using server clusters is cost. While it is true that having several servers for a cluster will have a higher initial cost than having only one server, server clusters offer a range of cost reductions that lower the overall cost of ownership. Better performance, higher speed and increased availability all increase employee production. Easy setup and administration means IT staff spends less time on the servers and more time on other tasks. In addition, the lack of downtime and service loss decreases the amount of time spent waiting or unable to perform. All of these lower overhead and increase production, making server clusters more cost-effective for long-term ownership.
Critical business activities, such as email, databases servers and infrastructure servers, need to be housed on a reliable platform. Server clusters provide that platform, having a design that protects against downtime and loss of service. For any business, faster performance and availability can translate to increased employee production and higher revenue. Regardless of the type or size of your organization, server clusters can offer you many benefits.