Windows Clustering

What Does Windows Clustering Mean?

Windows clustering is a strategy that uses Microsoft Windows and the synergy of independent multiple computers linked as a unified resource – often through a local area network (LAN). Clustering is more cost-effective than a single computer and provides improved system availability, scalability and reliability. Windows clustering also provides a single client name, a single administrative interface and data consistency across all nodes.

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Windows clustering is also known as Microsoft clustering technology or Microsoft cluster server.

Techopedia Explains Windows Clustering

Windows clustering includes three primary components:

  • Server clustering: Maintains data integrity and provides failover support.
  • Network load balancing (NLB): Addresses bottlenecks resulting from front-end Web services.
  • Component load balancing (CLB): Addresses the unique scalability and availability needs of middle-tier applications.

Windows clustering guards against three types of failure: Application/service, system/hardware and site failures, which may result from power outages, connection failures or disasters.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…