Overview
A cluster consists of two or more systems or nodes, which provide applications, system resources, and data for users as a sustainable system. Each cluster node is an independent system that has complete functions.
A high availability (HA) cluster keeps running in the event of a fault, ensuring almost continuous access to data and applications. However, these faults cause a single server to break down. A single fault, such as a hardware, software, or network fault, does not cause the failure of a cluster.
A Sun Cluster system is a set of closely connected nodes, which provide a single management view for network services and applications. The Sun Cluster system enables HA by combining hardware with software as follows:
- Redundant disk systems provide storage.
- Redundant hot-swap components, such as power supply and cooling systems, maintain the continuous operation of the Sun Cluster system after hardware fails, improving system HA.
- Based on the HA framework, the Sun Cluster system can quickly detect node faults and migrate applications or services to another node that runs in the same environment.