Planning a Reliable Configuration
Planning a Reliable Configuration |
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Although it is important to be prepared for problems, you can take steps to protect against certain failures, such as disk failures, component problems, network problems, and power failures. Hardware and software configurations can be implemented to help reduce the likelihood of problems that result in costly downtime and recovery processes.
Computers running Windows 2000 Server have fault tolerance features built into the operating system. Typically, fault tolerance applies to disk subsystems, but it can also apply to other parts of a system or an entire system. For example, a fully fault-tolerant computer system uses redundant disk controllers and a UPS as well as fault-tolerant disk subsystems.
Although data is always available and current in a fault-tolerant disk configuration, backups are always needed to protect data on a disk subsystem from failures caused by unpredictable occurrences such as user error, sabotage, or software malfunction, and catastrophes such as fires, earthquakes, or floods. Keeping replacement disks and controllers available on-site is cost-effective.
Disk fault tolerance is not an alternative to a backup strategy. Your backup strategy should include off-site storage.
Consider providing UPS protection for individual computers and the network itself, including hubs, bridges, and routers. Windows 2000 has UPS support on individual computers which typically provides power long enough for Windows 2000 to complete an orderly shutdown when power fails. If your company has a history of frequent or prolonged power outages, investigate alternative power sources besides the local power company for critical computers. It is important to remember that even a UPS for every computer on the network does not necessarily prevent data loss or corruption due to power fluctuations. The network is itself an electrical system. Intermediary devices such as routers, bridges, and hubs, require the same UPS protection to prevent loss of network functionality.