The installation of Cluster Service is done one node at a time. When performing the installation on the first node, make sure that the second node is powered off and that the shared disk is powered on. Otherwise, the installation will fail.

If Cluster Service was installed during the installation of Windows 2000 Advanced Server, you will be ready to launch the Cluster Service Configuration Wizard. If Cluster Service was not added during the installation of the operating system, it can be added through the Control Panel. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open the Control Panel.

2. Double click the Add/Remove Programs utility.
3. Select Add/Remove Windows Components.
4. From the list of components, select Cluster Service. Click Next.
5. When prompted, insert the Windows 2000 Advanced Server CD. Click OK.
6. Click Next.
7. Click I accept to accept the warning indicating that any hardware not on the HCL is not supported by Cluster Service.
8. Select the option to create a new cluster. Click Next.
9. Type in the NetBIOS name of the cluster. All nodes are grouped under a shared name that can be used when accessing or administering the cluster. This name can not be more than 15 characters. Click Next.
10. Type in the credentials for the Cluster Service domain user account. Click Next.
11. Click Next once the credentials are validated.
12. At this point in the configuration, Cluster Service will detect all the disks on all SCSI buses (except the bus that contains the disk hosting the installation of Windows 2000 Advanced Server). Remove any disks you do not want to be managed by the cluster. Click Next.
13. Select the location for the Quorum resource. The partition it resides on must be a minimum of 5 MB. The recommended size is 100 MB. Click Next.
14. The network adapters installed on the cluster node will be detected. Click Next.
15. A dialog box will appear for each network adapter detected allowing you to configure the type of traffic it will carry (node-to-node or client-to-node). Click Next.
16. Assign an IP address and subnet mask to the cluster. This becomes the IP Address resource. Click Next.
17. Click Finish to complete the installation.

Once the installation is complete on the first node, you can begin the installation process on the second node. For the installation to be successful, the first cluster node and the shared disk must be powered on. The configuration will vary slightly as described in the steps below:

1. When the option to create or join a cluster appears, select the option to join a cluster. Click Next.

2. Provide the name of the cluster that you want the node to join. Click Next.
3. Provide the credentials for the Cluster Service user account. Click Next.
4. Click Finish to complete the installation.

Tags: diana huggins, cluster service, windows 2000 advanced server, scsi, fiber channel