Cluster support: comparing SP1 and DPM V2

  • Article

Today I got a lesson on "cluster-aware" and "not cluster-aware". With my new-found understanding, let's look at the versions of DPM and how they work with server clusters.

  • DPM 2006 is not cluster-aware and cannot protect a server that is in a server cluster.
  • With Service Pack 1, DPM 2006 is cluster-agnostic, and so it can protect a server that is in a server cluster. With SP1, you can install a file agent on a clustered server and protect the file resources on that physical node. When you select members for a protection group, the node with the file agent appears like any other physical server. DPM does not "see" it as a cluster.
  • DPM V2 is fully cluster-aware and understands all cluster configurations, including the advanced configurations of CCR & LCR with Exchange 2007. Not only can you protect a server that is in a server cluster, DPM V2 is aware that it is a cluster and allows you to select resources for protection using the virtual name of the resource. In addition, when you install the protection agent on a cluster node, DPM automatically selects the other nodes for installation as well. Because DPM V2 is cluster-aware, it can continue to protect resources on a planned failover of the cluster node.