Can I use different server models(ibm, hp) for a 2-node NLB cluste

Hi,
I know that using 2 different server models for failover/server cluster in
Win 2003 is not recommended by Micrrosoft. But is it ok to do a 2 node NLB
cluster for IIS 6.0 using 2 different server models? I have an IBM x335 and a
HP DL380 server that are unused and I wanted to minimize the number of new
servers that need to be purchased? Since NLB simply distributes the requests
across 2 servers, I feel it should be ok to use different server models, as
long as the OS and IIS is the same on both. I would be grateful if someone
could comment on that. Thanks a lot in advance.

Hello maxkumar,

No, it is not the OS and application that is the problem. For example the
different RAID controller's can be a problem.

See also here about:
2003:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309395

2008:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943984/en-us

In 2008 it is changed and you can use different hardware IF it pass the validation
test.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm


> Hi,
> I know that using 2 different server models for failover/server
> cluster in
> Win 2003 is not recommended by Micrrosoft. But is it ok to do a 2 node
> NLB
> cluster for IIS 6.0 using 2 different server models? I have an IBM
> x335 and a
> HP DL380 server that are unused and I wanted to minimize the number of
> new
> servers that need to be purchased? Since NLB simply distributes the
> requests
> across 2 servers, I feel it should be ok to use different server
> models, as
> long as the OS and IIS is the same on both. I would be grateful if
> someone
> could comment on that. Thanks a lot in advance.

309395 explicitly says it does not apply to NLB clusters?

"Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" <meiweb(nospam)@gmx.de> wrote in message
news: .com...
> Hello maxkumar,
>
> No, it is not the OS and application that is the problem. For example the
> different RAID controller's can be a problem.
>
> See also here about:
> 2003:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309395
>
> 2008:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943984/en-us
>
> In 2008 it is changed and you can use different hardware IF it pass the
> validation test.
>
> Best regards
>
> Meinolf Weber
> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
> confers no rights.
> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>
>> Hi,
>> I know that using 2 different server models for failover/server
>> cluster in
>> Win 2003 is not recommended by Micrrosoft. But is it ok to do a 2 node
>> NLB
>> cluster for IIS 6.0 using 2 different server models? I have an IBM
>> x335 and a
>> HP DL380 server that are unused and I wanted to minimize the number of
>> new
>> servers that need to be purchased? Since NLB simply distributes the
>> requests
>> across 2 servers, I feel it should be ok to use different server
>> models, as
>> long as the OS and IIS is the same on both. I would be grateful if
>> someone
>> could comment on that. Thanks a lot in advance.
>
>