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Understanding Cluster Validation Tests: Network

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2

Network tests help you confirm that the correct network infrastructure is in place for a failover cluster.

Correcting issues uncovered by network tests

For information about how to correct the issues that are revealed by network tests, see:

For additional information about hardware compatibility for Windows Server 2008 R2, see https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=139145.

Network tests in the Validate a Configuration Wizard

You can run the following network tests by using the Validate a Configuration Wizard:

  • List Network Binding Order: This test lists the order in which networks are bound to the adapters on each node.

  • Validate Cluster Network Configuration includes the following tasks:

    • Lists the cluster networks, that is, the network topology as seen from the perspective of the cluster.

    • Validates that, for a particular cluster network, all network adapters are provided with IP addresses in the same way (that is, all use static IP addresses or all use DHCP).

    • Validates that, for a particular cluster network, all network adapters use the same version of IP (that is, all use IPv4, all use IPv6, or all use both IPv4 and IPv6).

  • Validate IP Configuration includes the following tasks:

    • Lists the IP configuration details.

    • Validates that IP addresses are unique in the cluster (no duplication).

    • Checks the number of network adapters on each tested server. If only one adapter is found, the report provides a warning about avoiding single points of failure in the network infrastructure that connects clustered servers.

      There are multiple ways of avoiding single points of failure. You can connect your cluster nodes by multiple, distinct networks. Alternatively, you can connect your cluster nodes with one network that is constructed with teamed network adapters, redundant switches, redundant routers, or similar hardware that removes single points of failure.

    • Validates that no tested servers have multiple adapters on the same IP subnet.

    • Validates that all tested servers use the same version of IP (that is, all use IPv4, all use IPv6, or all use both IPv4 and IPv6).

  • Validate Multiple Subnet Properties: This test validates that settings related to DNS are configured appropriately for clusters using multiple subnets to span multiple sites.

  • Validate Network Communication: This test validates that tested servers can communicate with acceptable latency on all networks. The test also checks to see if there are redundant communication paths between all servers. Communication between the nodes of a cluster enables the cluster to detect node failures and status changes and to manage the cluster as a single entity.

  • Validate Windows Firewall Configuration: This test validates that Windows Firewall is configured correctly for failover clustering on the tested servers.

Additional references