Checklist: Create a Clustered File Server

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

	Step	Reference
	Review hardware and infrastructure requirements for a failover cluster.	Understanding Requirements for Failover Clusters
	Install the failover cluster feature on every server that will be in the cluster.	Install Failover Clustering
	Connect the networks and storage that the cluster will use.	Prepare Hardware Before Validating a Failover Cluster
	Run the Validate a Configuration wizard to confirm that the hardware and hardware settings of the servers, network, and storage are compatible with failover clustering. If necessary, adjust hardware or hardware settings and rerun the wizard.	Validate a New or Existing Failover Cluster
	Create the failover cluster.	Create a New Failover Cluster
	If the clustered servers are connected to a network that is not to be used for network communication in the cluster (for example, a network intended only for iSCSI or only for backup), then configure that network so that it does not allow cluster communication.	Modify Network Settings for a Failover Cluster
	Run the High-Availability Wizard and specify the File Server role, a name for the clustered file server, and IP address information that is not automatically supplied by your DHCP settings. Also specify the storage volume or volumes.	Configure a Service or Application for High Availability
	Add shared folders to the clustered file server as needed.	Create a Shared Folder in a Clustered File Server
	Test failover of the clustered file server.	Test Failover of a Clustered Service or Application

Additional references

• Overview of Failover Clusters

• Modify Failover Settings for a Clustered Service or Application

• For design and deployment information for failover clusters, see https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=86168.