Appendix D: Using the Validate a Configuration Wizard
Applies To: Windows Server 2008
This appendix of the Failover Cluster Design Guide provides a brief overview of the validation wizard that is part of failover clustering in Windows Server 2008. For more information about the cluster validation wizard, see https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=119949.
Before you create a failover cluster, we strongly recommend that you validate your configuration, that is, that you run all tests in the Validate a Configuration Wizard. By running the tests, you can confirm that your hardware and settings are compatible with failover clustering. You can also run the tests on a set of servers and storage devices after you have configured them as a failover cluster.
The tests in the validation wizard include specific simulations of cluster actions, and fall into the following categories:
System Configuration tests. These tests analyze whether the selected servers meet specific requirements, for example, the requirement that the servers must run the same operating system version and software updates.
Network tests. These tests analyze whether the planned cluster networks meet specific requirements, for example, requirements for network redundancy.
Storage tests. These tests analyze whether the storage meets specific requirements, for example, whether the storage correctly supports the necessary SCSI commands, and handles simulated cluster actions correctly.
Important
Microsoft supports a failover cluster solution only if the complete configuration (servers, network, and storage) can pass all tests in the Validate a Configuration wizard. In addition, all hardware components in the solution must be marked as "Certified for Windows Server 2008."
You can start the cluster validation wizard by opening the Failover Cluster Management snap-in, selecting Failover Cluster Management in the console tree and then, under Management, clicking Validate a Configuration. When you run the wizard, you can choose to run all tests or you can select specific tests that you want to run.