Previous Topic: How Arcserve Backup Integrates with MSCSNext Topic: MSCS Cluster Application Protection


MSCS Cluster Self-Protection

For MSCS, all cluster configuration information resides in a Cluster Database. The Cluster Database is located in the Windows registry on each cluster node and contains information about all physical and logical elements in a cluster, including cluster objects, their properties, and cluster configuration data. The Cluster Database contains the cluster state data that is replicated among nodes to ensure that all nodes in the cluster have a consistent configuration. The Cluster Database registry is located in %WINDIR%\CLUSTER\CLUSDB.

The Cluster Database is part of the Windows System State. When the System State is selected for backup, the Cluster Database is automatically included in this backup. Therefore, the Cluster Database is included in the system state backup only if the node is a part of a cluster and the cluster service is running on that node. If the cluster service is not running, the Cluster Database is not backed up.

To protect a cluster node itself and reduce the potential risk caused by accidental node failure, you should back up the following data using the physical name of the nodes:

During restore operations, you first need to determine the severity of the problem. If you cannot boot the node at all, see Recovering Clusters in the Arcserve Backup Disaster Recovery Option Guide. If you can boot the operating system and only the cluster database is damaged, you will not be able to selectively restore the Cluster Database as a single entity, it must be restored as part of a System State session restore.

Note: To back up and restore the Cluster Database, it is sufficient to back up and restore the Windows System State with the cluster service running. When a cluster node is in the Directory Service Restore mode, the Logon properties of the Cluster Service User Account must be set as Administrator to ensure that Arcserve Backup can be accessed while in Windows Safe Mode.