Windows Server Failover Clustering Description
Failover Clustering in Windows Server (and Azure Local) allows a collection of independent servers to collaborate, enhancing both availability and scalability for clustered roles, which were previously referred to as clustered applications and services. These interconnected nodes utilize a combination of hardware and software solutions, ensuring that if one node encounters a failure, another node seamlessly takes over its responsibilities through an automated failover mechanism. Continuous monitoring of clustered roles ensures that if they cease to function properly, they can be restarted or migrated to uphold uninterrupted service. Additionally, this feature includes support for Cluster Shared Volumes (CSVs), which create a cohesive, distributed namespace and enable reliable shared storage access across all nodes, thereby minimizing potential service interruptions. Common applications of Failover Clustering encompass high‑availability file shares, SQL Server instances, and Hyper‑V virtual machines. This functionality is available on Windows Server versions 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025, as well as within Azure Local environments, making it a versatile choice for organizations looking to enhance their system resilience. By leveraging Failover Clustering, organizations can ensure their critical applications remain available even in the event of hardware failures.
Windows Server Failover Clustering Alternatives
JS7 JobScheduler
JS7 JobScheduler, an Open Source Workload Automation System, is designed for performance and resilience. JS7 implements state-of-the-art security standards. It offers unlimited performance for parallel executions of jobs and workflows.
JS7 provides cross-platform job execution and managed file transfer. It supports complex dependencies without the need for coding. The JS7 REST-API allows automation of inventory management and job control.
JS7 can operate thousands of Agents across any platform in parallel.
Platforms
- Cloud scheduling for Docker®, OpenShift®, Kubernetes® etc.
- True multi-platform scheduling on premises, for Windows®, Linux®, AIX®, Solaris®, macOS® etc.
- Hybrid cloud and on-premises use
User Interface
- Modern GUI with no-code approach for inventory management, monitoring, and control using web browsers
- Near-real-time information provides immediate visibility to status changes, log outputs of jobs and workflows.
- Multi-client functionality, role-based access management
- OIDC authentication and LDAP integration
High Availability
- Redundancy & Resilience based on asynchronous design and autonomous Agents
- Clustering of all JS7 Products, automatic fail-over and manual switch-over
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AdRem NetCrunch
NetCrunch is a next-gen, agentless infrastructure and traffic network monitoring system designed for hybrid, multi-site, and fast changing infrastructures. It combines real-time observability with alert automation and intelligent escalation to eliminate the overhead and limitations of legacy tools like PRTG or SolarWinds. NetCrunch supports agentless monitoring of thousands of nodes from a single server-covering physical devices, virtual machines, servers, traffic flows, cloud services (AWS, Azure, GCP), SNMP, syslogs, Windows Events, IoT, telemetry, and more.
Unlike sensor-based tools, NetCrunch uses node-based licensing and policy-driven configuration to streamline monitoring, reduce costs, and eliminate sensor micromanagement. 670+ built-in monitoring packs apply instantly based on device type, ensuring consistency across the network.
NetCrunch delivers real-time, dynamic maps and dashboards that update without manual refreshes, giving users immediate visibility into issues and performance. Its smart alerting engine features root cause correlation, suppression, predictive triggers, and over 40 response actions including scripts, API calls, notifications, and integrations with Jira, Teams, Slack, Amazon SNS, MQTT, PagerDuty, and more.
Its powerful REST API makes NetCrunch perfect for flow automation, including integration with asset management, production/IoT/operations monitoring and other IT systems with ease.
Whether replacing an aging platform or modernizing enterprise observability, NetCrunch offers full-stack coverage with unmatched flexibility. Fast to deploy, simple to manage, and built to scale-NetCrunch is the smarter, faster, and future-ready monitoring system. Designed for on-prem (including air-gapped), cloud self-hosted or hybrid networks.
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SIOS DataKeeper
SIOS DataKeeper is a block-level replication solution tailored for host-based environments, providing real-time redundancy either synchronously or asynchronously for Windows Server setups, and it integrates effortlessly with Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC). This innovative solution facilitates the creation of "SANless" clusters, removing the need for shared-storage systems by enabling data replication across various local, virtual, or cloud servers such as VMware, Hyper-V, AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, all while ensuring optimized performance without the necessity for specialized hardware accelerators or compression tools. After installation, it introduces a new SIOS DataKeeper Volume resource within WSFC, allowing for the support of geographically distributed clusters through cross-subnet failover and customizable heartbeat settings. Additionally, it features built-in WAN optimization and effective compression to enhance bandwidth utilization over both local and wide-area networks, thereby improving overall network efficiency. This combination of features makes SIOS DataKeeper an excellent choice for organizations looking to enhance their data availability without the complexities of traditional storage solutions.
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NEC EXPRESSCLUSTER
NEC’s EXPRESSCLUSTER software offers a robust and cost-effective way to ensure uninterrupted business operations through high availability and disaster recovery capabilities. It effectively mitigates risks of data loss and system failures by enabling seamless failover and data synchronization between servers, without the need for expensive shared storage solutions. With a strong presence in over 50 countries and a market-leading position in the Asia Pacific region for more than eight years, EXPRESSCLUSTER has been widely adopted by thousands of companies worldwide. The platform integrates with numerous databases, email systems, ERP platforms, virtualization environments, and cloud providers like AWS and Azure. EXPRESSCLUSTER continuously monitors system health, including hardware, network, and application status, to provide instant failover in case of disruptions. Customers report significant improvements in operational uptime, disaster resilience, and data protection, contributing to business efficiency. This software is backed by decades of experience and a deep understanding of enterprise IT needs. It delivers peace of mind to businesses that rely on critical systems to remain online at all times.
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Pricing
Free Trial:
Yes
Integrations
Company Details
Company:
Microsoft
Year Founded:
1975
Headquarters:
United States
Website:
learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/failover-clustering-overview
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