Microsoft expands NT clustering

Microsoft has released the Windows NT Load Balancing Service, which allows users to cluster TCP/IP network services across up to 32 systems, expanding networks and applications on the NT Server operating system 4.0 Enterprise Edition.

The service is available now and included in new Windows NT Server Enterprise Edition licences, Microsoft officials said yesterday. Existing customers can download the system component free at http://www.microsoft.com/netserverenterprise/.

The clustered systems show up as a single TCP/IP address space. The Load Balancing Service enables users to perform maintenance and upgrades without interrupting service. That capability, along with scalability, is expected to be particularly appealing to users whose electronic commerce and other Web-based applications are key to their business, Microsoft officials said.