Clustering Vs. Log Shipping

Hi All,

Is anyone can tell me the difference between log shipping and clustering? I look at it and I think that this is the same thing as they use two different servers.

TIA

No they are not even close, Clustering is hardware operation that let your application failover to a live standby through a configuration called heart beat while Log Shipping let you within a few minutes create a new running version of your database. If you are in SQL Server 2005 it comes with something called database Mirroring as of service pack 1 it is almost but not quite Clustering because the change over is smoother than Log Shipping so almost like hardware Clustering. Run a search for database Mirroring in SQL Server BOL(books online). Hope this helps.|||

Thank you Caddre.

But what make me confused is that they both have 2 different server. So, in terms of cost they are almost the same. Then, the only difference that I see is the time delay. Clustering would be faster to recover than Log Shipping. Also, Log Shipping only copy the transaction log (what is that means?)

TIA

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Not quite because Cluster boxes are very expensive but you can configure any box to do Log Shipping, because the later is just a dedicated Backup/Restore operation, while the former is a smooth invisible failover through Active/Passive or Active/Active configuration based on the hardware vendor's provided features in the Cluster box. So Log Shipping could be cheap available to most users who can afford the extra box while Cluster is expensive hardware and may require extra hardware components beyound the Cluster box to use and skilled System/Database Admin. Hope this helps.

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms188698.aspx

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Thank you Gift,

I am clear now.

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ronnyr:

Thank you Gift,

I am clear now.

I am glad I could help.