Cluster
A cluster is a group of interconnected computers, servers, or nodes that work together as a single system to increase performance, fault tolerance, and scalability. In IT, clustering enables the combination of computing resources to handle complex tasks and balance workloads efficiently.
How It Works
A cluster consists of multiple nodes connected through a network. Each node performs a part of the overall task, while a management system distributes computing, storage, or network operations among them.
If one node fails, its tasks are automatically transferred to others — a process known as failover.
Main types of clusters include:
- Compute clusters — perform parallel computations.
- Storage clusters — combine servers to store and manage data.
- Web or network clusters — distribute load among web servers to improve responsiveness.
Applications
Clusters are widely used in data centers, cloud infrastructures, scientific computing, big data analytics, and DevOps environments.
For example, in cloud platforms, Kubernetes groups containers into clusters to automatically manage scaling and fault tolerance.
Advantages
- Increased performance and faster data processing.
- Fault tolerance through resource redundancy.
- Scalability without downtime.
- Efficient workload distribution across nodes.
Example
In a company, a server cluster ensures uninterrupted operation of the corporate portal: if one node is overloaded or fails, the traffic is redistributed to others automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
A server is a single machine, while a cluster unites multiple servers that work together as one system and can take over each other’s workloads if one fails.
Clusters improve performance, balance network and processing loads, and ensure continuous service operation even when hardware components fail.
A failover cluster automatically redirects processes from a failed node to active ones, ensuring that applications continue running without interruption.
Clusters are used in cloud computing, data analytics, databases, storage systems, scientific research, and high-load web services.
