In Chapter 3, we went through the steps to install Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 onto a single server. In this chapter, we are going to broaden this basic installation out to numerous servers to create a multiserver farm. When we discuss multiserver farms, we are really addressing the subjects of availability and scalability. These topics are often discussed together and they mean numerous things. They can mean having a fast-responding environment (Multiple Web Front Ends [WFE] handling user requests) or it can mean having a redundant environment to provide increased uptime. In either case, we are looking at moving from a single server implementation to a multiple server environment. This chapter details the trade-offs, decisions, and processes in creating a multiserver MOSS implementation.
One of the challenges in scaling out a MOSS site is deciding which services need their own server(s). In this chapter, we will specifically look at Search, Index, Excel Services, and Shared Services. There are valid reasons why we place Excel Services on its own dedicated server or servers if it is being heavily used. Excel Services is a huge resource hog. Similarly, Index, Query, and Search are often best installed on their own server(s) for performance reasons. We want to isolate all of these services if possible, and using a multiserver farm allows for this type of architecture.
A small company may do very well with a server environment where the entire SharePoint environment resides on a single server. This is perfectly acceptable, but you should be aware that when running on a single server, you will have no redundancy. As your needs grow, you can always scale out by adding additional WFEs and Application servers, but if your core server goes down, your MOSS environment is dead until you recover.
You can also run your SQL environment from the core server. However, we are again looking at a failure point, and the performance degradation you will see may warrant the need to separate the WFE from the Database Server. Medium to large companies will, however, benefit from multiple servers in their farm, as it will allow more users to work without interruption in their portal environments.
Tip
Microsoft has put together some worksheets that the implementer or decision maker can use to decide whether availability is crucial to your company and how to provide for it. The link is available in the "Conclusion" section at the end of this chapter.
At the end of this chapter, you will:
Understand the different Sharepoint Farm Topologies
Be able to decide where to place the different resources, such as Search, Index, and Excel Services
Be able to install a medium to large MOSS 2007 farm
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