Many virtual processing configurations allow the users to see a single computing environment. Administrators and developers see a very different view. Administrators are often forced to manage each system in a cluster separately. At this point in time, Windows 2000 doesn't offer a true cluster environment. Shared-everything configurations share all resources via a common lock manager.
Applications request a lock for a given resource before attempting to use it.
The lock manager either grants the lock or responds that the resource is unavailable. The application can then inform the user or wait for the resource to become available again. Users, developers and even administrators see the configuration as a large single computer from almost every perspective. These enhancements usually include shared file systems, shared networking subsystems and common management software. Adherents to this approach point out that it makes it easier to build an environment giving the impression of a single system.