Patent ID: 6990602

Claim:
In a computer system including at least two server nodes, each of which can execute clustered server software, a method for providing data to restore clustering, said method comprising the steps of: (a) comparing a current configuration data to a previous configuration data in an initialization phase which includes the steps of: (a1) gathering previously stored data for a first one of said server nodes, and setting a flag to start with an installation phase if said previously stored data does not exist; (a2) gathering current state data for said first server node; (a3) comparing said current state data to said previously stored data, and setting said flag to start with said installation phase if discrepancies exist; (a4) gathering companion node data for said first server node; (a5) determining if said flag has been seen to start with an installation form, said installation form to permit a user to specify data to use in installing clustering software, and if so; (a6) displaying said installation form; (b) comparing said current configuration data to a standard configuration data in an installation phase which includes the steps of: (b1) allowing a user to change said current state data; (b2) comparing said current state data with established guidelines for clustering and reporting discrepancies to said user; (b3) determining if a second one of said server nodes is known by a first server node, and if so; (b4) specifying said second server node as a companion node; (b5) comparing configuration data of first server node with configuration data of said second server node; (b6) allowing said user to make corrections to said configuration data of first server node and said configuration data of second server node if discrepancies exist; (b7) saving said configuration data of first server node and said configuration data of second server node; (b8) displaying a diagnostics form; (c) comparing a set of operations to a standard clustering functionality in a diagnostics phase; (d) displaying a set of results in a results phase.