A failover cluster created in Windows Server 2016 can use a new quorum introduced in Windows Server 2016. “Cloud Witness” is a new type of Failover Cluster quorum that can leverage Microsoft Azure Public Cloud as the arbitration point. When you configure quorum settings using “Configure a Cluster Quorum Wizard“, in Windows Server 2016 Failover Cluster, you will see an option to configure Microsoft Azure as the quorum for cluster.
Benefits of using Microsoft Azure as Quorum:
- Eliminates the need for a third datacenter or physical hardware.
- Zero maintenance of the quorum device.
- Use the publically available Blog storage for storing the quorum settings
About Nirmal Sharma
Nirmal Sharma is a MCSEx3, MCITP and Microsoft MVP in Directory Services. He specializes in directory services, Microsoft Azure, Failover clusters, Hyper-V, and System Center products and has been involved with Microsoft Technologies since 1994. In his spare time, he likes to help others and share some of his knowledge by writing tips and articles on various sites and contributing to Health Packs for ADHealthProf.ITDynamicPacks.Net solutions. Nirmal can be reached at [email protected].
