Cluster
A cluster is a group of servers running a system together – scalable, fault-tolerant, and flexible.
For developers: it's infrastructure.
For operations teams: a safety architecture.
For businesses: the foundation of reliable, modern IT.
And for us: the backbone of many client solutions.
What exactly is a cluster?
A cluster consists of multiple physically or virtually separate machines (“nodes”) working together to:
- Provide applications
- Store data
- Scale and secure services
Depending on the purpose, a cluster may consist of two or hundreds of nodes – on-prem, in the cloud, or hybrid.
Why are clusters so important?
Modern applications require:
- Scalability – more resources with more load
- Redundancy – no single point of failure
- Availability – services stay online even if components fail
A well-built cluster enables:
- Rolling updates without downtime
- Self-healing in case of failures
- Load balancing across nodes
A cluster doesn't replace operations – but it makes them more robust, secure, and agile.
Common cluster technologies
- Kubernetes – for container orchestration and modern apps
- Proxmox / VMware – for virtual machines & private clouds
- Ceph – for distributed storage
- High availability setups – with load balancers, fencing, and replication
Clusters aren’t plug-and-play – they need to be designed, built, and operated properly.
How we work with clusters at RiKuWe
We operate cluster setups for scalable, business-critical systems:
- Kubernetes clusters for microservices & DevOps infrastructure
- VM clusters for traditional workloads with high availability requirements
- Monitoring, backups, and alerting included
- Security concepts like RBAC, network policies, and isolation are standard
Whether 2 nodes or 20 – we make sure your cluster not only runs, but delivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cluster in IT?
A cluster is a group of servers working together to provide applications or services. The goal is to increase stability, scalability, and fault tolerance.
Why should I use a cluster?
A single server can fail. A cluster spreads the load across multiple systems – improving availability and reducing downtime risk.
Are clusters only for large companies?
Not at all. Small and mid-sized businesses benefit too – from better scalability, fault tolerance, and automated recovery.
What happens if one node in the cluster fails?
In a well-configured cluster, other nodes automatically take over the failed system’s responsibilities. The service remains available.
Which technologies are used for clusters?
Kubernetes is common for containers. Proxmox and VMware are used for virtual machines. Ceph is often used for distributed storage.
Cluster operations with RiKuWe
Infrastructure for companies
Kubernetes & container services
