A cluster is an array of servers or databases that behave as a single resource which share task loads and provide failover support. Clustering enables optimal use of multiple resources, but may require fine-tuning on a consistent basis. For example, if Oracle Enterprise Performance Management Workspace, Fusion Edition is installed as a distributed system, there may also be network issues to be considered, such as network latency.
For information on clusters set up for Oracle Hyperion Enterprise Performance Management System services and applications, Oracle Essbase, Shared Services, and so on, see the Oracle Hyperion Enterprise Performance Management System High Availability and Disaster Recovery Guide. Additional information is available in the White Papers Library at Oracle Enterprise Performance Management/Business Intelligence White papers. (http://www.oracle.com/ technology/products/bi/resource-library.html).
For Java Application servers, cache clustering support is driven by TopLink Essentials, which is bundled with Oracle Hyperion Profitability and Cost Management, Fusion Edition. TopLink also offers cache coordination where changes made in one node can be synchronized, replicated, or invalidated across multiple nodes of the same application forming a cluster or grid.
For more information, see these documents about TopLink:
http://www.oracle.com/technology/tech/java/newsletter/articles/toplink/ toplink_caching_locking.html
http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/ias/toplink/JPA/essentials/toplink-jpaextensions. html#TopLinkCaching