Final answer:
In a failover cluster, the active node handles all workloads and tasks, while the passive node remains on standby to take over in case the active node fails, ensuring high availability and reliability of services.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between an active node and a passive node in a failover cluster is related to their roles and how they handle tasks. An active node is currently running one or more cluster services or applications. It is the primary node that handles all the workload and operational tasks. In contrast, a passive node is on standby, ready to take over the operations if the active node fails or if maintenance is required on the active node.
In a typical failover scenario, the active node constantly replicates data to the passive node, so the passive node can quickly become the new active node without data loss in the event of a failure. This approach enhances the availability and reliability of services or applications, providing seamless operation to users even in the case of hardware or software issues on the primary node.