| Red Hat Cluster Suite: Configuring and Managing a Cluster | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prev | Chapter 2. Hardware Installation and Operating System Configuration | Next |
Use the following section to identify the hardware components required for the cluster configuration.
| Hardware | Quantity | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cluster nodes | 16 (maximum supported) | Each node must provide enough PCI slots, network slots, and storage adapters for the cluster hardware configuration. Because attached storage devices must have the same device special file on each node, it is recommended that the nodes have symmetric I/O subsystems. It is also recommended that the processor speed and amount of system memory be adequate for the processes run on the cluster nodes. Refer to Section 2.3.1 Installing the Basic Cluster Hardware for more information. | Yes |
Table 2-4. Cluster Node Hardware
Table 2-5 includes several different types of fence devices.
A single cluster requires only one type of power switch.
| Type | Description | Models |
|---|---|---|
| Network-attached power switches. | Remote (LAN, Internet) fencing using RJ45 Ethernet connections and remote terminal access to the device. | APC MasterSwitch 92xx/96xx; WTI NPS-115/NPS-230, IPS-15, IPS-800/IPS-800-CE and TPS-2 |
| Fabric Switches. | Fence control interface integrated in several models of fabric switches used for Storage Area Networks (SANs). Used as a way to fence a failed node from accessing shared data. | Brocade Silkworm 2x00, McData Sphereon, Vixel 9200 |
| Integrated Power Management Interfaces | Remote power management features in various brands of server systems; can be used as a fencing agent in cluster systems | HP Integrated Lights-out (iLO), IBM BladeCenter with firmware dated 7-22-04 or later |
Table 2-5. Fence Devices
Table 2-7 through Table 2-8 show a variety of hardware components for an administrator to choose from. An individual cluster does not require all of the components listed in these tables.
| Hardware | Quantity | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network interface | One for each network connection | Each network connection requires a network interface installed in a node. | Yes |
| Network switch or hub | One | A network switch or hub allows connection of multiple nodes to a network. | Yes |
| Network cable | One for each network interface | A conventional network cable, such as a cable with an RJ45 connector, connects each network interface to a network switch or a network hub. | Yes |
Table 2-6. Network Hardware Table
| Hardware | Quantity | Description | Required | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host bus adapter | One per node |
| Yes | ||||
| External disk storage enclosure | At least one |
| Yes | ||||
| SCSI cable | One per node | SCSI cables with 68 pins connect each host bus adapter to a storage enclosure port. Cables have either HD68 or VHDCI connectors. Cables vary based on adapter type. | Only for parallel SCSI configurations | ||||
| SCSI terminator | As required by hardware configuration | For a RAID storage enclosure that uses "out" ports (such as FlashDisk RAID Disk Array) and is connected to single-initiator SCSI buses, connect terminators to the "out" ports to terminate the buses. | Only for parallel SCSI configurations and only as necessary for termination | ||||
| Fibre Channel hub or switch | One or two | A Fibre Channel hub or switch may be required. | Only for some Fibre Channel configurations | ||||
| Fibre Channel cable | As required by hardware configuration | A Fibre Channel cable connects a host bus adapter to a storage enclosure port, a Fibre Channel hub, or a Fibre Channel switch. If a hub or switch is used, additional cables are needed to connect the hub or switch to the storage adapter ports. | Only for Fibre Channel configurations |
Table 2-7. Shared Disk Storage Hardware Table
| Hardware | Quantity | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS system | One or more | Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems protect against downtime if a power outage occurs. UPS systems are highly recommended for cluster operation. Connect the power cables for the shared storage enclosure and both power switches to redundant UPS systems. Note that a UPS system must be able to provide voltage for an adequate period of time, and should be connected to its own power circuit. | Strongly recommended for availability |
Table 2-8. UPS System Hardware Table
| Hardware | Quantity | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal server | One | A terminal server enables you to manage many nodes remotely. | No |
| KVM switch | One | A KVM switch enables multiple nodes to share one keyboard, monitor, and mouse. Cables for connecting nodes to the switch depend on the type of KVM switch. | No |
Table 2-9. Console Switch Hardware Table