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HP OpenVMS System Manager's Manual, Volume 2:... |
OpenVMS Cluster Considerations |
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Understanding OpenVMS Cluster Systems
An OpenVMS Cluster system appears as a single system to the user even though it shares some or all of the system resources. When a group of computers shares resources clusterwide, the storage and computing resources of all of the computers are combined, which can increase the processing capability, communications, and availability of your computing system.
A shared resource is a resource (such as a disk) that can be accessed and used by any node in an OpenVMS Cluster system. Data files, application programs, and printers are just a few items that can be accessed by users on a cluster with shared resources, without regard to the particular node on which the files or program or printer might physically reside.
When disks are set up as shared resources in an OpenVMS Cluster environment, users have the same environment (password, privileges, access to default login disks, and so on) regardless of the node that is used for logging in. You can realize a more efficient use of mass storage with shared disks, because the information about any device can be used by more than one node--the information does not have to be rewritten in many places. You can use the OpenVMS MSCP, which is the mass storage control protocol, or TMSCP, which is the tape mass storage control protocol, server software to make tapes accessible to nodes that are not directly connected to the storage devices.
You can also set up print and batch queues as shared resources. In an OpenVMS Cluster configuration with shared print and batch queues, a single queue database manages the queues for all nodes. The queue database makes the queues available from any node. For example, suppose your cluster configuration has fully shared resources and includes nodes ALBANY, BASEL, and CAIRO. A user logged in to node ALBANY can send a file that physically resides on node BASEL to a printer that is physically connected to node CAIRO, and the user never has to specify (or even know) the nodes for either the file or the printer.
Planning an OpenVMS Cluster System
A number of types of OpenVMS Cluster configurations are possible. Refer to Guidelines for OpenVMS Cluster Configurations and the OpenVMS Cluster Software Product Description (SPD) for complete information about supported devices and configurations.
The following sections briefly describe OpenVMS Cluster systems. For complete information about setting up and using an OpenVMS Cluster environment, refer to HP OpenVMS Cluster Systems.
Setting Up an OpenVMS
Cluster Environment
Once you have planned your configuration, installed the necessary
hardware, and checked hardware devices for proper operation, you
can set up an OpenVMS Cluster system using various system software
facilities. Setup procedures to build your cluster follow.
| Procedure | For More Information |
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Installing
or upgrading the operating system on the first OpenVMS Cluster computer
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Installation and operations
guide for your computer
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Installing
required software licenses
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OpenVMS License
Management Utility Manual
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Configuring
and starting the DECnet for OpenVMS network
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DECnet for OpenVMS Networking Manual |
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Configuring
and starting TCP/IP Services
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HP TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS Installation and Configuration
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Preparing files
that define the cluster operating environment and that control disk
and queue operations
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HP OpenVMS Cluster Systems |
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Adding computers to the
cluster
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HP OpenVMS Cluster Systems |
Depending on various factors, the order in which these operations are performed can vary from site to site, as well as from cluster to cluster at the same site.
Clusterwide System Management
Once any
system is installed, you must decide how to manage users and resources
for maximum productivity and efficiency while maintaining the necessary
security. OpenVMS Cluster systems provide the flexibility to distribute
users and resources to suit the needs of the environment. OpenVMS
Cluster system resources can also be easily redistributed as needs
change. Even with the vast number of resources available, you can manage
the cluster configuration as a single system.
You have several tools and products to help you manage your cluster as a unified entity.
The following utilities are provided with the operating system:
| Utility | Description |
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HP Availability Manager
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Collects and analyzes data
from multiple nodes simultaneously, directing all output to a centralized
Windows PC or DECwindows display. (Refer to
Using the HP OpenVMS Availability Manager to Analyze Data and to the HP OpenVMS Availability
Manager User's Guide
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Monitor utility (MONITOR)
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Provides basic performance
data. (See
Monitoring Operating System Performance.)
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Show Cluster
utility (SHOW CLUSTER)
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Monitors activity in an
OpenVMS Cluster configuration, and then collects and sends information
about that activity to a terminal or other output device. (Described
in
Using SHOW CLUSTER.)
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System Management utility
(SYSMAN)
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Allows you to send common control commands
across all, or a subset of, the nodes in the cluster. (Described
in
Using the SYSMAN Command DO to Manage an OpenVMS Cluster.)
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System Management Applications
The following products are not provided with the operating system:
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POLYCENTER
solutions
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A comprehensive set of operations
management products and services to help you manage complex distributed
environments. However, the POLYCENTER Software Installation utility
is described in the the Installation chapter in the HP OpenVMS System Manager's Manual, Volume 1: Essentials.
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Storage Library
System (SLS) for VAX1
Archive Backup System (ABS)2 |
A set of software tools
that enables tape, cartridge tape, and optical disks.
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OpenVMS Cluster Console
System (VCS)
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Designed to consolidate the console management
of the OpenVMS Cluster system at a single console terminal.
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You can find additional information about these system management tools in the appropriate product documentation.
1 VAX specific
2 Alpha and I64 specific
( Number takes you back )
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