HP XC System Software Administration Guide Version 3.2

1 HP XC Administration Environment
This chapter introduces the HP XC Administration Environment. This chapter addresses the
following topics:
• “Understanding Nodes, Services, and Roles” (page 27)
• “File System” (page 29)
• “HP XC Command Environment” (page 33)
• “Configuration and Management Database” (page 38)
• “HP XC Configuration File Guidelines” (page 38)
• “Installation and Software Distribution” (page 41)
• “Improved Availability” (page 41)
• “Networking” (page 41)
• “Modulefiles” (page 43)
• “Security” (page 43)
• “Recommended Administrative Tasks” (page 44)
1.1 Understanding Nodes, Services, and Roles
The HP XC system consists of individual computers, called nodes, that supply various services.
For example, some nodes provide services that provide networking while others provide services
that allow users to run jobs.
This section describes nodes, services, and roles.
1.1.1 Nodes
Each node of an HP XC system is an individual computer. All nodes of an HP XC system must
be of the same architecture. Some nodes contain their own local storage.
1.1.1.1 Node Types
Generally, there are two types of nodes in the HP XC system:
compute nodes Provide the basic services that let users run jobs. Any node in the HP
XC system is capable of being a compute node.
An HP XC system is comprised mostly of compute nodes.
management nodes Perform system management and other functions for the HP XC system.
These functions can include the following:
• Maintain system software images for installing and updating
software on all the nodes in HP XC system
• External network communications
• Networked file system services
• System monitoring
• Resource management
A management node often hosts multiple management functions. A
node is classified based on the service it provides, so it can be known
by multiple names.
The head node is a special management node. It is the node that is installed first. The head node
is established with the alias nh during installation. You can use this alias in command lines when
you want to designate the head node.
In some configurations, the head node provides all management functions; in other configurations,
the head node is one of many management nodes.
1.1 Understanding Nodes, Services, and Roles 27