Clustering setup and installation guide

Compaq Smart Array Cluster Storage Clustering Setup and Installation Guide A-1

COMPAQ CONFIDENTIAL

Writer: John Turner File Name: e-appa system management.doc

Codename: Voyager CL+ Part Number: 272402-001 Last Saved On: 1/3/02 9:56 AM

System Management

Throughout the life of the cluster, you will encounter the need to improve

performance, upgrade hardware components, upgrade software, increase storage

capacity, restructure cluster groups, back up cluster data, or monitor ongoing

activities. This appendix describes the utilities and programs used in the ongoing

management of your system.

Cluster Management Concepts

It is likely that, at some time, you will need to perform a task on a server node that

requires it to be powered down. Always use Cluster Administrator to fail over (or at a

minimum, bring offline) clustered applications before powering down the server.

Managing a Cluster in a Degraded Condition

Due to the high-availability nature of clustering, applications and network clients

remain operational even while some cluster components do not. When the cluster is

in this degraded condition, it is important to:

1. Understand what caused the degradation.

2. Determine whether the condition will continually worsen.

3. Determine how critical it is to repair the problem:

— If the problem is considered noncritical, wait until a nonpeak time to service

the problem.

— If the problem is considered critical, fail over all clustered applications and

resources to the other server node before servicing the problem.