HP Cluster Platform Overview

Figure 1 Typical HP Cluster Platform set of nodes
1
2 4
3
1. Control Node
2. Application Nodes
3. Additional node group
4. Additional node group
The Control Nodes are also considered a separate node group. A Cluster Platform comprises at
least two node groups (Control Node and one other group) and can contain many node groups.
NOTE: There is no limit to the number of node groups. However, there is a configuration-dependent
maximum number of supported nodes.
Node groups can be used to configure nodes that run compute intensive applications, provide
services and access to external capabilities, such as Login services, SAN connections, and gateways
to external networks.
Console and Administrative Networks
This section describes the networks that are primarily used for management of the cluster.
Console Network
The Console Network is an Ethernet network used for typical console functions, such as power
ON/OFF, boot, and hardware status verification. Command protocol is determined by the node
type, but is typically iLO or IPMI. All nodes are connected to the Console Network. The Console
Network is implemented with one or more 10/100 Ethernet switches distributed in the racks with
the nodes. If there are two or more switches, one switch is designated as the Console Root switch
and the remaining switches are designated as Console Leaf switches. The Console Root switch
aggregates the Console Leaf switches in a two-level tree topology. The Control Node is connected
to the Console Root switch. Application Nodes are typically connected to the Console Leaf switches.
In some configurations, the Application Nodes may be connected directly to the Console Root
switch. Figure 2 (page 6) illustrates the Console Network connections.
Architecture 5