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PRIMECLUSTER  Cluster Foundation Configuration and Administration Guide 4.3
FUJITSU Software

Glossary

AC

See Access Client.

Access Client

GFS kernel module on each node that communicates with the Meta Data Server and provides simultaneous access to a shared file system.

administrative LAN

An optional private local area network (LAN) used for administrative commands to the nodes in the cluster. To provide an extra level of security, normal users do not have access to the administrative LAN. In Cluster Foundation configurations, the System Console and Cluster Console reside on the administrative LAN if one is present.

See also public LAN.

API

See Application Program Interface.

application (RMS)

In the RMS context, an application object is a special resource used to group other resources into a logical collection. Typically, it is used to represent a real-world application or application suite in a high-availability configuration.

Application Program Interface

A shared boundary between a service provider and the application that uses that service.

application template (RMS)

A predefined group of object definition value choices used by the Wizard Tools or the RMS Wizard Kit to create object definitions for a specific type of application.

attribute (RMS)

The part of an object definition that specifies how the base monitor acts and reacts for a particular object type during normal operations.

automatic switchover (RMS)

The procedure by which RMS automatically switches control of a userApplication over to another node after specified conditions are detected.

See also directed switchover (RMS), failover (RMS, SIS), switchover (RMS), symmetrical switchover (RMS).

availability

Availability describes the need of most enterprises to operate applications via the Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The relationship of the actual to the planned usage time determines the availability of a system.

base cluster foundation (CF)

This Cluster Foundation module resides on top of the basic OS and provides internal interfaces for the CF (Cluster Foundation) functions that the Cluster Foundation services use in the layer above.

See also Cluster Join Services (CF).

base monitor (RMS)

The RMS module that maintains the availability of resources. The base monitor is supported by daemons and detectors. Each node being monitored has its own copy of the base monitor.

Cache Fusion

The improved interprocess communication interface in Oracle 9i that allows logical disk blocks (buffers) to be cached in the local memory of each node. Thus, instead of having to flush a block to disk when an update is required, the block can be copied to another node by passing a message on the interconnect, thereby removing the physical I/O overhead.

CF

See Cluster Join Services (CF).

CF node name (CF)

The CF cluster node name, which is configured when a CF cluster is created.

child (RMS)

A resource defined in the configuration file that has at least one parent. A child can have multiple parents, and can either have children itself (making it also a parent) or no children (making it a leaf object).

See also resource (RMS), object (RMS), parent (RMS).

cluster

A set of computers that work together as a single computing source. Specifically, a cluster performs a distributed form of parallel computing.

See also RMS configuration (RMS).

Cluster Admin

A Java-based, OS-independent management tool for Cluster Foundation products such as CF, SIS, and RMS. Cluster Admin is available from the Web-Based Admin View interface.

See also Cluster Foundation (CF), Scalable Internet Services (SIS), Reliant Monitor Services (RMS), Web-Based Admin View.

Cluster Foundation (CF)

The set of Cluster Foundation modules that provides basic clustering communication services.

See also base cluster foundation (CF).

cluster interconnect

The set of private network connections used exclusively for Cluster Foundation communications.

Cluster Interconnect Protocol

CIP is an interface such as eth0 except the physical layer is built on top of the cluster interconnect.

Cluster Join Services (CF)

This Cluster Foundation module handles the forming of a new cluster and the addition of nodes.

concatenated virtual disk (RCVM)

Concatenated virtual disks consist of two or more pieces on one or more disk drives. They correspond to the sum of their parts. Unlike simple virtual disks where the disk is subdivided into small pieces, the individual disks or partitions are combined to form a single large logical disk.

See also, mirror virtual disk (RCVM), simple virtual disk (RCVM), striped virtual disk (RCVM), virtual disk.

configuration file (RMS)

In the RMS context, the single file that defines the monitored resources and establishes the interdependencies between them. The default name of this file is config.us.

console

See single console.

custom detector (RMS)

See detector (RMS).

custom type (RMS)

See graph (RMS).

daemon

A continuous process that performs a specific function repeatedly.

database node (SIS)

Nodes that maintain the configuration, dynamic data, and statistics in a SIS configuration.

See also gateway node (SIS), service node (SIS), Scalable Internet Services (SIS).

detector (RMS)

A process that monitors the state of a specific object type and reports a change in the resource state to the base monitor.

DHCP

Dynamic Host Control Protocol. A standard method of delivering information to a host at boot time. This is most often used to dynamically assign the host's IP address and netmask, but many other parameters are possible, including domain names, DNS servers, and time servers.

directed switchover (RMS)

The RMS procedure by which an administrator switches control of a userApplication over to another node.

See also automatic switchover (RMS), failover (RMS, SIS), switchover (RMS), symmetrical switchover (RMS).

DOWN (CF)

A node state that indicates that the node is unavailable (marked as down). A LEFTCLUSTER node must be marked as DOWN before it can rejoin a cluster.

See also UP (CF), LEFTCLUSTER (CF), node state (CF).

Enhanced Lock Manager (ELM) (CF)

A light weight, high performance, highly responsive lock manger, specifically designed for providing a high reliability heartbeat messaging mechanism for Cluster Foundation modules.

ENS (CF)

See Event Notification Services (CF).

environment variables

Variables or parameters that are defined globally.

error detection (RMS)

The process of detecting an error. For RMS, this includes initiating a log entry, sending a message to a log file, or making an appropriate recovery response.

Ethernet

LAN standard that is standardized by IEEE 802.3. Currently, except for special uses, nearly all LANs are Ethernets. Originally the expression Ethernet was a LAN standard name for a 10 megabyte per second type LAN, but now it also used as a general term that includes high-speed Ethernets and gigabyte Ethernets.

Event Notification Services (CF)

This Cluster Foundation module provides an atomic-broadcast facility for events.

failover (RMS, SIS)

With SIS, this process switches a failed node to a backup node. With RMS, this process is known as switchover.

See also automatic switchover (RMS), directed switchover (RMS), switchover (RMS), symmetrical switchover (RMS).

gateway node (SIS)

Gateway nodes have an external network interface. All incoming packets are received by this node and forwarded to the selected service node, depending on the scheduling algorithm for the service.

See also service node (SIS), database node (SIS), Scalable Internet Services (SIS).

generic type (RMS)

An object type which has generic properties. A generic type is used to customize RMS for monitoring resources that cannot be assigned to one of the supplied object types.

See also object type (RMS).

GFS Shared File System

A shared file system that allows simultaneous access from multiple Linux(R) systems that are connected to shared disk units, while maintaining data consistency, and allows processing performed by a node to be continued by other nodes even if the first node fails.

The GFS Shared File System can be mounted and used concurrently from multiple nodes.

Global Disk Services

This optional product provides volume management that improves the availability and manageability of information stored on the disk unit of the Storage Area Network (SAN).

Global File Services

This optional product provides direct, simultaneous accessing of the file system on the shared storage unit from two or more nodes within a cluster.

Global Link Services

This optional products provides network high availability solutions by multiplying a network route.

graph (RMS)

See system graph (RMS).

graphical user interface

A computer interface with windows, icons, toolbars, and pull-down menus that is designed to be simpler to use than the command-line interface.

GUI

See graphical user interface.

HBA blockage function

Function that stops the HBA in the switchover source when node switching takes place. This function enables PRIMECLUSTER node switching to be executed at high speed. This function shortens the node switchover time by forcibly stopping all ongoing input/output processes in the HBA of the switchover source.

high availability

A system design philosophy in which redundant resources are employed to avoid single points of failure.

See also Reliant Monitor Services (RMS).

interconnect (CF)

See cluster interconnect.

Internet Protocol address

A numeric address that can be assigned to computers or applications.

See also IP address.

Internode Communications facility

This module is the network transport layer for all Cluster Foundation internode communications. It interfaces by means of OS-dependent code to the network I/O subsystem and guarantees delivery of messages queued for transmission to the destination node in the same sequential order unless the destination node fails.

IP address

See Internet Protocol address.

IP aliasing

This enables several IP addresses (aliases) to be allocated to one physical network interface. With IP aliasing, the user can continue communicating with the same IP address, even though the application is now running on another node.

See also Internet Protocol address.

iRMC (integrated Remote Management Controller)

Abbreviation for integrated Remote Management Controller which is one of the hardware mounted in PRIMEQUEST/PRIMERGY.

JOIN (CF)

See Cluster Join Services (CF).

keyword

A word that has special meaning in a programming language. For example, in an RMS configuration file, the keyword object identifies the kind of definition that follows.

leaf object (RMS)

A bottom object in a system graph. In the configuration file, this object definition is at the beginning of the file. A leaf object does not have children.

LEFTCLUSTER (CF)

A node state that indicates that the node cannot communicate with other nodes in the cluster. That is, the node has left the cluster. The reason for the intermediate LEFTCLUSTER state is to avoid the network partition problem.

See also UP (CF), DOWN (CF), network partition (CF), node state (CF).

link (RMS)

Designates a child or parent relationship between specific resources.

local area network

See Reliant Monitor Services (RMS).

local node

The node from which a command or process is initiated.

See also remote node, mirror virtual disk (RCVM).

log file

The file that contains a record of significant system events or messages. The RMS Wizard Tools, the RMS base monitor, and RMS detectors each maintain their own log files.

Management Board

One of the hardware units installed in PRIMEQUEST.

Management Information Base

A hierarchical database of information about the local network device. The database is maintained by network management software such as an SNMP agent.

See also Simple Network Management Protocol.

MDS

See Meta Data Server.

message

A set of data transmitted from one software process to another process, device, or file.

message queue

A designated memory area which acts as a holding place for messages so they can be processed in the same order they were received.

Meta Data Server

GFS daemon that centrally manages the control information, or meta-data, of a file system.

MIB

See Management Information Base.

MIPC

Mesh Interprocessor Communication

mirror virtual disk (RCVM)

Mirror virtual disks consist of two or more physical devices, and all output operations are performed simultaneously on all of the devices.

See also concatenated virtual disk (RCVM), simple virtual disk (RCVM), striped virtual disk (RCVM), virtual disk.

mirrored disks (RCVM)

A set of disks that contain the same data. If one disk fails, the remaining disks of the set are still available, preventing an interruption in data availability.

See also mirrored pieces (RCVM).

mirrored pieces (RCVM)

Physical pieces that together comprise a mirrored virtual disk. These pieces include mirrored disks and data disks.

See also mirrored disks (RCVM).

MMB

Abbreviation for Management Board, which is one of the hardware units installed in PRIMEQUEST.

mount point

The point in the directory tree where a file system is attached.

multihosting

Multiple controllers simultaneously accessing a set of disk drives.

native operating system

The part of an operating system that is always active and translates system calls into activities.

network partition (CF)

This condition exists when two or more nodes in a cluster cannot communicate over the interconnect; however, with applications still running, the nodes can continue to read and write to a shared device, compromising data integrity.

node

A host that is a member of a cluster.

node state (CF)

Every node in a cluster maintains a local state for every other node in that cluster. The node state of every node in the cluster must be either UP, DOWN, or LEFTCLUSTER.

See also UP (CF), DOWN (CF), LEFTCLUSTER (CF).

object (RMS)

A representation of a physical or virtual resource in the RMS configuration file or in a system graph.

See also leaf object (RMS), object definition (RMS), object type (RMS).

object definition (RMS)

An entry in the configuration file that identifies a resource to be monitored by RMS. Attributes included in the definition specify properties of the corresponding resource.

See also attribute (RMS), object (RMS).

object type (RMS)

A category of similar resources monitored as a group, such as disk drives. Each object type has specific properties, or attributes, which limit or define what monitoring or action can occur. When a resource is associated with a particular object type, attributes associated with that object type are applied to the resource.

See also graph (RMS).

online maintenance

The capability of adding, removing, replacing, or recovering devices without shutting or powering off the node.

operating system dependent (CF)

This module provides an interface between the native operating system and the abstract, OS-independent interface that all Cluster Foundation modules depend upon.

Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC)

Oracle RAC allows access to all data in a database to users and applications in a clustered or MPP (massively parallel processing) platform. Formerly known as Oracle Parallel Server (OPS).

OSD (CF)

See operating system dependent (CF).

parent (RMS)

An object in the RMS configuration file or system graph that has at least one child.

See also child (RMS), configuration file (RMS), leaf object (RMS), system graph (RMS).

physical IP address

IP address that is assigned directly to the interface (for example, hme0) of a network interface card.

primary node (RMS)

The default node on which a user application comes online when RMS is started. This is always the node name of the first child listed in the userApplication object definition.

PRIMECLUSTER services (CF)

Service modules that provide services and internal interfaces for clustered applications.

private network addresses

Private network addresses are a reserved range of IP addresses specified by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Modern switches and routers prevent these addresses from being routed to the Internet, allowing two or more organizations to assign the same private addresses for internal use without causing conflicts or security risks.

private resource (RMS)

A resource accessible only by a single node and not accessible to other RMS nodes.

See also resource (RMS), shared resource.

public LAN

The local area network (LAN) by which normal users access a machine.

See also administrative LAN.

queue

See message queue.

redundancy

The capability of one component to assume the resource load of another physically similar component in case the original component fails or is shut down. Common examples include RAID hardware and/or RAID software to replicate data stored on secondary storage devices, multiple network connections to provide alternate data paths, and multiple nodes that can be dynamically reprovisioned to maintain critical services in a cluster.

Reliant Monitor Services (RMS)

The package that maintains high availability of user-specified resources by providing monitoring and switchover capabilities.

remote node

A node that is accessed through a LAN or telecommunications line.

See also local node, node.

reporting message (RMS)

A message that a detector uses to report the state of a particular resource to the base monitor.

resource (RMS)

A hardware or software element (private or shared) that provides a function, such as a mirrored disk, mirrored disk pieces, or a database server. A local resource is monitored only by the local node.

See also private resource (RMS), shared resource.

resource definition (RMS)

See object definition (RMS).

resource label (RMS)

The name of the resource as displayed in a system graph.

resource state (RMS)

Current state of a resource.

RMS

See queue.

RMS commands (RMS)

Commands that enable RMS resources to be administered from the command line.

RMS configuration (RMS)

A configuration made up of two or more nodes connected to shared resources. Each node has its own copy of operating system and RMS software, as well as its own applications.

RMS Wizard Kit (RMS)

RMS configuration products that have been designed for specific applications. Each component of the Wizard Kit includes customized default settings, subapplications, detectors, and scripts.

See also RMS Wizard Tools (RMS), Reliant Monitor Services (RMS).

RMS Wizard Tools (RMS)

A software package composed of various configuration and administration tools used to create and manage applications in an RMS configuration.

See also, RMS Wizard Kit (RMS), Reliant Monitor Services (RMS).

route

In the PRIMECLUSTER Concepts Guide, this term refers to the individual network paths of the redundant cluster interfaces that connect the nodes to each other.

SAN

See Storage Area Network.

scalability

The ability of a computing system to efficiently handle any dynamic change in work load. Scalability is especially important for Internet-based applications where growth caused by Internet usage presents a scalable challenge.

Scalable Internet Services (SIS)

The package that dynamically balances network traffic loads across cluster nodes while maintaining normal client/server sessions for each connection.

script (RMS)

A shell program executed by the base monitor in response to a state transition in a resource. The script may cause the state of a resource to change.

service node (SIS)

Service nodes provide one or more TCP services (such as FTP, Telnet, and HTTP) and receive client requests forwarded by the gateway nodes.

See also database node (SIS), gateway node (SIS), Scalable Internet Services (SIS).

SF

See Shutdown Facility.

shared resource

A resource, such as a disk drive, that is accessible to more than one node.

See also private resource (RMS), resource (RMS).

Shutdown Facility

The Cluster Foundation interface that manages the shutdown and startup of cluster nodes. The SF is automatically invoked during failover operations. It also notifies other Cluster Foundation products of the successful completion of node shutdown so that recovery operations can begin.

Simple Network Management Protocol

A set of protocols that facilitates the exchange of information between managed network devices. The protocols are implemented by software agents residing in the devices. Each agent can read and write data in the local Management Information Base (MIB) in response to SNMP requests from other devices on the network.

See also Management Information Base.

simple virtual disk (RCVM)

Simple virtual disks define either an area within a physical disk partition or an entire partition.

See also concatenated virtual disk (RCVM), mirror virtual disk (RCVM), striped virtual disk (RCVM), virtual disk.

SIS

See Scalable Internet Services (SIS).

SNMP

See Simple Network Management Protocol.

state

See resource state (RMS).

Storage Area Network

The high-speed network that connects multiple, external storage units and storage units with multiple computers. The connections are generally fiber channels.

striped virtual disk (RCVM)

Striped virtual disks consist of two or more pieces. These can be physical partitions or further virtual disks (typically a mirror disk). Sequential I/O operations on the virtual disk can be converted to I/O operations on two or more physical disks. This corresponds to RAID Level 0 (RAID0).

See also concatenated virtual disk (RCVM), mirror virtual disk (RCVM), simple virtual disk (RCVM), virtual disk.

switchover (RMS)

The process by which RMS switches control of a userApplication over from one monitored node to another.

See also automatic switchover (RMS), directed switchover (RMS), failover (RMS, SIS), symmetrical switchover (RMS).

symmetrical switchover (RMS)

This means that every RMS node is able to take on resources from any other RMS node.

See also automatic switchover (RMS), directed switchover (RMS), failover (RMS, SIS), switchover (RMS).

system disk (GDS)

Disk on which the active operating system is installed. System disk refers to the entire disk that contains the slices that are currently operating as one of the following file systems (or the swap area):

/, /usr, /var, /boot, /boot/efi, or swap area

system graph (RMS)

A visual representation (a map) of monitored resources used to develop or interpret the RMS configuration file.

See also configuration file (RMS).

template

See application template (RMS).

type

See object type (RMS).

UP (CF)

A node state that indicates that the node can communicate with other nodes in the cluster.

See also DOWN (CF), LEFTCLUSTER (CF), node state (CF).

virtual disk

A pseudo-device that allows a portion or a combination of physical disks to be treated as a single logical disk. The virtual disk driver is inserted between the highest level of the OS logical input/output (I/O) system and the physical device driver(s), allowing all logical I/O requests to be mapped to the appropriate area on the physical disk(s).

See also concatenated virtual disk (RCVM), mirror virtual disk (RCVM), simple virtual disk (RCVM), striped virtual disk (RCVM).

Web-Based Admin View

A Java-based, OS-independent interface to Cluster Foundation management components.

See also Cluster Admin.

wizard (RMS)

An interactive software tool that creates a specific type of application using pretested object definitions.

Wizard Kit (RMS)

See RMS Wizard Kit (RMS).

Wizard Tools (RMS)

See RMS Wizard Kit (RMS).