See Access Client.
GFS kernel module on each node that communicates with the Meta Data Server and provides simultaneous access to a shared file system.
In PRIMECLUSTER configurations, an administrative LAN is a private local area network (LAN) on which machines such as the System Console and Cluster operation management PC reside. Because normal users do not have access to the administrative LAN, it provides an extra level of security. The use of an administrative LAN is optional.
See also public LAN.
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.
A shared boundary between a service provider and the application that uses that service.
A predefined group of object definition value choices used by RMS Wizard kit to create object definitions for a specific type of application.
The part of an object definition that specifies how the base monitor acts and reacts for a particular object type during normal operations.
This function is provided by the Enhanced Support Facility (ESF), and it automatically switches the server power on and off.
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 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.
This RIMECLUSTER module resides on top of the basic OS and provides internal interfaces for the CF (Cluster Foundation) functions that the RIMECLUSTER services use in the layer above.
See also Cluster Foundation (CF).
The RMS module that maintains the availability of resources. The base monitor is supported by daemons and detectors. Each host being monitored has its own copy of the base monitor.
BMC (Baseboard Management Controller)
A dedicated processor for monitoring and diagnosis of environmental factors (e.g. temperature, voltage) and parts and units.
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.
See Cluster Foundation (CF). Cluster Foundation or Cluster Framework
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).
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).
A Java-based, OS-independent management tool for PRIMECLUSTER 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 Configuration Backup and Restore (Solaris)
CCBR provides a simple method to save the current PRIMECLUSTER configuration information of a cluster node. It also provides a method to restore the configuration information.
The set of PRIMECLUSTER modules that provides basic clustering communication services.
See also base cluster foundation (CF).
The set of private network connections used exclusively for PRIMECLUSTER communications.
This PRIMECLUSTER module handles the forming of a new cluster and the addition of nodes.
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.
See single console.
See detector (RMS).
See generic type (RMS).
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).
A process that monitors the state of a specific object type and reports a change in the resource state to the RMS base monitor.
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.
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).
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 PRIMECLUSTER modules.
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.
Event Notification Services (CF)
This PRIMECLUSTER module provides an atomic-broadcast facility for events.
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), symmetrical switchover (RMS), switchover (RMS).
One of the LAN duplexing modes presented by GLS. This mode uses a multiplexed LAN simultaneously to provide enhanced communication scalability between servers, and highspeed switchover if a LAN failure occurs.
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).
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).
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).
This optional product provides direct, simultaneous accessing of the file system on the shared storage unit from two or more nodes within a cluster.
This PRIMECLUSTER optional module provides network high availability solutions by multiplying a network route.
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).
See system graph (RMS).
A computer interface with windows, icons, toolbars, and pull-down menus that is designed to be simpler to use than the command-line interface.
A system design philosophy in which redundant resources are used to avoid single points of failure.
See also Reliant Monitor Services (RMS).
Intelligent Platform Management Interface
A firmware and hardware specification that provides common interfaces for monitoring and managing computers. IPMI operates through an onboard Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) on the target machine to provide OS-independent remote management functions, whether or not the target machine is powered on.
A numeric address that can be assigned to computers or applications.
See also IP aliasing.
Internode communication facility
This module is the network transport layer for all PRIMECLUSTER 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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
See public LAN.
The node from which a command or process is initiated.
See also remote node, node.
The file that contains a record of significant system events or messages. The Wizard Tools, the RMS base monitor, and RMS detectors each maintain their own log files as well.
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.
See Meta Data Server.
A designated memory area which acts as a holding place for messages so they can be processed in the same order they were received.
GFS daemon that centrally manages the control information, or meta-data, of a file system.
The part of an operating system that is always active and translates system calls into activities.
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.
One of the LAN duplexing modes presented by GLS. The duplexed NIC is used exclusively, and LAN monitoring between the server and the switching HUB, and switchover if an error is detected are implemented.
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).
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).
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 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 generic type (RMS).
The capability of adding, removing, replacing, or recovering devices without shutting or powering off the host.
operating system dependent (CF)
This module provides an interface between the native operating system and the abstract, OS-independent interface that all PRIMECLUSTER 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).
An object in the configuration file or system graph that has at least one child.
See also child (RMS), configuration file (RMS), and system graph (RMS).
IP address that is directly assigned to the interface of a network interface card (for example, hme0).
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.
Service modules that provide services and internal interfaces for clustered applications.
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.
A resource accessible only by a single host and not accessible to other RMS hosts.
See also resource (RMS), shared resource.
The local area network (LAN) by which normal users access a machine.
See also administrative LAN.
See message queue.
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.
A node that is accessed through a LAN or telecommunications line.
See also local node, node.
A message that a detector uses to report the state of a particular resource to the base monitor.
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 host.
See also private resource (RMS), shared resource.
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.
Each component of RMS Wizard Kit adds new menu items to the RMS Wizard Tools of the specific applications (Oracle and Networker).
See also RMS Wizard Tools (RMS), Reliant Monitor Services (RMS), and wizard (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).
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.
Shutdown Agent. SA forcibly stops the target node by receiving instructions from the Shutdown Facility.
See Storage Area Network.
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.
See single console.
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 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), and Scalable Internet Services (SIS).
A resource, such as a disk drive, that is accessible to more than one node.
See also private resource (RMS), resource (RMS).
A facility that forcibly stops a node in which a failure has occurred. When PRIMECLUSTER decides that system has reached a state in which the quorum is not maintained, it uses the Shutdown Facility (SF) to return the cluster system to the quorum state.
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.
The workstation that acts as the single point of administration for nodes being monitored by RMS. The single console software, SCON, is run from the single console.
See resource state (RMS).
The high-speed network that connects multiple, external storage units and storage units with multiple computers. The connections are generally fiber channels.
A part of the configuration template that is designed to configure one resource type for high availability. The RMS configuration may include multiple instances of each resource type. The Generic template contains subapplications for commands, application controllers, IP addresses, virtual network interfaces, local and remote file systems, volume managers, and storage managers.
LAN duplexing mode presented by GLS. There are switching mode types: fast switching mode, NIC switching mode, GS/SURE linkage mode (Solaris), GS linkage mode (Linux), virtual NIC mode, and multipath mode (Solaris).
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).
This means that every RMS host is able to take on resources from any other RMS host.
See also automatic switchover (RMS), directed switchover (RMS), failover (RMS, SIS), switchover (RMS).
When the power of one node is turned in the cluster system configured with PRIMEPOWER, this function turns on all other powered-off nodes and disk array unit that are connected to nodes through RCI cables.
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):
For Solaris: /, /usr, /var, or swap area
For Linux: /, /usr, /var, /boot, /boot/efi, or swap area
A visual representation (a map) of monitored resources used to develop or interpret the RMS configuration file.
See also configuration file (RMS).
See object type (RMS).
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).
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 subapplication (RMS).
A Java-based, OS-independent interface to PRIMECLUSTER management components.
See also Cluster Admin.
An interactive software tool that creates a specific type of application using pretested object definitions.
