3.6.0 Matrix Server 3.6.0 Administration Guide (5697-7081, December 2007)

Introduction to Matrix Server

PolyServe Matrix Server provides a matrix structure for managing a

group of network servers and a Storage Area Network (SAN) as a single

entity.

Product Features

Matrix Server includes the following features:

• Fully distributed data-sharing environment. The PSFS filesystem

enables all servers in the matrix to directly access shared data stored

on a SAN. After a PSFS filesystem has been created on a SAN disk, all

servers in the matrix can access the filesystem and perform concurrent

read and/or write operations to it. PSFS is a journaling filesystem and

provides online crash recovery. It is designed to be performant,

scalable, highly recoverable, and highly available.

• Availability and reliability. Servers and SAN components (FC switches

and RAID subsystems) can be added to a matrix with minimal impact,

as long as the operation is supported by the underlying operating

system. Matrix Server includes failover mechanisms that enable the

matrix to continue operations without interruption when various

types of failures occur. If network communications fail between any or

all servers in the matrix, Matrix Server maintains the coherency and

integrity of all shared data in the matrix.

• Matrix-wide administration. The PolyServe Management Console (a

Java-based graphical user interface) and the corresponding command-