NetBase for MPE Reference Guide

Welcome to NetBase
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NetBase Functionality
NetBase brings functionality and performance to HP systems that previously was not possible.
Customers faced with expensive upgrades have found that adding a machine and using NetBase to
distribute the computing load is less costly and provides better performance. Companies that own
multiple systems may use NetBase to correct an imbalance in processor loading. In a situation in
which one machine is over-utilized while others are under-utilized, NetBase provides load leveling
techniques to balance the work load across all available machines. In addition, users can build a
fault-tolerant environment without any changes to applications.
Saving on Distribution Performance
Using NetBase, an application designed to run on a single computer can easily be distributed across
multiple computers without modifying the application software. NetBase maintains a directory of
all files and databases available to network users. When an application program accesses a file or
database, NetBase checks its directory. If the file is found to reside on another computer, NetBase
routes the requests to the appropriate machine.
The key to a successful networking solution is performance. Distributing an application across a
network has a limited advantage if the cost outweighs the processing power of the additional
computers. NetBase is designed with features that minimize overhead yet maximize throughput.
Maintaining Multiple Copies
Maintaining multiple copies of files and databases can be useful for a variety of reasons. If 24-hour
availability is important, NetBase can maintain concurrent copies of the data. During a backup,
only the shadowed data is taken off-line while the master copy remains available for the application
to use. Once a backup has finished, NetBase updates the shadowed copy with any changes that have
occurred to the master in the interim.
Other reasons for maintaining multiple copies are heavy read activity and disaster recovery. If some
files are heavily read from a number of computers in the network, it makes sense to maintain local
copies to reduce networking traffic. NetBase uses the local copy for read type activity, and with
NFA installed, automatically switches to the master copy when the application requires update
access. NetBase ensures that all copies are kept in synchronous order. Disaster recovery is
simplified if multiple copies of data exist on the network. If a machine goes down, you can redirect
file access through the NetBase directory to get an application back online in a short period of time.
NetBase has been designed to achieve, simplify, and streamline all of your networking needs.
NetBase allows you to obtain the most out of your hardware and software resources without having
to change current applications.