Installation guide

Figure 1.3, “GFS and GNBD with Directly Connected Storage” shows how Linux client applica-

tions can take advantage of an existing Ethernet topology to gain shared access to all block

storage devices. Client data files and file systems can be shared with GFS on each client. Ap-

plication failover can be fully automated with Red Hat Cluster Suite.

Figure 1.3. GFS and GNBD with Directly Connected Storage

3. GFS Functions

GFS is a native file system that interfaces directly with the VFS layer of the Linux kernel file-

system interface. GFS is a cluster file system that employs distributed metadata and multiple

journals for optimal operation in a cluster. Cluster management of GFS nodes is managed

through Red Hat Cluster Suite. Volume management is managed through CLVM (Cluster Logic-

al Volume Manager). For information about Red Hat Cluster Suite refer to Configuring and Man-

aging a Red Hat Cluster. For information about using CLVM, refer to LVM Administrator's

Guide.

Note

CLVM is a cluster-wide implementation of LVM, enabled by the CLVM daemon,

clvmd running in a Red Hat Cluster Suite cluster. The daemon makes it possible to

use LVM2 to manage logical volumes across a cluster, allowing all nodes in the

cluster to share the logical volumes.

3. GFS Functions