Installation guide

16 Chapter 2:Hardware Installation and Operating System Configuration
Problem Solution
Power source failure Redundant uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems.
Data corruption under all failure
conditions
Power switches or hardware-based watchdog timers
A no-single-point-of-failure hardware configuration that guarantees data integrity under all failure
conditions can include the following components:
• Two servers to run cluster services
• Ethernet connection between each system for a heartbeat channel and client network access
• Dual-controller RAID array to replicate quorum partitions and service data
• Two power switches to enable each cluster system to power-cycle the other system during the
failover process
• Point-to-point Ethernet connection between the cluster systems for a redundant Ethernet heartbeat
channel
• Point-to-point serial connection between the cluster systems for a serial heartbeat channel
• Two UPS systems for a highly-available source of power
See Section 2.1.6, Example of a No-Single-Point-Of-Failure Configuration for an example of this type
of hardware configuration.
Cluster hardware configurations can also include other optional hardware components that are com-
mon in a computing environment. For example, a cluster can include a network switch or network
hub, which enables the connection of the cluster systems to a network. A cluster may also include
a console switch, which facilitates the management of multiple systems and eliminates the need for
separate monitors, mouses, and keyboards for each cluster system.
One type of console switch is a terminal server, which enables connection to serial consoles and
management of many systems from one remote location. As a low-cost alternative, you can use a
KVM (keyboard, video, and mouse) switch, which enables multiple systems to share one keyboard,
monitor, and mouse. A KVM is suitable for configurations in which access to a graphical user interface
(GUI) to perform system management tasks is preferred.
When choosing a cluster system, be sure that it provides the PCI slots, network slots, and serial ports
that the hardware configuration requires. For example, a no-single-point-of-failure configuration re-
quires multiple serial and Ethernet ports. Ideally, choose cluster systems that have at least two serial
ports. See Section 2.2.1, Installing the Basic System Hardware for more information.