Cluster Configuration

Typical cluster configurations normally include a shared disk subsystem connected to all servers in the cluster. The shared disk subsystem can be connected via high-speed fiber channel cards, cables, and switches, or be configured to use shared SCSI. If a server fails, another designated server in the cluster automatically mounts the shared disk volumes previously mounted on the failed server. This gives network users continuous access to the volumes on the shared disk subsystem.

Typical resources might include data (volumes), applications, server licenses, and services. The following figure shows how a typical fiber channel cluster configuration might look.

Figure 3
Typical Fiber Channel Cluster Configuration

Although fiber channel is the recommended configuration, you can configure your cluster to use shared SCSI. The following figure shows how a typical shared SCSI cluster configuration might look.

Figure 4
Typical Shared SCSI Cluster Configuration

Cluster Components

The following components make up a Novell Cluster Services cluster:

• From 2 to 32 NetWare servers configured to use IP, each containing at least one local disk device (used for a local SYS: volume).
• Novell Cluster Services software running on each NetWare server in the cluster.
• A shared disk subsystem connected to all servers in the cluster (optional, but recommended for most configurations).
• High-speed fiber channel cards, cables, and switch or SCSI cards and cables used to connect the servers to the shared disk subsystem.