Getting Started with Clustering

Before you install a ZfS component in a clustered environment, you must install Novell Cluster Services and perform some preparatory tasks:


Meeting System Requirements for Clustering

ZfS components can be installed in a cluster that meets the following requirements:


Installing Novell Cluster Services

Install Novell Cluster Services by following the instructions provided in NetWare Cluster Services Overview and Installation for your version of NetWare:

The installation process includes:

As you install Novell Cluster Services, record key information about the cluster. You will need this information as you install ZfS components in the cluster:


Cluster-Enabling Shared Volumes for Use with ZfS Components

Cluster-enabling the shared volumes where ZfS components are installed is required.


Understanding Cluster-Enabling

To review the concept of cluster-enabled shared volumes, see the applicable section of Novell Cluster Services Overview and Installation for your version of NetWare:

When you cluster-enable a volume, additional eDirectory objects are created:

Object Object Name and Description

New Volume object

clustername_volumename (default object name)
A new Volume object will represent the cluster-enabled volume. It will be created by renaming the original Volume object that was tied to a physical server and associating it with a virtual server instead.

For example, if your cluster name is ZFSCLUSTER and your original volume name is ZFSVOL1, the new Volume object representing the cluster-enabled volume would be named ZFSCLUSTER_ZFSVOL1.

New Server object

clustername_volumename_SERVER (default object name)
A new Server object will represent the virtual server to which the new cluster-enabled volume is tied.

Continuing with the above example, the new Server object representing the virtual server would be named ZFSCLUSTER_ZFSVOL1_SERVER.

New Volume Resource object

volumename_SERVER.clustername (default object name)
A new Volume Resource object will store property information for the cluster-enabled volume. The Volume Resource object is created in the Cluster container object.

Continuing with the above example, the new Volume Resource object would be named ZFSVOL1_SERVER.ZFSCLUSTER.

IMPORTANT:  Notice that the default object names include the underscore (_) character. DNS name servers cannot resolve object names that include underscore characters. If you have met the requirements described in Meeting System Requirements for Clustering , you will be able to rename these objects as needed when you cluster-enable the volume.


Cluster-Enabling a Shared Volume

To cluster-enable a shared volume for use with a ZfS component:

  1. Complete the steps in the applicable section of Novell Cluster Services Overview and Installation for your version of NetWare:

  2. If necessary, rename cluster-related objects to eliminate the underscore (_) characters that are included by default.

  3. Repeat Step 1 and Step 2 above for the other shared volumes that need to be cluster-enabled for use with ZfS components.

  4. Install a ZfS component in the cluster, following the instructions in:

Remote Management cannot be installed in a clustered environment, since its function is to directly control individual servers.