Getting Started with Clustering

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


Meeting System Requirements for Clustering

ZENworks Server Management components can be installed in a cluster that meets the following requirements:


Cluster-Enabling Shared Volumes for Use with ZENworks Server Management Components

Cluster-enabling the shared volumes where ZENworks Server Management 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

cluster_name_volume_name (default object name)
A new Volume object represents the cluster-enabled volume. It is 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 is named ZFSCLUSTER_ZFSVOL1.

New Server object

cluster_name_volume_name_SERVER (default object name)
A new Server object represents 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 is named ZFSCLUSTER_ZFSVOL1_SERVER.

New Volume Resource object

volume_name_SERVER.clustername (default object name)
A new Volume Resource object stores 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 is named ZFSVOL1_SERVER.ZFSCLUSTER.

IMPORTANT:  The default object names include the underscore (_) character. However, 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 can 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 ZENworks Server Management 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 ZENworks Server Management components.

  4. Install a ZENworks Server Management component in the cluster, following the instructions in:


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 need this information as you install ZENworks Server Management components in the cluster: