F.3 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:

F.3.1 Meeting System Requirements for Clustering

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

  • DNS

    DNS must be functioning reliably throughout your network so that DNS hostnames and IP addresses can always be successfully resolved.

  • NetWare 6.5 with SP4 or SP5

    or

    OES NetWare with SP2

    or

    OES Linux with SP1

    IMPORTANT:ZENworks does not support mixed NetWare and Linux operating systems within a cluster.

  • Novell iManager for administering ZENworks Server Management in the cluster

  • Novell ConsoleOne® for administering Server Inventory in the cluster

F.3.2 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

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.

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.

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 Section F.3.1, 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:

F.3.3 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:

  • Meeting hardware and software requirements for Novell Cluster Services

  • Setting up a shared disk system

  • Creating a new Cluster object to represent the cluster in eDirectory

  • Adding servers to the cluster

  • Installing the Novell Cluster Services software on all nodes in the cluster

  • Mounting the shared volumes where you install ZENworks Server Management components

As you install Novell Cluster Services, record key information about the cluster. You need the following information as you install ZENworks Server Management components in the cluster:

  • eDirectory tree where you create the Cluster object

  • Name of the Cluster object

  • Context of the Cluster object