| General high availability |
| Q1. |
What is high availability (HA) and why is it important? |
| A1. |
HA is something that can be built, managed, and measured. To ensure a highly available environment you should not only consider the hardware, the system software, and applications alone, but you need to also consider the IT processes to minimize both planned and unplanned downtime. HP has all the components to provide the total HA solution for companies requiring 24×7 operations.
There are many business drivers creating the increasing need for high availability.
- Growing customer demand for fast, easy, and continuous access to information & services
- Business processes are dependent on IT infrastructure. No manual backups: when the infrastructure stops working, the business stops working
- Increased competitive pressures
- Globalization of services
- Society and businesses are moving toward a more dynamic and continuously online world
- E-commerce
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| Q2. |
What is a cluster? |
| A2. |
A cluster is a loosely coupled collection of servers and storage devices that are managed by cluster management software. The purpose of clustering is usually to provide high availability of applications and data, although clustering technologies can also be used to achieve performance scalability.
Clustering technologies have been in existence for many years. It is a mature technology that is now becoming more cost-effective, and it is being implemented on a wide range of servers across multiple operating systems.
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| Q3. |
How do I justify clustering for High Availability in my organization? |
| A3. |
Downtime is costly. eBusiness is redefining the way business is conducted and relies on computing resources being accessible round-the-clock to users, customers, partners, remote branches, etc. Even planned downtime, for maintenance or expansion, potentially makes a business unavailable somewhere in the world. With competitors just a mouse-click away, customers can simply go elsewhere if the system doesn't respond.
The easiest way to determine if clustering is appropriate is to determine the cost of downtime for the customer environment, then compare this to the added cost of clustering. It is also wise to determine how critical the applications are to the business operation. Many businesses now consider generic applications as business-critical.
Examples of average cost for just one hour of downtime:
- Finance: Brokerage $6.45M
- E-commerce: Credit card sales authorization $2.6M
- E-commerce: pay per view server $150K
- Retail: Home catalog sales call-center $90K
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| HP Serviceguard for Linux questions |
| Q1. |
What is HP Serviceguard for Linux? |
| A1. |
Serviceguard for Linux(SGLX) is high availability clustering software designed by HP to protect mission-critical applications running on Linux from various software and hardware failures.
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| Q2. |
What are the supported configurations? |
| A2. |
Any HP ProLiant or Integrity server and HP StorageWorks that have been certified for use in a HP Serviceguard for Linux cluster may be mixed and matched in 2- to 4-node SCSI and 2- to 16-node Fibre Channel configurations. For updates on certified hardware, please refer to the latest Serviceguard for Linux Certification Matrix found at www.hp.com/go/sglx.
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| Q3. |
What are the differences between the different versions of Serviceguard for Linux (A.11.15, A.11.16 and A.11.18)? |
| A3. |
The same ProLiant configurations are supported for both versions of Serviceguard for Linux. The versions differ in the Linux distributions and features supported as well as Integrity server support. It should also be noted that each server model must be certified to run on a supported Linux distribution in order for Serviceguard for Linux to function properly.
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| Product numbers(SGLX) |
307754-B24
305199-B24 |
307754-B26
305199-B26 |
x86: 463831-B21 or
T8674AA
Integrity: T2391AA |
Product numbers
(SGeSAP/LX) |
x86: T1227AA
Integrity: T2392AA |
x86: T1227AA
Integrity: T2392AA |
x86: 463834-B21 or
T8677AA
Integrity: T2392AA |
Product numbers
(Oracle DB Toolkit) |
T2376A |
T2376A |
x86: 463833-B21 or
T8676AA
Integrity: T2376A |
Product numbers
(Extended Distance Cluster (XDC)) |
N/A |
T2808AA |
x86: 463835-B21 or
T8678AA
Integrity: T2808AA |
| Servers |
ProLiant and Integrity |
ProLiant and Integrity |
ProLiant and Integrity |
| Distros* |
Red Hat EL 3
SUSE SLES 8 |
Red Hat EL 3
Red Hat EL 4
SUSE SLES 9
SUSE SLES 10 |
Red Hat EL 4
Red Hat EL 5
SUSE SLES 10 |
| 2-node arbitration |
Cluster Lock LUN
Quorum service |
Cluster Lock LUN
Quorum service |
Cluster Lock LUN
Quorum service |
| Serviceguard Manager |
Monitor, manage and administer |
Configure, monitor, manage and administer |
Configure, monitor, manage and administer |
| Stand-Alone |
Stand-Alone |
Plug-In |
Please see the latest Serviceguard for Linux Certification Matrix for current supported errata and service packs.
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| Q4. |
What are the licensing requirements for the different HP Serviceguard for Linux products? |
| A4. |
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| HP Serviceguard for Linux |
x86 Server License & Media
includes 1 Yr 24x7 Software Support & Update |
463831-B21 or T8674AA |
1 per physical server |
| Integrity Processor Core License & Media |
T2391AA#2AH |
1 per processor core |
|
HP Serviceguard Extension
for SAP for Linux (SGeSAP/LX) |
x86 Server License & Media
includes 1 Yr 24x7 Software Support & Updates |
463834-B21 or T8677AA |
1 per physical server |
| Integrity SAP System ID License & Media |
T2392AA#001 |
1st SID per cluster |
| T2392AA#003 |
2nd & 3rd SIDs per cluster |
| T2392AA#999 |
4th and beyond SIDs per cluster |
HP Serviceguard for Linux
Oracle Database Toolkit |
x86 Cluster LTU & Media
includes 1 Yr 24x7 Software Support & Updates |
463833-B21 or T8676AA |
1 per cluster |
| Integrity Cluster License & Media |
T2376A |
1 per cluster |
| Free Toolkits |
Apache, NFS, MySQL, Sendmail, Samba, PostgreSQL, Tomcat |
Download for free at www.software.hp.com |
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HP Serviceguard for Linux
Extended Distance Cluster (XDC) |
x86 Server License & Media
includes 1 Yr 24x7 Software Support & Updates |
463835-B21 or T8678AA |
1 per physical server |
| Integrity Server License & Media |
T2808AA |
1 per physical server |
| HP StorageWorks Cluster Extension for Linux (CLX) |
CLX XP |
T1657A |
1 per physical server
See www.hp.com/go/clxxp |
| CLX EVA |
T4393A |
1 per physical server
See www.hp.com/go/clxeva |
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| HP Serviceguard for Linux technology |
| Q1. |
Why is cluster arbitration needed? |
| A1. |
To protect against data corruption, high availability clustering software must prevent "split brain", the situation where multiple cluster nodes take control of the cluster without being in communication with each other.
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| Q2. |
What alternatives does Serviceguard for Linux provide for cluster arbitration? |
| A2. |
Cluster arbitration is essential to ensure the highest level of availability and data integrity. HP offers two alternatives for this requirement, one of which is required for a 2-node configuration and recommended for 3- or 4-node configurations to cover multiple failures. One method is through cluster lock, which utilizes a shared LUN and determines which node has control of the data. The other method is through a quorum service, which runs on a separate PC or server and can arbitrate up to 50 clusters/100 cluster nodes. One QS provides arbitration service to Linux and HP-UX clusters. This is particularly valuable in split-site configurations, with the QS at a third site, to ensure a cluster can create quorum in the event of a site failure.
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| Q3. |
How is multipath supported? |
| A3. |
HP Serviceguard for Linux utilizes standard ProLiant and Integrity HBA drivers, which enable multipath failover without additional software. SecurePath is also supported to provide incremental benefits, such as load balancing between paths.
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| Q4. |
Do I need Serviceguard for Linux for an Oracle 9i RAC or 10g environment? |
| A4. |
Unlike the HP-UX environment, where SGeRAC is a necessary component, Oracle 9i or 10g RAC for Linux includes the clusterware. There is no corresponding SGeRAC for Linux needed for this environment. Serviceguard for Linux may be used at the application tier on the same or other servers. Serviceguard can co-exist with a RAC cluster to provide failover of applications. Please review the white paper, "Consolidating HP Serviceguard for Linux and Oracle RAC 10g Cluster" at http://www.hp.com/info/sglx.
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| Q5. |
What is exclusive activation of disk volumes? |
| A5. |
Exclusive activation of disk volumes allows only one node in a cluster to activate a volume group, ensuring that data is only accessible from one server at a time. Some logical volume managers (LVMs) have this feature built-in. The standard LVM with Linux does not. Serviceguard for Linux uses other features of the latest Linux LVM to provide its own "exclusive activation" functionality. |
| Support and services |
| Q1. |
How will the current customers upgrade to the new release? |
| A1. |
Current HP Serviceguard for Linux customers who have a support contract will be able to receive the new released software at no charge. Customers without a support contract will have to purchase new licenses. |
| Q2. |
What support is available with HP Serviceguard for Linux? |
| A2. |
One year of 24x7 Software Technical Support & Updates is included with all HP Serviceguard for Linux products for HP ProLiant and supported 3rd party x86-class servers. Three year uplifts are also available.
For HP Serviceguard for Linux products on HP Integrity servers, a complete portfolio of support is available today with HP Serviceguard for Linux for customers with different needs for their HA environment - from 8×5 to Critical Support Services are available through your HP account representative. Care packs are available for one and three year software support to simplify ensuring the high availability environment is protected and to provide updates for the product.
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| Q3. |
What services are available with HP Serviceguard for Linux? |
| A3. |
HP provides several HA and Business Continuity Consulting Services specifically for Linux:
- Hewlett Packard Business Continuity Services
- Audit/Risk Analysis
- Identifies risks and exposures in current environment
- Provides recommendations to minimize exposures and safeguard information assets
- Provides recommendations to improve level of recoverability
- Business Impact Analysis
- Identifies critical business processes which would have the most impact to your business, if not available for a pre-defined periods of time
- Defines operational and financial impact to business
- Defines requirements necessary for continuity
- Technical Infrastructure Design
- Designs technical plan for supporting infrastructure
- Provides expertise on best ways to utilize infrastructure to support availability needs
- High-Availability/infrastructure services
- Integration design services
- Serviceguard implementation
- Evaluate the HP computer systems for compatibility with Serviceguard
- Evaluate the application environment for compatibility with Serviceguard
- Architect and design the high availability implementation
- Install, configure and customize Serviceguard with the customer's applications
- Test the implemented environment against predefined failure scenarios
- Optionally provide mentoring for the new high availability environment
- Document the new high availability environment
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| Complementary Products |
| Q1. |
Which application toolkits are available? |
| A1. |
The following Application Integration Toolkits (AITs) are available at no charge for quick implementation: Apache, MySQL, NFS, PostgresSQL, Samba, Tomcat and Sendmail. All are available from the high availability section on the HP software website, www.hp.com/go/softwaredepot/ha.
For charge Application Integration Toolkits (AITs) with specialized functionality and features are also available for Oracle single instance Database and SAP.
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| Q2. |
What if I want to cluster an application that does not currently have a toolkit available? |
| A2. |
HP offers the Serviceguard Developers Toolbox Program for no charge as a framework to facilitate quick and easy integration of an application with HP Serviceguard on HP-UX and/or Linux. Information on this program is available from www.hp.com/go/dsppha or www.hp.com/go/Serviceguard. Customers may also take advantage of HP's Consulting services or in-house scripting expertise.
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| Q3. |
Where can I get more information about HP Serviceguard Extension for SAP for Linux? |
| A3. |
HP and SAP provide high availability for mission-critical SAP applications through fast, automated failure detection and application restoration. Working together, HP and SAP have combined their world-class support with a standardized solution called HP Serviceguard Extension for SAP, which expands HP Serviceguard's powerful failover capabilities to SAP environments. More information is available from http:/www.hp.com/go/sap/sgesap.
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| Q4. |
Where can I get more information about HP's disaster tolerance products for Linux, Cluster Extension and HP Serviceguard Extended Distance Cluster for Linux? |
| A4. |
Cluster Extension (CLX) is HP's metropolitan-wide clustering solution for the Linux platform, integrating HP Serviceguard for Linux and HP Continuous Access XP or EVA software. CLX provides reliable site recovery in the event of a fault, failure, or disaster by enabling automatic failover and failback of storage data to a secondary site, allowing critical data to be available to users in minutes.
More information is available from http://www.hp.com/go/clxxp and http://www.hp.com/go/clxeva.
HP Serviceguard Extended Distance Cluster for Linux is a disaster-tolerant solution that is storage-array independent and provides failover and failback capabilities up to 100 km. It employs software RAID mirroring and is based on open source components.
More information is available from http://www.hp.com/go/xdclinux.
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| Q5. |
Why is the HP Serviceguard for Linux / Red Hat Global File System (GFS) Bundle no longer available? |
| A5. |
HP Serviceguard for Linux and Red Hat GFS is a tested, proven solution that provides continuous access to both applications/services and data, and the ability to scale for performance without creating management complexity.
The bundled product was a single product number from HP meant to simplify ordering and provide lower bundled pricing. Support for each component was available from the respective vendors - GFS was supported by Red Hat at the support level selected for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and HP Serviceguard for Linux support was available for purchase from HP.
The HP Serviceguard for Linux A.11.16 and Red Hat Global File System bundle is supported by Serviceguard for Linux A.11.16 only. The bundle will no longer be offered from HP as of April 1, 2008 to coincide with the end-of-sales for HP Serviceguard for Linux A.11.16. The bundle will not be updated to include HP Serviceguard for Linux A.11.18. This change is being made because Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Advanced Platform now includes GFS.
Existing customers currently still under an active subscription will be contacted and receive a license to use (LTU) for HP Serviceguard for Linux in perpetuity, which will not expire as the subscription did. Software updates and support will need to be purchased separately.
Customers migrating to Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 should purchase the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Advanced Platform subscription from either HP or Red Hat, which includes GFS. Advanced Platform pricing is the same as Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 AS. Customers continuing to run on Enterprise Linux 4 simply need to renew their expired GFS subscription through either HP or Red Hat.
HP and Red Hat remain committed to the continued support of Red Hat GFS with Serviceguard for Linux. These changes are solely meant to accommodate recent packaging changes, and our work on proving and testing coexistence continues.
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