Use the following section to identify the hardware components
required for the cluster configuration.
Hardware
Quantity
Description
Required
Cluster nodes
16 (maximum supported)
Each node must provide enough PCI slots, network slots,
and storage adapters for the cluster hardware
configuration. Because attached storage devices must have the
same device special file on each node, it is recommended that
the nodes have symmetric I/O subsystems. It is also recommended
that the processor speed and amount of system memory be adequate
for the processes run on the cluster nodes. Refer to Section 2.3.1 Installing the Basic Cluster Hardware for more information.
Yes
Table 2-4. Cluster Node Hardware
Table 2-5 includes several different
types of fence devices.
A single cluster requires only one type of power switch.
Type
Description
Models
Network-attached power switches.
Remote
(LAN, Internet) fencing using RJ45 Ethernet connections and
remote terminal access to the device.
APC
MasterSwitch 92xx/96xx; WTI NPS-115/NPS-230, IPS-15,
IPS-800/IPS-800-CE and TPS-2
Fabric Switches.
Fence control interface integrated in several models of
fabric switches used for Storage Area Networks (SANs). Used as
a way to fence a failed node from accessing shared data.
Remote power management features in various brands of
server systems; can be used as a fencing agent in cluster
systems
HP Integrated Lights-out (iLO), IBM BladeCenter with
firmware dated 7-22-04 or later
Table 2-5. Fence Devices
Table 2-7 through Table 2-8 show a variety of hardware components for
an administrator to choose from. An individual cluster does
not require all of the components listed in
these tables.
Hardware
Quantity
Description
Required
Network interface
One for each network connection
Each network connection requires a network interface
installed in a node.
Yes
Network switch or hub
One
A network switch or hub allows connection of multiple
nodes to a network.
Yes
Network cable
One for each network interface
A conventional network cable, such as a cable with an
RJ45 connector, connects each network interface to a network
switch or a network hub.
Yes
Table 2-6. Network Hardware Table
Hardware
Quantity
Description
Required
Host bus adapter
One per node
To connect to shared disk storage,
install either a parallel SCSI or a Fibre Channel host bus
adapter in a PCI slot in each cluster node.
For parallel SCSI, use a low voltage differential
(LVD) host bus adapter. Adapters have either HD68 or VHDCI
connectors.
Yes
External disk storage enclosure
At least one
Use Fibre Channel or
single-initiator parallel SCSI to connect the cluster
nodes to a single or dual-controller RAID array. To use
single-initiator buses, a RAID controller must have multiple
host ports and provide simultaneous access to all the
logical units on the host ports. To use a dual-controller
RAID array, a logical unit must fail over from one
controller to the other in a way that is transparent to the
OS.
SCSI RAID arrays that
provide simultaneous access to all logical units on the
host ports are recommended.
To ensure symmetry of device IDs and LUNs, many RAID
arrays with dual redundant controllers must be configured
in an active/passive mode.
SCSI cables with 68 pins connect each host bus adapter to
a storage enclosure port. Cables have either HD68 or VHDCI
connectors. Cables vary based on adapter type.
Only for parallel SCSI configurations
SCSI terminator
As required by hardware configuration
For a RAID storage enclosure that uses "out" ports (such
as FlashDisk RAID Disk Array) and is connected to
single-initiator SCSI buses, connect terminators to the "out"
ports to terminate the buses.
Only for parallel SCSI configurations and only as
necessary for termination
Fibre Channel hub or switch
One or two
A Fibre Channel hub or switch may be required.
Only for some Fibre Channel configurations
Fibre Channel cable
As required by hardware configuration
A Fibre Channel cable connects a host bus adapter to a
storage enclosure port, a Fibre Channel hub, or a Fibre
Channel switch. If a hub or switch is used, additional cables
are needed to connect the hub or switch to the storage adapter
ports.
Only for Fibre Channel configurations
Table 2-7. Shared Disk Storage Hardware Table
Hardware
Quantity
Description
Required
UPS system
One or more
Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
systems protect against downtime if a power outage
occurs. UPS systems are highly recommended for cluster
operation. Connect the power cables for the shared
storage enclosure and both power switches to redundant UPS
systems. Note that a UPS system must be able to provide
voltage for an adequate period of time, and should be
connected to its own power circuit.
Strongly recommended for availability
Table 2-8. UPS System Hardware Table
Hardware
Quantity
Description
Required
Terminal server
One
A terminal server enables you to manage many nodes
remotely.
No
KVM
One
A KVM enables multiple nodes to share one keyboard,
monitor, and mouse. Cables for connecting nodes to the
switch depend on the type of KVM.
