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Managing MC/ServiceGuard NFS: HP 9000 Networking > Chapter 1 Overview of MC/ServiceGuard NFS

Supported Configurations

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MC/ServiceGuard NFS supports the following configurations:

  • Simple failover from an active NFS server node to an idle NFS server node.

  • Failover from one active NFS server node to another active NFS server node, where the adoptive node supports more than one NFS package after the failover.

  • A host configured as an adoptive node for more than one NFS package. The host may also be prevented from adopting more than one failed package at a time.

  • Cascading failover, where a package may have up to three adoptive nodes.

  • Server-to-server cross mounting, where one server may mount another server's file systems, and the mounts are not interrupted when one server fails.

These configurations are illustrated in the following sections.

Simple Failover to an Idle NFS Server

Figure 1-1 “Simple Failover to an Idle NFS Server” shows a simple failover from an active NFS server node to an idle NFS server node.

Figure 1-1 Simple Failover to an Idle NFS Server

Simple Failover to an Idle NFS Server

Node_A is the primary node for NFS server package Pkg_1. When Node_A fails, Node_B adopts Pkg_1. This means that Node_B locally mounts the file systems associated with Pkg_1 and exports them. Both Node_A and Node_B must have access to the disks that hold the file systems for Pkg_1.

Failover from One Active NFS Server to Another

Figure 1-2 “Failover from One Active NFS Server to Another” shows a failover from one active NFS server node to another active NFS server node.

Figure 1-2 Failover from One Active NFS Server to Another

Failover from One Active NFS Server to Another

In Figure 1-2 “Failover from One Active NFS Server to Another”, Node_A is the primary node for Pkg_1, and Node_B is the primary node for Pkg_2. When Node_A fails, Node_B adopts Pkg_1 and becomes the server for both Pkg_1 and Pkg_2.

A Host Configured as Adoptive Node for Multiple Packages

Figure 1-3 “A Host Configured as Adoptive Node for Multiple Packages” shows a three-node configuration where one node is the adoptive node for packages on both of the other nodes. If either Node_A or Node_C fails, Node_B adopts the NFS server package from that node.

Figure 1-3 A Host Configured as Adoptive Node for Multiple Packages

A Host Configured as Adoptive Node for Multiple Packages

When Node_A fails, Node_B becomes the server for Pkg_1. If Node_C fails, Node_B will become the server for Pkg_2. Alternatively, you can set the package control option in the NFS control script to prevent Node_B from adopting more than one package at a time. With the package control option, Node_B may adopt the package of the first node that fails, but if the second node fails, Node_B will not adopt its package. The package control option prevents a node from becoming overloaded by adopting too many packages. If an adoptive node becomes overloaded, it can fail.

Cascading Failover, with Three Adoptive Nodes

A package may be configured with up to three adoptive nodes. Figure 1-4 “Cascading Failover, with Three Adoptive Nodes” shows this configuration. If Node_A fails, Pkg_1 is adopted by Node_B. However, if Node_B is down, Pkg_1 is adopted by Node_C, and if Node_C is down, Pkg_1 is adopted by Node_D. The adoptive nodes are listed in the package configuration file, /etc/cmcluster/nfs/nfs.conf, in the order in which they will be tried. Note that all four nodes must have access to the disks for the Pkg_1 file systems.

Figure 1-4 Cascading Failover, with Three Adoptive Nodes

Cascading Failover, with Three Adoptive Nodes

Server-to-Server Cross Mounting

Two NFS server nodes may NFS-mount each other's file systems and still act as adoptive nodes for each other's NFS server packages. Figure 1-5 “Server-to-Server Cross Mounting” illustrates this configuration.

Figure 1-5 Server-to-Server Cross Mounting

Server-to-Server Cross Mounting

The advantage of server-to-server cross-mounting is that every server has an identical view of the file systems. The disadvantage is that, on the node where a file system is locally mounted, the file system is accessed through an NFS mount, which has poorer performance than a local mount.

Each node NFS-mounts the file systems for both packages. If Node_A fails, Node_B mounts the filesystem for Pkg_1, and the NFS mounts are not interrupted.

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