campus cluster cases

[Wayne Green]

Trying to build a case for a campus cluster as the critical nature of these systems and the transactions are running into the $bigbucks.

Servers are L Class/RP5470 running HPUX11.0 serviceguard 11.09 (yes it needs an upgrade) Currently 2 x two node clusters, each cluster at different sites using FC hubs and 3 x FC60 arrays. 1.8TB total over all 4 machines. Bespoke app running on Oracle database. Distance between sites is around 4 - 6 miles.

Been reading HPs blueprints for disaster tolerant enterprise solutions and wonder what is being used, would be recommended. Seems most of these are suggesting the high end XP or EMC arrays. I've also seen HSG80s mentioned in connection with Oracle DRM.

You would think resilience is the deciding factor but experience has shown otherwise so as a minimum I have been looking at brocade switches, using LVM mirroring and VA arrays either with the FC60s or as replacement as I know there is a big jump in cost to the XP/EMC arrays.

[Pete Randall]

Wayne,

You would do well to phase out the FC60 arrays. HP has already indicated that they will be withdrawn from support. The VA arrays seem to be a good choice from what I've heard: reliable, fast, versitile. However, I have to wonder what will be introduced next as HP continues to leverage the newly acquired Compaq technologies. I'd look into used VA's to keep the price down and wait to invest the big bucks later on.

Just my $.02!


Pete

[Chris Vail]

You might discuss this with your friendly neighborhood EMC rep. They're hurting BAD for business these days, and have really dropped their prices. Also check out the refurb/used market. You can save some big bucks that way.
They're proposing that we exchange our 8830's for the new DMX machines--after warranty and such, the cost is about even. That means that they'll have some 8830's to sell as well. Repeat that process a hundred times across the country, and that means there is some bargains to be had on some disks.


Chris

[Jarle Bjorgeengen]

Hi there,

If you are not prepared for the cost of XP/Continous access/Raid Manager, go for FC-SAN across both sites, and do LVM mirroring or VxVM mirroring onto your existing FC 60's or upgrade to EVA (Enterpris Virtual array) or VA. EVA is cheap these days compared to performance you get.

Rgds Jarle

[Wayne Green]

Thanks for your ideas. Think I'll need to delve into the hardware market for some comparisons. But timing is everything, need to be first in line and shout the loudest.

Well reasoning hasn't work so far but I'm not bitter.

[Stephen Doud]

Chris Vail mentioned EMC's DMX product.
At the time of this writing, the DMX product has not been tested and certified to work with HP-UX, hence HP does not "support" this configuration.

This does not mean it does not work with HP-UX or ServiceGuard. (We haven't verified that).

"Un-supported" means that HP is under no obligation to assist beyond identifying (when under software/hardware contracts) that combination may well be the cause of a particular problem.

-Stephen