HP ServiceGuard vs Veritas Cluster Server

[Jimmy Tom_2]

I need to make an inform decision on whether to use SG or VCS. Can anyone provide some insight on which is better or why I would use on over another? Also, can I use the Foundation OS instead of Enterprise OS for VCS? Thx in advance.

[IT_2007]

It really depends on your environment and budget. Both products are good and haveing their own advantage/disadvantages.

VCS may work on Foundation OS. Haven't tried before.

[A. Clay Stephenson]

There is no possible answer except, "it depends".

If you are an HP and Linux only shop then I would tend to favor SG -- mainly because of its long years of development, reliability, and stability. If you need to cluster on many platforms, AIX, Sun, as well as HP then I would seriously consider Veritas.

It also matters what packages you will actually be running. For example, there are many packages for which SG toolkits exist and have been thoroughly tested.

[Armin Kunaschik]

Same thing from me: It depends.

The follwoing is my opinion(!):

VCS is a "monitoring engine" with cluster feature. That means you have to monitor everything. So the quality of your cluster depends on you monitoring scripts... or the Agents you buy from Veritas.
On MC/SG you can decide to NOT monitor applicatons... just switch on hardware failure.

One advantage of VCS is, that you can stop/upgrade/start the cluster engine while applications are running. This is not possible with MC/SG.
On the other hand I consider MC/SG more stable/less problems in case of heartbeat problems. MC/SG toc's systems if necessary. VCS is not able to to that on it's own.

Only one thing: If you plan to use VxVM too don't use HP-UX 11.11/VCS 3.5.
vxconfigd is slow and has many problems and "features".
In 11.23 VxVM works far better/faster... but don't use it on root disks!

If you want to test VCS there is a free version under http://www.symantec.com/enterprise/theme.jsp?themeid=sfbasic
unfortunately not for HP-UX

My 2 cents,
Armin

[Alzhy]

I will possibly opt for VCS anyday - specially if you will be using HP-UX 11i version 2.0 or higher.

Why?

You are already using a Veritas product in the filesystem you use (VxFS which is called Online JFS).

Also,

If you are a heterogeneous enterprise, chances are you have standardized on Veritas Cluster Server already and have also standardized on Veritas Storage Foundation (aka VxVM and VxFS and options.)

I believe you do not need Enterprise or Mission Critical OE to deploy Veritas Cluster Server (or Veritas Storage FOundation for that matter).


HOWEVER, if it is already late 2008. I will pick SG -- vMotion like features are supposed to be coming with SG "soon" ... which means true stateful? package migration..

[Sundar_7]

Jimmy,

I have used both of them and believe each has its own place in the enterprise. As with any product, each has its pros and cons.

In my opinion, ServiceGuard offers lot of control to the administrators than the VCS.

VCS agents can be annoying sometimes to work with and have seen them in "confused" state more often.

If it is purely HP-UX, then you are better off going with Serviceguard. Just my 2 cents :-)

Sundar.

[Steven E. Protter]

Shalom,

The right tool for the right job.

First, lay out what you want it to do.

Then consult the companies or websites and see which product most meets your needs.

Post the needs and those of us with experience will help.

The Enterprise OS vastly increases your software support costs, so only go that route if it provides features and level of support that you need.

We need much, much more to provide you more than the 2 shekel(44 cents) answer.

SEP