Time estimates for ServiceGuard/oracle installation

[Dan Hetzel]

Hi all,

We need to plan a ServiceGuard installation on a 2 nodes cluster with one Oracle Instance.
I have no idea of the time needed to configure it - for a ServiceGard expert, of course, not me ;-)
What's the additional time needed for a second instance?

I'm convinced that you could give me install time figures for the same with SAP. That would be great !!

Thanks a lot in advance,

Dan

[MARTINACHE]

Hi Dan,

First of all, I need more info :

- Is there only an oracle database or are there some applications ?

- Does the second Node sleep and wait for a crash or not ?

- What kind of backups do you need ?

- How many Lan card do you have and what kind of data do they support ?

Patrice.

[Dan Hetzel]

Hi Patrice,

The first cluster will be dedicated to Oracle with one or 2 instances.

It hasn't been decided yet if the second node will be sleeping or not.

Client uses plain cold (offline) Oracle backups as timeframe still allows database shutdown/restart.

Systems are connected to EMC disk array through Connectrix SAN. 2 or 3 Tachyon cards per server.

Best regards,

Dan

[MARTINACHE]

1) Packages

First, you have to describe your packages.

You will certainly have a package for oracle database but perharps others.

1 package means : 1 IP address, 1 or more Vgs.

The most difficult is not the installation but the start, stop, monitoring script writing.

2) SG Oracle Toolkit

I don't suggest you to use this toolkit.
monitoring script will only do a "ps" of oracle processes.
I prefere an sqlplus XXX/YYY@ZZZ which is a real test.

If all the scripts are prepared before install, this will take only 1 day or 2 days.

If you have specific questions, I'm ready.

Regards,

Patrice.

[Byron Myers]

Dan, as a reference point, HP services will typically require 2 weeks (and a lot of moola) for setting up one SAP CI with Oracle. Personally, I would not commit to less than one calendar month.

[Ajay Sishodia]

My guess would be a week at the most even if you do it :)
Creating a two node cluster shouldn't take more than 3-4 hrs for an expert. The oracle package will take like another day with the HP's oracle toolkit, including the instance creation and all that.

Ajay

[Carlos Fernandez Riera]

Before instalation you need to draw all hardware ( disk, disk connection, networks..), software (SG, mirror-ux, oracle...) and configurations ( networks, vgs, mirrors disks, ...) to get a full HA environment.

If this is your first S/G you will like to do lots of tests to understand S/G and to check that your configuration falls/raise packet(s) correctly.

I use to take at less 3 weeks to put it into production.

[Victor BERRIDGE]

Hi Dan,
Congrats, really well done, it was well deserved... lots of things evolved while off ill...
I will soon be facing my first service-guard installation (5 march), but it will be done with HP, they have planned 5 days for the installation of the 2 machines (L2000)+ 2 brocades switches to the HDS9960 (XP512 - Yes Stephan I made it...) with the testing...
And 5 days for the installation of Oracle App. and testing...
So it seems to take a good 2 weeks minimum...and if I start before you I will let you know how its going on if you wish...

All the best
Victor

[Dan Hetzel]

Hi Victor,

Thanks a lot. I hope you're feeling better now.

You'll surely start your installation well before I will, so I'd really appreciate all your comments and recommendations. My email is part of my personal quote if you don't want to open a thread just to le me know. ;-)

I used to 'supervise' a ServiceGuard installation when I was working for Michelin (France). The installation was done by a small french company, that HP France was considering as partners.
That was 3 years ago and I didn't put my hands on a cluster since then.
One thing I remember is that the cluster installation on its own was quite straightforward, but when they started adding packages with Oracle and Oracle Financials it turned close to a nightmare... 8-(
At the end of the day, Michelin decided to abandon clustering... I don't know if they changed their mind since then. I sincerely wish you better luck.

That's the reason why I'd like to collect as many feedback, tips and techniques as possible.

Warmest regards,

Dan