1 HP 3PAR Cluster Extension features

HP 3PAR Cluster Extension offers protection against application downtime due to a fault, failure, or site disaster by extending a local cluster between data centers over metropolitan distance. HP 3PAR Cluster Extension reinstates critical applications at a remote site within minutes of an adverse event, integrating your open-system clustering software and HP 3PAR Remote Copy to automate failover and failback between sites. This dual integration enables the cluster software to verify the status of the storage and the server cluster. The cluster software can then make correct failover and failback decisions, thus minimizing downtime and accelerating recovery.

Integration into cluster software (Graphical user interface)

HP 3PAR Cluster Extension Software provides tight integration with the cluster software and is managed as a resource of the clustered application service (like a disk or IP address).

HP 3PAR Cluster Extension integrates with Microsoft Failover Cluster (MSFC).

For supported cluster software versions, see the HP SPOCK website: http://www.hp.com/storage/ spock

HP 3PAR Cluster Extension can be configured using the Failover Cluster Management GUI. HP 3PAR Cluster Extension offers full integration into the GUI so that you can easily set and change resource values.

CLI for easy integration

HP 3PAR Cluster Extension provides a CLI to enable disaster tolerant environments if no cluster software is available for your operating system or if you want to integrate HP 3PAR Remote Copy with your choice of cluster software. This feature is useful if you use custom software to migrate application services from one system to another or if you want HP 3PAR Cluster Extension to check the Remote Copy volume group member states to ensure that you can automatically start your application service on the local storage system. For detailed information, see “CLI commands and utilities” (page 55).

Disaster tolerance through geographical dispersion

Using two or more storage systems, HP 3PAR Remote Copy feature copies data to a remote data center. Cluster solutions using HP 3PAR Remote Copy disk mirroring are called metropolitan clusters or geographically dispersed clusters. In this arrangement, a server is a member of the same cluster dispersed over two or more sites. In such clusters, the server is relieved from writing any I/O request to the disk more than one time because the storage system controls the replication process (see Figure 1 (page 7)).

6HP 3PAR Cluster Extension features

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HP Cluster Software manual Integration into cluster software Graphical user interface, CLI for easy integration
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Cluster Software specifications

HP Cluster Software is a robust solution designed to enhance the reliability, availability, and scalability of computing environments in enterprise settings. This software is instrumental in managing clusters of servers, providing a unified framework that allows for efficient resource management, workload distribution, and high availability.

One of the main features of HP Cluster Software is its ability to deliver high availability through failover mechanisms. In the event of a hardware or software failure, the software automatically shifts workloads from the affected node to a standby node within the cluster, minimizing downtime. This feature is critical for organizations that require continuous access to their data and applications.

Scalability is another significant characteristic of HP Cluster Software. Organizations can easily add or remove nodes from the cluster without disrupting ongoing operations. This flexibility ensures that enterprises can adapt to changing workloads and resource demands efficiently, making it suitable for environments ranging from small businesses to large data centers.

Load balancing is a key technology employed by HP Cluster Software. It intelligently distributes workloads across the available nodes, optimizing resource utilization and ensuring that no single server is overwhelmed. By balancing the load, organizations can achieve better performance and enhance the response times of applications, which are essential for user satisfaction.

HP Cluster Software supports various clustering topologies, including active-active and active-passive configurations. This versatility allows organizations to choose the architecture that best fits their operational requirements. Additionally, the software integrates seamlessly with various HP and third-party hardware and software solutions, thus providing a holistic environment for managing IT resources.

Moreover, HP Cluster Software offers centralized management tools that simplify cluster administration. Administrators can monitor cluster performance, manage workloads, and configure settings all from a single interface. This ease of use reduces the complexity often associated with managing large clusters and empowers IT teams to respond rapidly to issues.

In summary, HP Cluster Software is an essential tool for organizations looking to enhance their IT infrastructure's availability, reliability, and performance. With its failover capabilities, scalability options, load balancing technology, and centralized management features, it stands out as a comprehensive solution for modern computing challenges.
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