3 Licensing

This chapter explains how to obtain and install the product license keys. A license key is required to use all of the product features. The License Entitlement Certificate provides instructions on how to obtain a license key. In the meantime, a temporary, instant-on license key is available so that you can immediately start using all of the features. The instant-on key is valid for 60 days from the first use. Upon expiration of the instant-on license key, the features will be disabled. You must obtain a permanent license key to continue using the features.

Retrieving a license key

When you purchase this product, you receive a License Entitlement Certificate. You will need information from this certificate to retrieve and enter your license keys.

You can use any of the following methods to request a license key:

•Obtain a license key from http://www.hp.com/software/licensing.

•Use AutoPass to retrieve permanent license keys. See “Using AutoPass to retrieve permanent license keys” (page 22).

•Fax the Password Request Form that came with your License Entitlement Certificate. See the certificate for fax numbers in your area.

•Call or email the HP Password Center. See the certificate for telephone numbers in your area or email addresses.

Using AutoPass to retrieve permanent license keys

To retrieve permanent license keys:

1.Start AutoPass, located in the CLX product's bin directory: clxautopass -ovlicensemgr

AutoPass requires that a JRE and/or SDK be installed on the cluster node. See the CLX SPOCK website for the latest supported JRE versions.

2.Take one of the following actions:

•If you have an Internet connection, click Retrieve/Install License Key.

•If you installed the product on a system that does not have an Internet connection, click Retrieve License Key through Email/Fax. When you receive the license key in email, start AutoPass and click Install/Restore License Key.

3.For MSFC environments only: After installing the permanent license keys, restart the product so that the license will be recognized. You can restart the product by restarting the Microsoft cluster service.

Two types of licensing model supported by CLX

There are two types of licensing model supported by CLX.

1.Host based permanent license: In this licensing model, HP 3PAR CLX license needs to be procured for each node that uses HP 3PAR Cluster Extension (CLX). If Microsoft Failover Cluster has [Nh] number of nodes which has CLX software installed connected to [Na] number of storage arrays, you need to procure [Nh] number of host based permanent licenses to make CLX work. For example, if a user has five cluster nodes having CLX installed, he needs to have five host based CLX licenses – one for each node. Applying Host based permanent license is a node specific operation. For more information, see “Applying host based permanent license ” (page 23). This licensing model is supported since previous releases.

2.Device based permanent license: In this newly introduced licensing model, user needs to procure licenses for each storage device connected to the failover cluster independent of the

22 Licensing

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HP Cluster Software manual Licensing, Retrieving a license key, Using AutoPass to retrieve permanent license keys
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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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