Integrating DCE Services with MC/ServiceGuard

Conﬁguring HP DCE Cells

MC/ServiceGuard is a Series 800 product that was introduced at HP-UX 10.0. MC/ServiceGuard provides an environment in which, if a node fails, services (applications) can be up and running again on another node very quickly.

This section provides background information on MC/ServiceGuard, and explains detailed planning and conﬁguration steps necessary to utilize MC/ServiceGuard to increase the availability of the DCE core services. The process and considerations provided here are also easily extended to DCE-based application servers.

Readers of this section should already have a license for the MC/ServiceGuard product and be familiar with the contents of Managing MC/ServiceGuard (B3936-90003), which describes the features and capabilities of MC/ServiceGuard and provides a general conceptual framework for planning, conﬁguring, and operating an MC/ServiceGuard cluster.

Background

The DCE infrastructure depends on three core services, all of which are necessary for the proper operation of a DCE Cell: the Security Service, the Naming Service, and the Time Service. In a properly conﬁgured DCE cell, each of these services is distributed and replicated, in order to increase the availability and scalability of the DCE infrastructure. This means that each service actually consists of multiple servers running on separate hosts. Should any single server become unavailable, clients can quickly locate and use another server (replica) that provides the same service.

The Security and Naming services replicate only their read operations. That is, while a client can choose between any of the replicas to obtain information, it must go to a speciﬁc replica — the master replica — to perform a write operation. The master replica is then responsible for informing the other (read-only) replicas of the change.

5-30	Planning and Conﬁguring HP DCE 1.7

UX DCE Software specifications

HP UX DCE Software, or Hewlett-Packard UNIX Distributed Computing Environment, represents a significant tool in the realm of distributed system architecture. Designed primarily for enterprise environments, HP UX DCE enhances the reliability, scalability, and manageability of applications over diverse networked systems.

One of the main features of HP UX DCE is its ability to integrate various computing platforms, enabling seamless communication and resource sharing across distributed nodes. This facilitates the creation of complex applications that can operate on a multitude of systems, thus enhancing operational flexibility. DCE employs standardized interfaces, which means applications written for one platform can run on any other platform that supports DCE, promoting cross-platform compatibility.

In terms of technologies, HP UX DCE utilizes Remote Procedure Calls (RPC) as a core feature. This mechanism allows different applications to communicate and invoke procedures on remote systems as if they were local calls. Additionally, DCE includes a robust security model that incorporates Kerberos for authentication, ensuring that communication between nodes remains secure and protected against unauthorized access.

Another significant characteristic of HP UX DCE is its distributed file system, which allows for transparent file access across different machines. The DCE File System (DFS) provides a unified namespace and manages data replication and consistency across distributed storage resources. This reduces the complexity of data management and enhances data availability.

HP UX DCE also supports a variety of programming languages, making it accessible for developers accustomed to different coding environments. This versatility encourages widespread adoption and innovation, as developers can leverage existing skills to create distributed applications.

Furthermore, HP UX DCE is built for high availability, ensuring that critical applications remain responsive even in the face of hardware or network failures. Its inherent component redundancy and fault-tolerant architecture are designed to minimize downtime, which is essential for mission-critical applications in enterprise scenarios.

In conclusion, HP UX DCE Software provides a comprehensive framework for developing, deploying, and managing distributed applications. Its core features such as RPC support, a secure authentication mechanism, a robust file system, and cross-platform compatibility make it a vital resource for organizations aiming to leverage distributed computing effectively. As enterprises evolve, HP UX DCE stands out as an influential solution in the dynamic landscape of distributed environments.

HP UX DCE Software manual Integrating DCE Services with MC/ServiceGuard, Background

Models: UX DCE Software