[Ocfs2-users] 2-node Cluster Configuration

[SCOTT, Gavin]

I have tested 2 node configuration and the various possible failures
(instance, interconnect, public interface, node) and only found 1
scenario that is not catered for. Should the network card that handles
the private cluster interconnect on node 1 fail (emulate with ifdown
ethx), node 2 will evict itself from the cluster and reboot. Node 1 will
continue to function with a deceased card.

The oracle instance on node 1 will eventually fail due to the interface
card not being available.

After an extensive and protracted debate with Oracle support, they
confirmed that this is in fact the expected and correct behaviour, as
irrational as that seems. It will, however, result in the loss of the
entire cluster until node 2 reboots.

Note, however, that this relates to Oracle Cluster Ready Services (CRS),
not OCFS2, so would probably apply to CRS on GFS as well. This also
dates back a little way (12 months or so) - I am in the process of
revalidating this as it is certainly a vulnerability in a 2-node RAC
cluster. If anyone can correct or update this, please do so.

Sorry that this is a bit off OCFS2 topic, but it's certainly relevant.


-------------------------------------------
Gavin

-----Original Message-----
From: ocfs2-users-bounces at oss.oracle.com
[mailto:ocfs2-users-bounces at oss.oracle.com] On Behalf Of D Kennell
Sent: Friday, 1 February 2008 09:53
To: ocfs2-users at oss.oracle.com
Subject: [Ocfs2-users] 2-node Cluster Configuration

hi all,

we're still in the evaluation stage of whether to go with Ocfs2 or Red
Hat's GFS cluster operating systems for Oracle 10gR2 on RHEL4.  the
documentation for Ocfs2 is very, very minimal (is there anything more
available than just the user's guide and the faq on the
http://oss.oracle.com/projects/ocfs2/ page?), so i'm a little fuzzy on
the possible configurations for it.  we're currently running a 2-node
Oracle 9.2.0.7 RAC cluster on a tru64 OS and are wanting to move to a
RHEL 2-node cluster RAC environment.

so my question is - does Ocfs2 allow for a 2-node cluster, since we
would like to stick with that number of nodes?  if one of the nodes
dies, will the other node be able to detect this and keep running
stand-alone until the dead node reboots, etc.?  also, does Ocfs2
require a 3rd machine to administer the nodes, or can the 2 nodes each
be used to administer the entire cluster?

sorry, i have VERY little experience with cluster operating systems,
so i apologize in advance for the newbie language used to ask the
above questions!  please let me know if you need further info or if
what i'm asking makes no sense!  also thanks for any input you have!

Deborah


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