[Info-vax] Third node into 2-node cluster

[Stephen Hoffman]

On 2019-03-26 13:20:36 +0000, Richard B said:

> I currently have 2x 2-node VMS clusters running v8.4 on rx2600 i2 
> boxes. It is configured as an NI cluster.
> ...
> When I want to add this third node to the mix, should I run 
> CLUSTER_CONFIG or CLUSTER_CONFIG_LAN?  I ask because I've always build 
> clusters using one system disk so this is sort of new to me.  Anything 
> I should look out for?

Same suggestions as from the earlier thread...

On 2019-02-08 22:06:27 +0000, Stephen Hoffman said:

> On 2019-02-08 21:06:21 +0000, Richard B said:
> 
>> I'm thinking about adding an Alpha DS25 into an existing 2-node rx280º 
>> i2 cluster.
>> Yes, the DS25 will have its own system disk. I'm doing this purely for 
>> quorum reasons.  When I run sys$manager:cluster$config it gives me the 
>> option to 'Add an IA64 node to the cluster'.  However, it does not give 
>> me the option to add an AlphaServer.  What do I need to do.
> 
> That's adding a root.  Which is not what you want.  Configure the Alpha 
> for clustering, using CLUSTER_CONFIG or CLUSTER_CONFIG_LAN.  I'd 
> probably go manually here, and that involves setting the 
> NISCS_LOAD_PEA0, VOTES, EXPECTED_VOTES, SCSNODE, SCSYSTEMID, and 
> VAXCLUSTER system parameters in MODPARAMS.DAT and in SYSMAN PARAMETERS, 
> probably leave QDSKVOTES to 0 and DISK_QUORUM to blank on all cluster 
> members, copy the existing CLUSTER_AUTHORIZE.DAT to the Alpha, set up a 
> MOUNT/SYSTEM command in the OpenVMS Alpha system SYSTARTUP_VMS for the 
> OpenVMS I64 system disk, aim the ~two-dozen logical names in 
> SYLOGICALS.COM at the files found on the OpenVMS I64 systems based on 
> what's found in SYLOGICALS.TEMPLATE, reboot, and off you go. Hopefully. 
> Maybe.

Getting the ~two-dozen logicals all referenced correctly is what most 
folks miss.  See SYLOGICALS.TEMPLATE, as a start.  The cluster 
configuration requirements are somewhere between a hilariously bad 
design and a prank with longevity. A prank that few find funny.

I'd likely also get moving toward V8.4-2L1.  You're running out of 
support room on OpenVMS V8.4, with less than two years before your 
current software vendor is out of the new-patch business.


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