[Info-vax] Wide area cluster, metro area network, seeking info

[Rich Jordan]

On Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 10:22:58 AM UTC-5, Marc Van Dyck wrote:
> Rich Jordan was thinking very hard :
> > We are looking at the possibility of putting VMS boxes in two locations, with 
> > Integrity boxes running VSI VMS. This is the very beginning of the research 
> > on the possibility of clustering those two servers instead of just having 
> > them networked. Probably have to be master/slave since only two nodes and no 
> > shared storage. 
> > 
> > After reviewing the various cluster docs, they seem to be focused on older 
> > technologies like SoNET and DS3 using FDDI bridges (which would allow shared 
> > storage). The prospect has a metropolitan area network but I do not have any 
> > specs on that as yet. 
> > 
> > Are there available docs relevant to running a distributed VMS cluster over a 
> > metro area network or fast/big enough VPN tunnel? Or is that just the 
> > straight cluster over IP configuration in the docs (which we've never used) 
> > that we need to concentrate on? 
> > 
> > Thanks
> Before going into the technical details, wouldn't it be interersting to 
> know what you want to achieve, and discuss whether clustering is the 
> best way to achieve it ? I, for one, would be interested to know why 
> you 
> believe that clustering without shared storage can be more beneficial 
> than simple networking. 
> 
> -- 
> Marc Van Dyck


VSI is involved.  This is, as I mentioned, the very first part of the investigation into the possibility of clustering, and I have no experience with MAN's or wide area clusters to go on so have been reading up on the available docs.  We _are_ going through the proper steps, just was hoping to pick up some info here from folks who might have already set up something similar.  We have set up and maintained LAVC, FC, and SCSI clusters and long ago helped manage a CI cluster but a wide area cluster never came up.  

The point: the system at the second location will be a backup site and/or disaster recovery box.  There is no third location and I have no info on the likelihood of getting one.  

This is all just investigation right now.

Thanks