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HARVARD RESEARCH GROUP
COMPAQ’S CLUSTER MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE
Harvard Research Group has determined through extensive primary and secondary
research that today’s business managers want Enterprise Management Systems that can
help them gain control over the business process and reduce complexity. IT managers are
increasingly looking for ways to effectively and efficiently implement new technologies
while at the same time achieve a seamless and cost effective way to manage their systems
and software. They want to "virtualize" their system environment and manage it as if it
were a single logical system. At the same time, the rapid growth in the number of
business-critical applications running on Intel-based systems coupled with the need for
high availability and continuous data access is driving the demand for clustered servers.
While clusters help solve problems with availability and scalability, they also bring
increased complexity, immature management tools, and added cost. This situation is most
evident in the Intel server market where the use of Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS) is
accelerating faster than the capability of the tools that manage it.
Harvard Research Group has spoken with more than 700 users of highly available
systems. Our findings and research show that users of high availability systems typically
have mixed operating system and hardware environments, and believe that current cluster
system management tools are too complex and costly. They view the current set of
cluster administration tools as point products that are difficult to integrate, proprietary in
nature, and require too much time and money to properly implement. Many of them have
expressed the desire to reduce the complexity of cluster configuration, administration,
and problem determination / resolution. At the same time, they have expressed a desire to
minimize the number of interfaces and tools they need to manage their system and
clustered environments.
Harvard Research Group believes that all clustered solutions, still lack adequate and
extensible cluster monitor / management tools. While there are management tools that
partially address this issue for a particular operating environment (HP/UX, Solaris, NT),
they tend to be limited in their functionality and unable to address the larger issue of
managing multiple and dispersed cluster environments. This is contributing to the high
cost of ownership of server hardware and causing potential profits to be consumed by
increased administrative staff and lower user productivity. Studies have shown that
deploying manageable systems in concert with well managed IT processes can create
actual value for a company. It stands to reason, then, that tightly integrating cluster
management tools with the non-clustered systems management interface should create
more value.
It appears that Compaq, in concert with its acquisitions of Tandem Computer and Digital
Equipment Corporation, is building itself into an enterprise systems provider with some
key strides in changing the direction of enterprise systems management. In doing so,
Compaq has defined some interesting goals and is delivering on these goals.
Compaq’s E2000 Platform Architecture and Cluster Management Vision
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Compaq's E2000 Platform Architecture is based around industry standard servers,
networking, and storage systems that are connected via high speed SAN interconnect to
create a scalable and available clustered server environment. Some of the significant
components of the E2000 Platform Architecture include:
2-, 4-, & 8-processor Compaq ProLiant Servers
Intel 32-bit Pentium Pro, Pentium II, Xeon, and 64-bit Merced servers
Enterprise Management Utilities for large scale application processing
Fibre Channel-based storage products and backup libraries
Gigabit Ethernet, ATM and other high speed networking technologies
High availability, scalable System Area Network SAN interconnects
The E2000 Platform Architecture would integrate these components with industrystandard operating systems such as Microsoft Windows NT, Novell NetWare, and SCO
UnixWare and with key enterprise applications from Microsoft, Oracle, SAP and other
ISV’s. Many of the key Compaq components of the E2000 Platform Architecture are
already being delivered to customers (such as high-availability SMP servers and
ServerNet SAN interconnect), while others like integrated and easy-to-use management
and administrations tools are just beginning to take shape as part of Compaq’s Cluster
Management Vision. By tightly integrating leading, standards based, enterprise
management tools with their E2000 Platform Architecture and Cluster Management
products, Compaq will be able to provide users an easy-to-use, end-to-end solution that
supports easy administration and troubleshooting of all the components of an enterprise’s
IT structure.
Compaq’s Cluster Management Vision
Compaq has outlined a cluster management vision and road map that will allow them to
deliver intuitive, easy-to-use cluster management tools that simplify the tasks of
planning, deploying and operating clusters. The Tables below highlight Compaq’s cluster
management concepts, goals and how they will bring high-end cluster system
management features to the volume cluster market and help develop industry standards.
Ease of Use
Common data repository for all enterprise devices
Problem definitions and remedies for rapid resolution
Extensive help text for ease of understanding
Web based management tools for flexibility and efficiency
Intuitive and consistent User Interface for immediate
understanding
Richness of Function
Common Data Repository
Real Time Cluster Monitor
Cluster Administration and Configuration Management
Extensible Architecture
Multi Node Cluster Support
Common Cluster Monitor and Administration Utilities
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Application Capacity Modeling
Dynamic Load Balancing
Self Defining Clusters
Application Policy Management
Extensibility
NT – MSCS Proliant Cluster as a base
Industry Standard Server and Operating System Support
Digital and Tandem Legacy System Support
The management and administration redundancies caused by having to support six
different operating system environments and two processor architectures has compelled
Compaq to develop a strategy and plan for implementing a consistent cluster
management environment. Compaq intends to leverage Tandem and Digital technologies
to deliver enterprise cluster management functionality to the NT volume cluster market
and provide industry standards for cluster management. While initially they are
implementing their cluster management tools for NT and Microsoft Cluster Server
(MSCS), they fully recognize the need to include all their supported operating
environments. Over time Compaq is expected to enhance its cluster management tools to
include it’s Operating System partners Novell NetWare, SCO UnixWare, as well as
Compaq legacy systems Tru64Unix, Open VMS, and Non-Stop (NS) systems.
The first tangible evidence of this strategy is two new NT MSCS management offerings.
These are Cluster Monitor and Intelligent Cluster Administrator. They leverage the
power of anytime and anywhere Web technology and operate within Compaq’s Web
based Enterprise Management (WBEM) framework.
Compaq Insight Manager XE - Cluster Monitor
The Cluster Monitor is a management subsystem that allows administrators to view all of
their clusters from a single browser. As a subsystem of Insight Manager XE, it is fully
integrated into Compaq's Insight Manager suite of offerings, thus providing a one-stop
administrative facility helping to minimize the number of applications and interfaces
required to manage the systems environment. It supports the ability to configure
monitoring points and specific operational performance thresholds, which will alert the
administrator when critical cluster operational thresholds have been met or exceeded.
Administrators can select cluster configurations based on their level of responsibility,
location, or cluster type, as well as perform administrative tasks either locally or remotely
from the cluster. Cluster events can be prioritized allowing the administrator to select an
event and drill down to get a view of the specific cluster node where the problem exists.
Some of the more significant features and benefits of Compaq’s Cluster Monitor include:
Web based interface for ease of utilization with anytime anywhere access
Customizable to meet administrator workload or job responsibility
Selectable monitor points for cluster monitor customization
Security levels for administration control and access
Problem Window and Topology Tree event selection for micro or macro management
Event Problem Description and Potential Remedy displayed for efficiency
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Drill down to problem device for further analysis and repair
Extensible for third party management system provider interfaces
The Cluster Monitor, to be delivered as a subsystem of Compaq’s Insight Manager XE,
will be included with all Compaq servers. A major benefit to system administrators is its
single point of control for desktops, servers and clusters. The browser-based interface
provides administrative flexibility via anytime anywhere access making cluster
management less complex and time consuming. It is both simple and easy to view, with
extensive problem definition/remedy information displayed whenever an event or device
is selected. The intuitive color-coded identification of cluster "hot spots" supports rapid
problem determination and resolution that can make the administrator more efficient,
decrease cluster downtime, and minimize "hung" systems.
Compaq Insight Manager XE – Cluster Monitor employs Compaq management agents
for basic information on system health and the health of the MSCS cluster. Compaq has
structured the Cluster Monitor to utilize the Insight Manager XE Event and Data
Repository for data storage. As a result, the cluster monitor will automatically perform an
aggregation and presentation of that data to the administrator, who can then review it and
take whatever actions are appropriate.
The administrator can easily access the Cluster Monitor through a query from the Insight
Manager XE introduction screen. The administrator can define multiple queries to view
different cluster environments for flexibility and ease of use providing another level of
efficiency. These queries can be structured to meet a variety of administrative needs, such
as, all clusters, clusters performing a specific set of applications, clusters on the tenth
floor, or clusters in the state of New Hampshire. The first thing the administrator sees
after navigating through the introduction screen is a display that presents critical cluster
events and a tree structure reflecting those clusters as defined by a specific query.
Anytime an event occurs that is considered destabilizing, an alert notice will be broadcast
to the cluster monitor screen. Alert notices that require immediate attention by the
administrator are likewise added to the Cluster Problem Window and highlighted in the
Topology Tree with a color-coded severity notation.
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(Figure 1 – Cluster Monitor Introduction Screen)
The main Cluster Monitor screen is shown in Figure 1. In the upper left-hand corner is
the Cluster Problem window that displays a prioritized listing of all cluster events by
severity level. This allows the administrator to work efficiently by addressing cluster
problems in order of severity, attacking the most critical cluster problems first. The
administrator has a scroll bar so they can choose which events to work but it is displayed
in most critical order based on clusters defined in the query. Compaq has color-coded the
events in order to make it easy to recognize those most critical to smooth cluster
operations. Clusters are displayed in a tree topology in the lower left section the Cluster
Monitor screen. The topology tree and the clusters displayed are depicted in an iconic
form, which includes the name of the cluster, the cluster condition, and the Cluster
Manager Extensions selected for the specific cluster node or cluster itself. In order to help
the administrator visualize what event(s) or device(s) are making the cluster unstable,
Compaq has provided a set of selectable monitor programs for systems devices, and
cluster manager health. The programs, Cluster Manager Extensions, can be applied to an
individual cluster or to an individual node in a cluster. This is a powerful, yet simple
approach that delivers a comprehensive view of the cluster that assists the administrator
in making the proper problem determination and resolution decisions.
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In Figure one, the administrator can select an event such as a Disk Full Condition. The
Cluster Monitor screen Data Viewer Area, the main body of the Cluster monitor screen
will change based on what event or topology device the administrator selects. When a
cluster is initially selected, key cluster management information will appear such as
cluster ownership, cluster resources, hardware configuration, software configuration,
emergency contacts, and installed application software. The administrator then has the
ability to selectively “drill down” to any cluster node that he/she wishes to examine more
closely and display a comprehensive set of node metrics. A simple “go back” mechanism
allows the administrator to quickly link back to the entry screen. Fast response to cluster
problems is supported by giving the administrator the ability to select cluster
administration either via the Topology Tree or through the Cluster Problem Window.
When things go wrong:
When an event or group of events causes a cluster to become unstable or fail, the Cluster
Monitor will display the event(s) with a detailed description and a recommended
solution. Depending upon the seriousness of the event, the problem can be approached
from either a micro- or a macro-management fashion.
Event Micro Management
The Cluster Monitor Problem Window represents a micro-management approach to
cluster administration in that the administrator selects from the problem list by event
severity. The process is quite simple and begins with the administrator selecting the
problem event from the Problem Window. The Cluster Monitor then displays the selected
cluster data in the main data area in the same fashion as the tree methodology. Events
remain in the Cluster problem window for as long as it takes to resolve them, and are
only removed after the error condition has been satisfied. The Tree Structure is updated
simultaneously to the problem window thus providing the administrator with a quick way
to determine the status of the cluster. The micro approach provides a quick and easy way
to identify and resolve cluster problems within multiple cluster sites.
Device Macro Management
The macro-management approach starts at the Cluster Topology Tree. It allows the
administrator to select from a cluster or device(s) within a cluster that may be failing or
causing instability. The administrator can then take the necessary action(s), to resolve the
device or cluster error condition. Compaq has supplied a simple method of implementing
the macro approach, whereby all the administrator needs to do is click on the color-coded
icon for the cluster or the device, and the system will automatically bring the required
level of cluster or device information to the data viewing area. The Data Viewer displays
the problem definition, remedy action(s) and static cluster or device information. Once in
the Data Viewer, it is quite simple to perform a "drill down" to the specific device
causing the problem.
In HRG’s view, the Compaq Cluster Monitor represents a significant step in Compaq's
Cluster Management vision for the management of large and small enterprises. The tight
integration with Insight Manager XE affords system administrators a low cost (free) tool
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that supports the access, single point control and management of systems on both a local
and enterprise wide basis.
Compaq’s Intelligent Cluster Administrator
Along with the Cluster Monitor, Compaq also announced a browser based Intelligent
Cluster Administration tool for NT MSCS clusters. It represents a significant
improvement over the console-based functions offered by most other vendors and
extends the administrators flexibility by allowing them to execute cluster administration
functions anywhere and anytime via the Web. The Intelligent Cluster Administrator also
provides a set of unique tools for cluster configuration management and deployment that
allow administrators to copy, modify and dynamically install a cluster configuration onto
any cluster, anywhere in the enterprise. The Intelligent Cluster Administrator is available
as a stand-alone offering but is designed to integrate with Insight Manager XE - Cluster
Monitor as a Cluster Management Extension in the future. This gives administrators more
flexibility in managing their clusters and choosing which offering meets their most
current needs.
Compaq Intelligent Cluster Administrator is an innovative cluster utility that makes
cluster administration easier and less time consuming. Its Web enabled anywhere
anytime cluster administration allows for a single point of control for NT MSCS clusters.
Some of the most significant features and benefits include:
Web based for ease of utilization with anytime anywhere access
Enhanced cluster management facilities for planning, modification, and deployment
for enhanced cluster configuration management and control
Extensible for added cluster types and configurations to meet Compaq's Cluster
Management Vision and strategy for consolidated systems and cluster management
Designed to integrate with Compaq’s Insight Manager XE-Cluster Monitor
Complete operational controls for MSCS clusters from a browser allowing the
administrator to perform the full set of administrative functions provided, through
MSCS cluster administration, increasing administrator flexibility and efficiency
Provides a single point of control for distributed enterprise cluster configuration
management and rapid response to meet operational processing events displayed
through the Insight Manager XE - Cluster Monitor.
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Figure 2 – Intelligent Cluster Administrator History Screen
The Intelligent Cluster Administrator is an easy-to-use cluster administration tool that
provides the administrator a single point of control for all MSCS clusters in the
enterprise. It significantly reduces the time consuming and complex task of
administrating clusters by allowing users to monitor and manage a Compaq Proliant
Cluster from either an Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator browser. Its strength
lies in its ability to check for cluster destabilizing conditions and then allowing the
administrator to dynamically reallocate the resources of the cluster to alleviate a
destabilizing situation. It also offers the added flexibility of performing these actions
remotely without causing a cluster failover.
The Intelligent Cluster Administrator performs all of the administration tasks found in the
console based "Cluadmin" product shipped with Microsoft Cluster Server. By selecting a
configuration entry from the tree structure, the administrator can:
add/change/delete a group or resource
start/stop a service, a node, a cluster
transfer a service from one node to another
evict node from a cluster
The remote web based access frees administrators from being tied to a particular console
or area, helps reduce administration time and reduces the number of active console
program resources. From the main Intelligent Cluster Administrator screen, any
administrator can efficiently create new cluster configurations, model them against
existing configurations, and deploy the configurations to the same cluster or to another
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physical cluster in the enterprise. Other functions supported by the Intelligent Cluster
Administrator include:
Add/change/delete configuration log entries
Compare any two configurations in the log
Compare any cluster configuration in the log with current configurations
Designate one entry in the log as the “ideal” cluster state
Export the current configurations, or any configuration in the log
Verify any configuration in the log against the current cluster
Import any saved configuration to the log or to the cluster
The import/export utilities are particularly helpful in maintaining and deploying uniform
clusters. All the administrator needs to do is point to any configured cluster, extract the
current configuration, modify it if necessary, and then archive it for disaster recovery
situations or deploy it to the same or another cluster. Furthermore, the Intelligent Cluster
Administrator can do all this dynamically without needing to reboot the cluster. The
Intelligent Cluster Administrator with it's anytime anywhere browser based
implementation is an innovative tool that frees the administrator from the inflexibility of
a dedicated management console. This innovative facility clearly establishes Compaq as
a leader in NT MSCS cluster development / deployment, and helps to reduce cost of
ownership by providing cluster management flexibility and control. Compaq has
advanced the state of the art in cluster administration of enterprise business critical
solutions and made it possible to easily manage and deploy MSCS clusters. The
Intelligent Cluster Administrator is a significant step towards providing a common,
intuitive, easy to understand, and consistent system management interface.
Comparable Alternatives
Both IBM and HP are on a similar cluster management path and they are beginning to
develop and deploy integrated cluster policy and management solutions. However, their
current products are point solutions that are not as tightly integrated with the system
management interface, as the Compaq products.
Hewlett-Packard’s ClusterView product is a hardware centric cluster monitor that
supports a single point for monitoring UNIX and NT clusters. ClusterView supports a
visual mapped-based interface, and event notification. It enables the automatic detection,
monitoring, and control of remote clusters and certain cluster components. ClusterView
requires HP's OpenView and Network Node Manager when used in conjunction with HP
MC/ServiceGuard and Microsoft Cluster Server. This is a heavy investment in overhead
if you are not committed to HP's Open View framework manager. While it has the
advantage of supporting both HP-UX MC/Service Guard and NT MSCS clusters, it still
requires MSCS “Cluadmin” to add, change, and delete cluster configurations.
ClusterView’s reliance on optional software products such as the OpenView / Network
Node manager adds cost, additional complexity, and more processing overhead.
IBM’s Cluster System Management (ICSM) product is designed to manage NetFinity
MSCS clusters. It supports plug-in modules for IBM NetFinity Manager, Intel LANdesk
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and Microsoft System Management Server (SMS). It is a hardware centric tool that
provides GUI based cluster administration, dynamic wizards, configurable alerts, and a
single console view of a cluster.
Product Summary
Compaq’s Insight Manager XE - Cluster Monitor and Intelligent Cluster Administrator
are cost effective and innovative tools for consolidating both systems and cluster
management. There are alternative tools that provide similar or complementary
functionality to Microsoft MSCS “Cluadmin”, such as NET IQ's Application Manager,
IBM’s ICSM and NuView's ClusterX, but they are focused on MSCS management and
can cost significantly more to implement. Compaq’s cluster management products are
less costly and they are not just focused on NT and MSCS. Compaq has a cluster
management strategy and vision for all the cluster environments its supports including
NetWare, SCO UnixWare, Tru64Unix, Open VMS, and Non-Stop (NS) systems.
Furthermore, based upon our research and interviews we view the alternative products as
more standalone and not as tightly integrated with a system management interface, as the
Compaq products are with Insight Manager XE. As a result, system administrators are
required to deal with learning and maintaining multiple management interface systems.
With Compaq’s Cluster Monitor and Intelligent Cluster Administrator products,
administrators can view the entire enterprise through a single consistent interface that
makes administration and control much simpler, less time consuming, and more efficient.
And Compaq’s use of the Web based anytime anywhere access to cluster management,
monitoring and administration provides a significant advantage over the static console
based approach offered by other vendors.
The Intelligent Cluster Administrator provides significant administrative services that are
unique in the industry and that, when coupled with the Insight Manager XE-Cluster
Monitor meet and exceed what is currently available from other vendors. The Cluster
Monitor and Intelligent Cluster Administrator enhance MSCS "Cluadmin" by extending
cluster management and administration across the entire Enterprise with features such as
anywhere anytime access and the ability to flag a system device that is causing a
destabilizing event.
In HRG’s opinion, Compaq offers customers both a comprehensive architectural plan and
significant new products that are an important first step in bringing enterprise cluster
management capabilities to the volume NT cluster market. The technology, products and
strategy that Compaq has put forth make them the clear leader in standards-based cluster
administration and management. Based on what Compaq is delivering now and in the
future, HRG feels Compaq has a leg up on the competition and customers should not
hesitate to consider Compaq when implementing enterprise-wide cluster facilities.
Summary of HRG Opinions
The combination of the Compaq E2000 Platform Architecture, cluster management
vision and initial release of these cluster management products place Compaq in the best
position to deliver intuitive, easy-to-use, cluster management tools that simplify the task
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of planning, deploying and operating clusters. Compaq’s strong commitment to industry
standards will help customers establish a more flexible and cost-effective computing
environment that integrates with all Compaq supported environments and allows them to
take advantage of emerging capabilities. By combining their Cluster Management Vision
with the E2000 Platform Architecture, Compaq has provided customers unparalleled
choice, flexibility, scalability, availability, and cost effectiveness.
Compaq clearly gets it when it comes to the issues and benefits of good Enterprise
Systems management techniques and they have effectively transferred that knowledge
into the Intelligent Cluster Administrator and Cluster Monitor products. They have
leveraged the technologies, knowledge and experience of their Digital and Tandem
divisions to extend the functionality of their system management products to include
MSCS clusters today, with a well defined plan to include all supported cluster
environments in the future. Additionally, the integration with the Insight Manager XE
suite of applications provides a consistent set of interfaces and standards that Compaq
customers can utilize to reduce learning, reduce their cost of ownership and make their
most crucial operations activity even easier. Compaq’s new cluster administration and
monitoring tools are a significant step towards reducing system management costs,
improving administrator efficiency, and minimizing system downtime.
Harvard Research Group is an information technology market research and consulting
company. The company offers highly focused market research and consulting services to
vendors and users of computer hardware, software, and services. For more information
contact Harvard Research Group as follows:
Harvard Research Group
Box 297
Harvard, MA 01451 USA
Tel. (978) 263-3399
Fax (978) 263-0033
E-mail
hrg@hrgresearch.com
http://www.hrgresearch.com
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