InfoScale™ 9.0 Storage Foundation Cluster File System High Availability Configuration and Upgrade Guide - AIX

Last Published:
Product(s): InfoScale & Storage Foundation (9.0)
Platform: AIX
  1. Section I. Introduction to SFCFSHA
    1. Introducing Storage Foundation Cluster File System High Availability
      1.  
        About this document
      2.  
        About Storage Foundation Cluster File System High Availability
      3.  
        About InfoScale Operations Manager
      4.  
        About I/O fencing
      5.  
        About Services and Operations Readiness Tools (SORT)
      6. About configuring SFCFSHA clusters for data integrity
        1.  
          About I/O fencing for Storage Foundation Cluster File System High Availability in virtual machines that do not support SCSI-3 PR
        2. About I/O fencing components
          1.  
            About data disks
          2.  
            About coordination points
          3.  
            About preferred fencing
  2. Section II. Configuration of SFCFSHA
    1. Preparing to configure
      1. I/O fencing requirements
        1.  
          Coordinator disk requirements for I/O fencing
        2.  
          CP server requirements
        3.  
          Non-SCSI-3 I/O fencing requirements
    2. Preparing to configure SFCFSHA clusters for data integrity
      1. About planning to configure I/O fencing
        1.  
          Typical SFCFSHA cluster configuration with server-based I/O fencing
        2.  
          Recommended CP server configurations
      2. Setting up the CP server
        1.  
          Planning your CP server setup
        2.  
          Installing the CP server using the installer
        3.  
          Configuring the CP server cluster in secure mode
        4.  
          Setting up shared storage for the CP server database
        5.  
          Configuring the CP server using the installer program
        6. Configuring the CP server manually
          1.  
            Configuring the CP server manually for HTTPS-based communication
          2.  
            Generating the key and certificates manually for the CP server
          3.  
            Completing the CP server configuration
        7.  
          Verifying the CP server configuration
    3. Configuring SFCFSHA
      1.  
        Overview of tasks to configure SFCFSHA using the product installer
      2.  
        Starting the software configuration
      3.  
        Specifying systems for configuration
      4.  
        Configuring the cluster name
      5.  
        Configuring private heartbeat links
      6.  
        Configuring the virtual IP of the cluster
      7.  
        Configuring SFCFSHA in secure mode
      8. Configuring a secure cluster node by node
        1.  
          Configuring the first node
        2.  
          Configuring the remaining nodes
        3.  
          Completing the secure cluster configuration
      9.  
        Adding VCS users
      10.  
        Configuring SMTP email notification
      11.  
        Configuring SNMP trap notification
      12.  
        Configuring global clusters
      13.  
        Completing the SFCFSHA configuration
      14.  
        About the License Audit Tool
      15. Verifying and updating licenses on the system
        1.  
          Checking licensing information on the system
        2.  
          Replacing a SFCFSHA keyless license with another keyless license
        3.  
          Replacing a SFCFSHA keyless license with a permanent license
      16.  
        Configuring SFDB
    4. Configuring SFCFSHA clusters for data integrity
      1. Setting up disk-based I/O fencing using installer
        1.  
          Configuring disk-based I/O fencing using installer
        2.  
          Initializing disks as VxVM disks
        3. Checking shared disks for I/O fencing
          1.  
            Verifying Array Support Library (ASL)
          2.  
            Verifying that the nodes have access to the same disk
          3.  
            Testing the disks using vxfentsthdw utility
        4.  
          Refreshing keys or registrations on the existing coordination points for disk-based fencing using the installer
      2. Setting up server-based I/O fencing using installer
        1.  
          Refreshing keys or registrations on the existing coordination points for server-based fencing using the installer
        2. Setting the order of existing coordination points for server-based fencing using the installer
          1.  
            About deciding the order of existing coordination points
          2.  
            Setting the order of existing coordination points using the installer
      3.  
        Setting up non-SCSI-3 I/O fencing in virtual environments using installer
      4.  
        Setting up majority-based I/O fencing using installer
      5.  
        Enabling or disabling the preferred fencing policy
    5. Performing an automated SFCFSHA configuration using response files
      1.  
        Configuring SFCFSHA using response files
      2.  
        Response file variables to configure SFCFSHA
      3.  
        Sample response file for SFCFSHA configuration
    6. Performing an automated I/O fencing configuration using response files
      1.  
        Configuring I/O fencing using response files
      2.  
        Response file variables to configure disk-based I/O fencing
      3.  
        Sample response file for configuring disk-based I/O fencing
      4. Configuring CP server using response files
        1.  
          Response file variables to configure CP server
        2.  
          Sample response file for configuring the CP server on single node VCS cluster
        3.  
          Sample response file for configuring the CP server on SFHA cluster
      5.  
        Response file variables to configure server-based I/O fencing
      6.  
        Sample response file for configuring server-based I/O fencing
      7.  
        Response file variables to configure non-SCSI-3 I/O fencing
      8.  
        Sample response file for configuring non-SCSI-3 I/O fencing
      9.  
        Response file variables to configure majority-based I/O fencing
      10.  
        Sample response file for configuring majority-based I/O fencing
    7. Manually configuring SFCFSHA clusters for data integrity
      1. Setting up disk-based I/O fencing manually
        1.  
          Identifying disks to use as coordinator disks
        2.  
          Setting up coordinator disk groups
        3.  
          Creating I/O fencing configuration files
        4.  
          Modifying VCS configuration to use I/O fencing
        5.  
          Verifying I/O fencing configuration
      2. Setting up server-based I/O fencing manually
        1.  
          Preparing the CP servers manually for use by the SFCFSHA cluster
        2.  
          Generating the client key and certificates manually on the client nodes
        3. Configuring server-based fencing on the SFCFSHA cluster manually
          1.  
            Sample vxfenmode file output for server-based fencing
        4.  
          Configuring CoordPoint agent to monitor coordination points
        5.  
          Verifying server-based I/O fencing configuration
      3. Setting up non-SCSI-3 fencing in virtual environments manually
        1.  
          Sample /etc/vxfenmode file for non-SCSI-3 fencing
      4. Setting up majority-based I/O fencing manually
        1.  
          Creating I/O fencing configuration files
        2.  
          Modifying VCS configuration to use I/O fencing
        3.  
          Verifying I/O fencing configuration
  3. Section III. Upgrade of SFCFSHA
    1. Planning to upgrade SFCFSHA
      1.  
        About the upgrade
      2.  
        Supported upgrade paths
      3.  
        Transitioning between the InfoScale products
      4.  
        Considerations for upgrading SFCFSHA to 9.0 on systems configured with an Oracle resource
      5. Preparing to upgrade SFCFSHA
        1.  
          Getting ready for the upgrade
        2.  
          Creating backups
        3. Pre-upgrade planning when VVR is configured
          1. Planning an upgrade from the previous VVR version
            1.  
              Planning and upgrading VVR to use IPv6 as connection protocol
          2.  
            Considerations for upgrading SFCFSHA to 7.4 or later on systems with an ongoing or a paused replication
        4. Preparing to upgrade VVR when VCS agents are configured
          1. Freezing the service groups and stopping all the applications
            1.  
              Determining the nodes on which disk groups are online
          2.  
            Preparing for the upgrade when VCS agents are configured
        5.  
          Verifying that the file systems are clean
        6.  
          Upgrading the array support
      6.  
        Considerations for upgrading REST server
      7.  
        Using Install Bundles to simultaneously install or upgrade full releases (base, maintenance, rolling patch), and individual patches
    2. Upgrading the operating system
      1.  
        Upgrading the AIX operating system
    3. Performing a full upgrade of SFCFSHA using the installer
      1. Performing a full upgrade using the product installer
        1.  
          Ensuring the file systems are clean
        2. Performing the upgrade
          1.  
            Updating the configuration and confirming startup
        3.  
          Upgrading the operating system
      2.  
        Upgrading SFDB
    4. Performing a rolling upgrade of SFCFSHA
      1.  
        About rolling upgrade
      2.  
        Performing a rolling upgrade of SFCFSHA using the product installer
    5. Performing a phased upgrade of SFCFSHA
      1. About phased upgrade
        1.  
          Prerequisites for a phased upgrade
        2.  
          Planning for a phased upgrade
        3.  
          Phased upgrade limitations
        4.  
          Phased upgrade example
        5.  
          Phased upgrade example overview
      2. Performing a phased upgrade using the product installer
        1.  
          Moving the service groups to the second subcluster
        2.  
          Upgrading the operating system on the first subcluster
        3.  
          Upgrading the SFCFSHA stack on the first subcluster
        4.  
          Preparing the second subcluster
        5.  
          Activating the first subcluster
        6.  
          Upgrading the operating system on the second subcluster
        7.  
          Upgrading the second subcluster
        8.  
          Completing the phased upgrade
    6. Performing an automated SFCFSHA upgrade using response files
      1.  
        Upgrading SFCFSHA using response files
      2.  
        Response file variables to upgrade SFCFSHA
      3.  
        Sample response file for full upgrade of SFCFSHA
      4.  
        Sample response file for rolling upgrade of SFCFSHA
    7. Upgrading Volume Replicator
      1.  
        Upgrading Volume Replicator
      2. Upgrading VVR without disrupting replication
        1.  
          Upgrading VVR sites for InfoScale 7.3.1
        2.  
          Upgrading VVR sites with InfoScale 7.4 or later
        3.  
          Upgrading VVR sites in VCS control for InfoScale 7.3.1
        4.  
          Upgrading VVR sites in VCS control for InfoScale 7.4 or later
        5.  
          Post-upgrade tasks for VVR sites
    8. Performing post-upgrade tasks
      1.  
        Resetting DAS disk names to include host name in FSS environments
      2.  
        CVM master node needs to assume the logowner role for VCS managed VVR resources
  4. Section IV. Post-configuration tasks
    1. Performing post configuration tasks
      1.  
        Upgrading disk layout versions
      2.  
        Switching on Quotas
      3. About enabling LDAP authentication for clusters that run in secure mode
        1.  
          Enabling LDAP authentication for clusters that run in secure mode
      4. About configuring authentication for SFDB tools
        1.  
          Configuring vxdbd for SFDB tools authentication
  5. Section V. Configuration of disaster recovery environments
    1. Configuring disaster recovery environments
      1.  
        Disaster recovery options for SFCFSHA
      2.  
        About setting up a campus cluster for disaster recovery
      3.  
        About setting up a global cluster environment for SFCFSHA
      4.  
        About configuring a parallel global cluster using Volume Replicator (VVR) for replication
  6. Section VI. Adding and removing nodes
    1. Adding a node to SFCFSHA clusters
      1.  
        About adding a node to a cluster
      2.  
        Before adding a node to a cluster
      3.  
        Adding a node to a cluster using the Veritas InfoScale installer
      4. Adding the node to a cluster manually
        1.  
          Starting Veritas Volume Manager (VxVM) on the new node
        2.  
          Configuring cluster processes on the new node
        3. Setting up the node to run in secure mode
          1.  
            Configuring the authentication broker on node sys5
        4.  
          Starting fencing on the new node
        5.  
          After adding the new node
        6.  
          Configuring Cluster Volume Manager (CVM) and Cluster File System (CFS) on the new node
        7.  
          Configuring the ClusterService group for the new node
      5. Adding a node using response files
        1.  
          Response file variables to add a node to a SFCFSHA cluster
        2.  
          Sample response file for adding a node to a SFCFSHA cluster
      6. Configuring server-based fencing on the new node
        1.  
          Adding the new node to the vxfen service group
      7.  
        Adding nodes to a cluster that is using authentication for SFDB tools
      8.  
        Updating the Storage Foundation for Databases (SFDB) repository after adding a node
      9.  
        Sample configuration file for adding a node to the cluster
    2. Removing a node from SFCFSHA clusters
      1.  
        About removing a node from a cluster
      2.  
        Removing a node from a cluster
      3.  
        Modifying the VCS configuration files on existing nodes
      4.  
        Modifying the Cluster Volume Manager (CVM) configuration on the existing nodes to remove references to the deleted node
      5.  
        Removing the node configuration from the CP server
      6.  
        Removing security credentials from the leaving node
      7.  
        Updating the Storage Foundation for Databases (SFDB) repository after removing a node
      8.  
        Sample configuration file for removing a node from the cluster
  7. Section VII. Configuration and Upgrade reference
    1. Appendix A. Support for AIX Live Update
      1.  
        Support for AIX Live Update (Technology preview)
    2. Appendix B. Installation scripts
      1.  
        Installation script options
      2.  
        About using the postcheck option
    3. Appendix C. Configuration files
      1.  
        About the LLT and GAB configuration files
      2.  
        About the AMF configuration files
      3.  
        About I/O fencing configuration files
      4. Sample configuration files for CP server
        1.  
          Sample main.cf file for CP server hosted on a single node that runs VCS
        2.  
          Sample main.cf file for CP server hosted on a two-node SFHA cluster
        3.  
          Sample CP server configuration (/etc/vxcps.conf) file output
    4. Appendix D. Configuring the secure shell or the remote shell for communications
      1.  
        About configuring secure shell or remote shell communication modes before installing products
      2.  
        Manually configuring passwordless ssh
      3.  
        Setting up ssh and rsh connection using the installer -comsetup command
      4.  
        Setting up ssh and rsh connection using the pwdutil.pl utility
      5.  
        Restarting the ssh session
      6.  
        Enabling rsh for AIX
    5. Appendix E. High availability agent information
      1. About agents
        1.  
          VCS agents included within SFCFSHA
      2. Enabling and disabling intelligent resource monitoring for agents manually
        1.  
          Administering the AMF kernel driver
      3. CVMCluster agent
        1.  
          Entry points for CVMCluster agent
        2.  
          Attribute definition for CVMCluster agent
        3.  
          CVMCluster agent type definition
        4.  
          CVMCluster agent sample configuration
      4. CVMVxconfigd agent
        1.  
          Entry points for CVMVxconfigd agent
        2.  
          Attribute definition for CVMVxconfigd agent
        3.  
          CVMVxconfigd agent type definition
        4.  
          CVMVxconfigd agent sample configuration
      5. CVMVolDg agent
        1.  
          Entry points for CVMVolDg agent
        2.  
          Attribute definition for CVMVolDg agent
        3.  
          CVMVolDg agent type definition
        4.  
          CVMVolDg agent sample configuration
      6. CFSMount agent
        1.  
          Entry points for CFSMount agent
        2.  
          Attribute definition for CFSMount agent
        3.  
          CFSMount agent type definition
        4.  
          CFSMount agent sample configuration
      7. CFSfsckd agent
        1.  
          Entry points for CFSfsckd agent
        2.  
          Attribute definition for CFSfsckd agent
        3.  
          CFSfsckd agent type definition
        4.  
          CFSfsckd agent sample configuration
    6. Appendix F. Sample SFCFSHA cluster setup diagrams for CP server-based I/O fencing
      1. Configuration diagrams for setting up server-based I/O fencing
        1.  
          Two unique client clusters served by 3 CP servers
        2.  
          Client cluster served by highly available CPS and 2 SCSI-3 disks
        3.  
          Two node campus cluster served by remote CP server and 2 SCSI-3 disks
        4.  
          Multiple client clusters served by highly available CP server and 2 SCSI-3 disks
    7. Appendix G. Changing NFS server major numbers for VxVM volumes
      1.  
        Changing NFS server major numbers for VxVM volumes
    8. Appendix H. Configuring LLT over UDP
      1. Using the UDP layer for LLT
        1.  
          When to use LLT over UDP
      2. Manually configuring LLT over UDP using IPv4
        1.  
          Broadcast address in the /etc/llttab file
        2.  
          The link command in the /etc/llttab file
        3.  
          The set-addr command in the /etc/llttab file
        4.  
          Selecting UDP ports
        5.  
          Configuring the netmask for LLT
        6.  
          Configuring the broadcast address for LLT
        7.  
          Sample configuration: direct-attached links
        8.  
          Sample configuration: links crossing IP routers
      3. Using the UDP layer of IPv6 for LLT
        1.  
          When to use LLT over UDP
      4. Manually configuring LLT over UDP using IPv6
        1.  
          The link command in the /etc/llttab file
        2.  
          The set-addr command in the /etc/llttab file
        3.  
          Selecting UDP ports
        4.  
          Sample configuration: direct-attached links
        5.  
          Sample configuration: links crossing IP routers

CP server requirements

Storage Foundation Cluster File System High Availability 9.0 clusters (application clusters) support coordination point servers (CP servers) that are hosted on the following VCS and SFHA versions:

  • VCS 7.3.1 or later single-node cluster

  • SFHA 7.3.1 or later cluster

Upgrade considerations for CP servers

  • Upgrade VCS or SFHA on CP servers to version 9.0 if the current release version is prior to version 7.3.1.

  • You do not need to upgrade CP servers to version 9.0 if the release version is 7.3.1 or later.

  • CP servers on version 7.3.1 or later support HTTPS-based communication with application clusters on version 7.3.1 or later.

  • You need to configure VIPs for HTTPS-based communication if release version of application clusters is 7.3.1 or later.

Make sure that you meet the basic hardware requirements for the VCS/SFHA cluster to host the CP server.

See the Arctera InfoScale Installation Guide.

Note:

While Arctera recommends at least three coordination points for fencing, a single CP server as coordination point is a supported server-based fencing configuration. Such single CP server fencing configuration requires that the coordination point be a highly available CP server that is hosted on an SFHA cluster.

Make sure you meet the following additional CP server requirements which are covered in this section before you install and configure CP server:

  • Hardware requirements

  • Operating system requirements

  • Networking requirements (and recommendations)

  • Security requirements

Table: CP server hardware requirements lists additional requirements for hosting the CP server.

Table: CP server hardware requirements

Hardware required

Description

Disk space

To host the CP server on a VCS cluster or SFHA cluster, each host requires the following file system space:

  • 550 MB in the /opt directory (additionally, the language pack requires another 15 MB)

  • 300 MB in /usr

  • 20 MB in /var

  • 10 MB in /etc (for the CP server database)

Storage

When CP server is hosted on an SFHA cluster, there must be shared storage between the nodes of this SFHA cluster.

RAM

Each CP server requires at least 512 MB.

Network

Network hardware capable of providing TCP/IP connection between CP servers and SFCFSHA clusters (application clusters).

Table: CP server supported operating systems and versions displays the CP server supported operating systems and versions. An application cluster can use a CP server that runs any of the following supported operating systems.

Table: CP server supported operating systems and versions

CP server

Operating system and version

CP server hosted on a VCS single-node cluster or on an SFHA cluster

CP server supports any of the following operating systems:

  • AIX 7.2 and 7.3

Review other details such as supported operating system levels and architecture for the supported operating systems.

See the Arctera InfoScale Release Notes for that platform.

Following are the CP server networking requirements and recommendations:

  • Arctera recommends that network access from the application clusters to the CP servers should be made highly-available and redundant. The network connections require either a secure LAN or VPN.

  • The CP server uses the TCP/IP protocol to connect to and communicate with the application clusters by these network paths. The CP server listens for messages from the application clusters using TCP port 443 if the communication happens over the HTTPS protocol. TCP port 443 is the default port that can be changed while you configure the CP server.

    Arctera recommends that you configure multiple network paths to access a CP server. If a network path fails, CP server does not require a restart and continues to listen on all the other available virtual IP addresses.

  • The CP server only supports Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) when communicating with the application clusters over the HTTPS protocol.

  • When placing the CP servers within a specific network configuration, you must take into consideration the number of hops from the different application cluster nodes to the CP servers. As a best practice, Arctera recommends that the number of hops and network latency from the different application cluster nodes to the CP servers should be equal. This ensures that if an event occurs that results in an I/O fencing scenario, there is no bias in the race due to difference in number of hops or network latency between the CPS and various nodes.

For information about establishing secure communications between the application cluster and CP server, see the Storage Foundation Cluster File System High Availability Administrator's Guide.