[LinuxFailSafe] Serial Connection

[Scott Henry]

>>>>> "V" == Volker Pense <v.pense@profi-ag.de> writes:

V> Hi there,
V> how do I setup a serial connection between two nodes without a stonith 
V> device? I mean, how do I define the nodes in the cluster?

IF the motherboards of the machines you are using are Intel server
MBs, then they probably support EMP (External Management Protocol,
or something like that). It can be enabled from the BIOS (and takes
over one of the serial ports). You then connect crossed (or circular
for more than 2 nodes) serial cables between the serial ports. There
is support in Failsafe for using VACM as interface to the EMP
protocol for reset. You can get VACM from (I think)
<http://vacm.sourceforge.net/>. You only really need the emp.loose
module (it's been a while since I've played with it...)

The advantage is that you only need serial cables to support reset
(fencing), the disadvantage is that you have no serial ports left
for console... It is a little nicer on the system, as it does a
controled power down, unlike the brute-force of (effectively)
"pulling the cord".

But STONITH with an external remote-controlled power switch is much
more likely to be supported on your systems...

-- 
 Scott Henry <scotth@sgi.com> /  Help! My disclaimer is missing!
 IRIX/Linux MTS,             /  http://reality.sgiweb.org/scotth/
 Silicon Graphics, Inc      /  SGI-One step ahead

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