SP management tools available for server clustersArmonk 21 March 2001 The new IBM eServer clusters for Unix and Linux, can tie together a company's entire IT infrastructure, from Web servers to vital back-end workloads like Enterprise Resource Planning and Customer Relationship Management applications. The new offerings -- originally code-named Blue Hammer -- extend the advanced management software and massive file system of IBM's SP supercomputer to the fast-growing market for rack-mounted servers.
Enabling customers to control up to 32 IBM eServer rack
servers from a single workstation, IBM eServer clusters are designed
to install, control and maintain huge server farms. The solutions
provide maximum performance at an affordable price.
The SP's system
management software has already been used in real-world data centers
to cluster more than 500 separate computers.
Designed for rack systems, IBM eServer clusters fit perfectly in
today's e-business data centers. The Linux version enables clusters of
up to 32 two-way IBM eServer x330 Intel-based machines; while the
UNIX version clusters up to 32 two- to eight-way IBM M80 or one- to
six-way IBM H80 servers running the AIX operating system.
With IBM eServer clusters, both the midrange M80s and H80s can be
clustered with large-scale IBM eServer p680 or S80 servers. The M80,
H80, S80 and p680 can also be directly attached to the SP
supercomputer.
The heart of IBM eServer clusters are the SP
supercomputer's Parallel System Support Programs (PSSP) cluster
management software and General Parallel File System (GPFS) software,
which were both introduced in 1993. IBM has been honing them ever
since -- and both applications reached a milestone recently when they
served as an integral part of the official Website for the Sydney
Olympics, which received 11.3 billion hits during the 17
days of the games.
Built upon the system management tools and commands of the AIX
operating system, PSSP enables administrators to manage tens or
hundreds of clustered servers efficiently and cost effectively. All
administrative functions in the cluster, such as operating system
installation and configuration, may be performed from a central point
of control. With PSSP, operators can monitor and control hardware and
keep files synchronized across all servers. It also provides an
infrastructure for high-availability, as well as a
balanced architecture to ensure that the cluster performs optimally at
all times.
GPFS is a highly available cluster file system, providing shared
access to files across all nodes in the cluster. Scaling to nine
terabytes, GPFS allows customers to quickly and easily access huge
amounts of data on a cluster.
The IBM UNIX clusters are especially well suited for consolidation
of multiple, diverse applications in large Fortune 1000 companies.
Typical applications include Enterprise Resource Planning, Customer
Relationship Management, business intelligence, and large-scale Web
servers. Clustering enables these enterprises to reduce IT costs,
while making their IT infrastructures more responsive to business
needs.
The Linux clusters are tailor-made for e-businesses that deploy
numerous "rack-and-stack" servers on the fly, as well as firms that
need massive processing power to tackle complex problems. These
companies include: Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Application
Service Providers (ASPs) that maintain huge server farms; financial
services companies looking to consolidate workloads and integrate
services; and Life sciences firms that need massive computing power to
analyze genetic data, design new drugs and solve difficult science
problems.
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