[Linux-cluster] Advice on Storage Hardware

[David Brieck Jr.]

On 11/11/05, Mark Hlawatschek <hlawatschek at atix.de> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> actually there is no problem to build a GFS Cluster with some kind of IP Based
> Storage (gnbd). You can also build a Web server infrastructure ontop of a NFS
> Server (or NAS Appliance). But it is also a good idea to use a GFS Cluster
> (maybe diskless shared root) based on a FC Infraystructure if you need
> performance, scalability and reliability. It is allways the question, what
> you really need ...
> Can you describe your requirements for the web services at a more detailed
> level - Maybe I/O rate - scalability - reliability ?
>
> It's normally not the network bandwidth that is the problem, it is the
> latency.
>
> Mark

Thanks Mark. We currently are on a two server setup, a dedicated
database server and a combined web/email/dns server. We're really
outgrowing our hardware much faster than anticipated. We've already
upgraded each server to dual Xeons and 4/5 GB RAM each.

Our problem is this: we are growing exponentially and are finding it
difficult to keep up with the increased needs on our webserver. Our
database server is handling things just fine since our website(s) are
as static as we can make them.

Our company has a 24 hr IT staff to handle the internal network, but
there are only a few of us linux guys and we can't always be there
when something happens. We need to be able to have a hardware or
software failure and be able to keep going until we are able to either
correct the problem or have a replacement installed and configured.

We'd like to be able to number one scale out the number of webserver
to respond to increased demand relatively easily and number two stay
online when a failure brings down a server. We also have plans to add
streaming capabilities and similarly need to be able to respond to
increased demand by scaling out.

When we put the cluster into place we plan to have three backend
machines clustered and two web servers load balanced with the ability
to add webservers at will. In addition we also plan on dual ethernet
and channel bonding as well.

Thanks for an advice you can offer. I plan on attending some of the
advanced RedHat classes on this subject to get a better grip on things
before we start the project, but for now my only resource is the
Internet and helpful people.