HP Parallel Database Cluster for Windows Oracle Real Application Clusters Model - PDC/O2000-MSA1000

Overview

HP Parallel Database Cluster for Windows Oracle Real Application Clusters Model - PDC/O2000-MSA1000

Models
PDC/O2000 9i W2K Kit	HP Parallel Database Cluster Model PDC/O2000-MSA1000 for Oracle Real Application Cluster on Windows	279406-B24

Inroduction

The HP Parallel Database Clusters (PDC) for Windows® and Linux are multi-node shared storage clusters, specifically designed, tested and optimized for Oracle Real Application Cluster (RAC) databases. These platforms have evolved through years of joint engineering work with Oracle. HP customers worldwide in a variety of application environments have successfully implemented them.
The PDC Cluster Kits are a set of tools and configuration support specifically packaged to reduce the complexity and time to deployment of Oracle RAC cluster environments. The PDC Cluster Kits include detailed documentation of best practices for the implementation of RAC, installation scripts (Linux version only) and utilities, test scripts and processes for validating your installation and entitlement to specialized PDC support should you encounter any issues during installation. The PDC program includes on-going testing of the PDC configurations to ensure compatibility with Oracle, and Operating System updates over time.
The PDC family of products are available in a full range of deployment options from 'do-it-yourself' to fully 'pre-installed', each specifically designed to reduce complexity and minimize time to deployment while reducing overall solutions cost.
The HP Parallel Database Cluster for Windows RAC Model O2000-MSA1000 is a multi-node shared storage cluster optimized for Oracle Real Application Clusters running in the Windows environment. This solution delivers high availability and scalability for Oracle database environments, at a much lower total cost of ownership than traditional mid-range Unix solutions.

Description	The HP Parallel Database Cluster (PDC) for Windows RAC Cluster Kits support multi-node clusters of HP ProLiant servers running Oracle Real Application Clusters. No other clustering software is necessary. PDC for Windows clusters are comprised of:
Description	Select HP ProLiant Servers with the high availability and scalability features demanded by scale-out, shared-storage environments like Oracle Real Application Clusters. HP StorageWorks MSA1000 or Enterprise Virtual Array (EVA 3000 or EVA 5000) Fiber Channel SAN environments for entry level to high end performance and scalability. StorageWorks Secure Path (included in Windows Kits only, purchased separately for Linux) for no-single-point-of-failure I/O redundancy. Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet dedicated cluster Interconnects utilizing the HP ProCurve family of Network switches.
	For details refer to the PDC for Windows Support Matrix for details at: www.hp.com/solutions/highavailability/oracle
	The HP Parallel Database Cluster (PDC) for Windows RAC Cluster Kit includes:
	User Installation and Administrators Guide for cluster specific components Test tools and processes for validating your installation SecurePath for Windows Workgroup licenses (2) and software Installation and configuration support entitlement from PDC Support specialists
	The PDC family of products are available in a full range of deployment options from 'do-it-yourself' to fully 'pre-installed', each specifically designed to reduce complexity and minimize time to deployment while reducing overall solutions cost.
	'Do-it-Yourself" installation is enabled and support through the HP Parallel Database Cluster Kit. The kit accumulates the knowledge necessary and provides specialized tools and scripts that simplify the process. Should you have any issues completing an installation, the kit entitles the owner to escalated phone by PDC specialists. Fully 'Pre-configured' solutions are available from select HP integration Partners in North America and Western Europe and through HP Custom Systems in Asia Pacific. Between these two deployment extremes HP offers flexible Service packages from basic install. Utilize the PDC Cluster Kit HP Services will implement a sample database RAC environment on site or provide a custom deployment configured to your specific database environment up to and including a back up and recovery environment.

Product Highlights

Maximum Availability, Minimum Cost

The Parallel Database Cluster for Windows Model PDC/O2000-MSA1000 combines the features of the industry leading ProLiant and StorageWorks product lines into a tightly integrated solution. With five years of experience developing solutions for Oracle shared storage clustering (initially Oracle Parallel Server (OPS) and now Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC)) we have identified a select set of hardware and software configurations ideally suited for the RAC environment.
The PDC for Windows recommends ProLiant DL servers in 2, 4 or 8 processor models which incorporate all of the advanced high availability features of ProLiant - hot plug power, fans, PCI and now even memory can be added dynamically.
The MSA1000 is the first generation 2Gb Fibre Channel storage system designed for the entry level to mid-range Storage Area Network (SAN). Designed to reduce the complexity, expense and risk of SAN deployment, the MSA1000 is a scaleable, high performance storage system built with investment protection in mind. The modular design of the MSA1000 allows the user to easily add storage capacity on an as needed basis.
Fully redundant I/O is supported through HP StorageWorks Secure Path multi-path management software. By implementing this option a no-single-point-of-failure SAN environment is possible. Two Secure Path licenses and software are included in the Cluster Kit for convenience. Additional licenses for larger configurations are purchased separately.
The PDC for Windows also recommends and documents implementation of a fully redundant Gigabit Ethernet Cluster Interconnect leveraging the cost effective HP ProCurve Gigabit Ethernet switches and HP network interface cards.
The PDC for Windows is an all-HP configuration, which allows optimal integration with HP management tools, and one-call support. It provides significantly improved uptime and lower operating costs than multiple single-server or proprietary database implementations.

Reliable and Repeatable	The HP Parallel Database Cluster Program works to:
	Define a repeatable and supportable installation process and then put this through quality control and field testing. Develop a set of installation test tools that our customers can utilize to validate each major phase of the installation process. Document processes in detail and provide work-around or technical notes where standard installation tools do not function as expected. Work to automate as much of the process as possible to reduce implementation time. Provide investment protection by establishing and on-going road map of testing for component updates
	Processes are designed to complete installation as efficiently as possible and result in a known good configuration. At the same time these processes are designed to educate, and provide a model for, end user specific configuration and modification. For more details see the Parallel Database Cluster Product Overviews at www.hp.com/solutions/highavailability/oracle

All-HP solutions backed by PDC Support specialists

Because the Parallel Database Cluster is built exclusively from HP hardware technology, support is simplified. Any issue with the cluster can be directed to HP Support Call Centers Globally. Front line support will look to isolate component failures and basic configuration issues. More complex system or cluster level issues will be escalated to the Parallel Database Cluster Support specialists. The specialists have access to every Parallel Database Cluster configuration for use in replicating issues and diagnostics.

Automatic online recovery

Oracle Real Application Cluster (RAC) software provides maximum availability for Oracle environments running on an industry standard platforms - the HP Parallel Database Cluster. In the event of a node failure, the remaining nodes continue to access the database. Users of the failed node can automatically be redirected to another node in the cluster and continue processing. The surviving nodes automatically recover all of the transactions performed by the applications before the failure occurred, ensuring data integrity.

Data integrity and database consistency

Each instance of the Oracle database is allocated its own mirrored, multi-segment redo logs that store transactions not yet written to the database. If a node or an Oracle instance fails, the remaining nodes use the redo log from the failed node to bring the database back to a consistent state. The Oracle Distributed Lock Manager ensures data consistency and supports multi-initiator access to the storage environment.
With Oracle providing all of the clustering software components and HP providing all of the hardware and Operating System support a true one call support model is a reality.

Components

Servers	The PDC for Windows cluster supports select ProLiant servers. Please refer to the PDC for Windows Certification Matrix for supported ProLiant Server models in the PDC for Windows configurations. The following limitations and recommendations apply when selecting server nodes:
	Each server should have a minimum of 2 processors to ensure stable performance under load Each ProLiant server in the PDC for Windows Cluster is recommended to have a minimum of 2 GB of memory. Combinations of the supported PDC server models can be used to accommodate future cluster expansion etc. It is highly recommended that matched servers be used wherever possible as additional tuning and load balancing complexities will result from seriously unbalanced configurations.

Storage

The PDC for Windows Model PDC/O2000-MSA1000 configuration has been certified with HP StorageWorks MSA1000 Storage subsystem as shared storage.

MSA1000 base unit combines the array controller shelf and the drive shelf, which can hold up to fourteen 1" universal disk drives in a single 4U rack mount cabinet. Multiple arrays can be configured on the SAN. Each array can support up to two expansion enclosures each with an additional fourteen 1" drive bays. The MSA1000 provides the latest 2Gb Fibre Channel technology to the hosts. The PDC for Windows supports all HP 2GB switches including the cost effective 8 port embedded switch. The MSA1000 provides Ultra3 SCSI connections to the hard drives and uses the HP Universal 1" Ultra2, Ultra3 and/or Ultra320 drives. By utilizing existing SCSI drives, the MSA1000 lowers the total cost of ownership and extends the customer's hardware investments into the future.

For additional information on the MSA1000 please see: http://h18006.www1.hp.com/storage/arraysystems.html

The PDC for Windows includes HP StorageWorks SecurePath software which enables multi-path management and automatic failover and recovery resulting from controller, HBA, switch or cabling failures.

Cluster Interconnect	The PDC for Windows supports single-path or fully redundant fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet cluster interconnects and/or public LAN connections.

Cluster Kits	The HP PDC/O2000-MSA1000 Cluster Kit (Part # 279406-B24) contains:
	User Installation and Administrators Guide for cluster specific components, including site preparation information best practices HP RAC Installation Test Tool to validate installation and configuration HP StorageWorks Secure Path MultiPath software - two licenses and software
	In addition, purchase of the PDC for Windows cluster kit entitles you to specialized PDC Support should you encounter any issues during installation.

Supported Operating Systems	The PDC/O2000-MSA1000 supports the Windows Advanced Server Operating System for the latest versions and Support Packs supported for use with the PDC see the PDC Support/Certification Matrix.

Oracle Real Application Clusters

Oracle Real Application Clusters are implemented using the standard Oracle Enterprise Server product and the Real Application Clusters option. Separate licensing is required for each, contact your Oracle representative or the Oracle On-Line Store for details. No other clustering software components are necessary. For the latest version of Oracle RAC verified for use with the HP Parallel Database Cluster see the PDC Support Matrix.
Other valuable options include the use of the Oracle Cluster File System or a third party cluster file system for improved manageability and flexibility. The Oracle Cluster File System (OCFS) is an optional component on the standard Oracle distribution. It is important to note that OCFS is only to be used for Oracle files. No other application or file sharing is allowed.

PolyServe Matrix Server cluster file system

The PolyServe Matrix Server cluster file system has also been tested on the HP Parallel Database Cluster and has proven to be a stable and valuable addition to many RAC installations. Matrix Server is particularly valuable where a larger Linux infrastructure beyond the Oracle environment is involved. Matrix Server is a general purpose file sharing environment for Linux versus the special purpose cluster file system developed by Oracle for RAC. HP offers direct support for the PolyServe cluster file system option.

Service and Support

HP Customer Services organization has participated in the definition and delivery of supporting services for the PDC for Windows product. The HP Oracle RAC Express Service provides design consultation, Installation, and customization of Oracle RAC on ProLiant. Additional information about the Oracle RAC Express Service (part number H9147A) is available at http://www.hp.com/hps/partners/pa_oracle.html or call 1-800-289-9052.
HP servers and storage systems are protected by HP Services including a three-year limited warranty1, 7 x 24 hardware technical phone support and on-line support through CompuServe, Prodigy, America Online and the Internet.
For more information on support offerings for your HP hardware, contact your HP Authorized Service Provider.

HP Oracle9i RAC express service (US and Canada only) HP P/N H9147A	HP Oracle9i RAC express service should be purchased en lieu of SAN Solution Service. As part of the HP Oracle9i RAC solution service, the install and configuration normally provided by the SAN Solution Service is performed by HP's solution architects and consultants in addition to the following tasks:
	Evaluate the business objectives for the Oracle9i RAC solution and make recommendations for additional platform clustering software as applicable given your availability requirements Tailor the service to your exact needs Evaluate the application environment for compatibility and best performance with the Oracle9i RAC solution Evaluation and examination of the application and data model for scalability and performance Architect and design the Oracle9i RAC database cluster Install, configure and customize Oracle9i RAC software per the design Optionally provide integration with enterprise management solutions such as HP OpenView using the Oracle SPI Optionally provide integration with enterprise backup solutions for HP (Data Protector), Legato (Networker) and VERITAS (Netbackup) Optionally provide integration with HP's market leading partitioning and resource and workload management tools (PRM and WLM) Optionally provide performance tuning or capacity planning, including tuning of the database parameters, transactions, operating system and storage devices Test the implemented environment against predefined failure scenarios Provide engagement management for coordination of HP consultants Provide mentoring and documentation for the new high availability environment

Copyright 2003 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.

Windows is a US registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

DA-10889 - U.S. - Version 6 - November 17, 2003