Clusters Defined - Compaq 112726-001 - ProLiant - 6500 Administrator's Manual

1-2 Compaq Parallel Database Cluster Model PDC/O5000 for Oracle8i and Windows 2000 Administrator Guide

Clusters Defined

A cluster is an integration of software and hardware products that enables a set
of loosely coupled servers and shared storage subsystem components to
present a single system image to clients and to operate as a single system. As a
cluster, the group of servers and shared storage subsystem components offers a
level of availability and scalability far exceeding that obtained if each cluster
node operated as a stand-alone server.
The PDC/O5000 uses the Oracle8i Parallel Server software, which is a parallel
database that can distribute its workload among the cluster nodes. Refer to
Chapter 3, "Cluster Software Components" to determine the specific releases
your cluster kit supports.
Figure 1-1 shows an example of a PDC/O5000 that includes two nodes
(Compaq ProLiant™ servers), two sets of storage subsystems, two Compaq
TM
StorageWorks Fibre Channel SAN Switches or Compaq StorageWorks Fibre
Channel Storage Hubs, a redundant cluster interconnect, and a client local area
network (LAN).