Introduction To Linux Virtual Server; Technology Overview - Red Hat CLUSTER SUITE - CONFIGURING AND MANAGING A CLUSTER 2006 Manual

Introduction to Linux Virtual Server

Using Red Hat Enterprise Linux, it is possible to create highly available server clustering
solutions able to withstand many common hardware and software failures with little or no
interruption of critical services. By allowing multiple computers to work together in offer-
ing these critical services, system administrators can plan and execute system maintenance
and upgrades without service interruption.
The chapters in this part guide you through the following steps in understanding and de-
ploying a clustering solution based on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Linux Virtual Server
(LVS) technology:
Explains the Linux Virtual Server technology used by Red Hat Enterprise Linux to create
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a load-balancing cluster
Explains how to configure a Red Hat Enterprise Linux LVS cluster
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Guides you through the Piranha Configuration Tool, a graphical interface used for
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configuring and monitoring an LVS cluster

6.1. Technology Overview

Red Hat Enterprise Linux implements highly available server solutions via clustering. It is
important to note that cluster computing consists of three distinct branches:
Compute clustering (such as Beowulf) uses multiple machines to provide greater com-
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puting power for computationally intensive tasks. This type of clustering is not addressed
by Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
High-availability (HA) clustering uses multiple machines to add an extra level of relia-
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bility for a service or group of services.
Load-balance clustering uses specialized routing techniques to dispatch traffic to a pool
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of servers.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux addresses the latter two types of clustering technology. Using a
collection of programs to monitor the health of the systems and services in the cluster.
Note
The clustering technology included in Red Hat Enterprise Linux is not synonymous with
fault tolerance. Fault tolerant systems use highly specialized and often very expensive
Chapter 6.