Cluster configurations

Types of cluster configurations

This section discusses the following types of cluster configurations:

Rules for clustered configurations

Review the following information before cabling your gFiler:

GF900 series

A standard gFiler cluster contains two gFiler gateways, a local node and a partner node. Both nodes must be identical (that is, you cannot cluster a GF920 with a GF980). The nodes are connected to each other through an IB cluster adapter or alternately, for a GF980, an NVRAM5 adapter. An IB cluster adapter or NVRAM5 adapter allows one node to serve data to its failed partner node. Each node continually monitors its partner, mirroring the data for each other's NVRAM. The two nodes in a cluster can be separated from each other by as much as 500 meters.

Requirements are as follows if the distance is greater than 10 meters but less than 500 meters:

For NVRAM4-based cluster interconnect (with IB Cluster Adapter), use 50 micron optical cable that meets this specification: LC-LC 50/125 Plenum cable with Laser-Link 300.
For NVRAM5-based cluster interconnect: 4X IB MTP 50/125 Plenum Cable 500 Mhz/KM and Cu-to-optical converters

See NOW (http://now.netapp.com) for more information about requirements for clustered failover.

Note
MetroClusters are treated as their own configuration type. See MetroCluster configurations for more information.

GF270c

The GF270c is a self-contained clustered system. The two CPU modules (heads) in a GF270c are the two nodes of a standard cluster. The GF270c does not support the MetroCluster configuration.