The management server
The management server is the software engine that performs centralized multi-cluster management and monitoring tasks. It communicates with the policy manager on VCS clusters, known as the High Availability Daemon (HAD). An alternative name for HAD is the VCS engine. The management server process functions as the main server process as well as a web server to serve web pages for the Cluster Management Console user interface. You can cluster the management server or install it on a standalone system.
One management server is capable of administering many clusters. The management server can communicate with a peer management server at a distant location, enabling you to view and manage all clusters at both locations.
The following infrastructure components support management server operation:
Authentication broker
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The Cluster Management Console uses the Symantec Product Authentication Service authentication broker to securely authenticate user accounts. The user accounts are local operating system and domain user accounts; the Cluster Management Console does not require native or proprietary user accounts.
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Database
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Database of configurational and historical cluster data. The Cluster Management Console database is an embedded Sybase ASA database that serves as the data store for a management server. Every management server requires one database. The database includes maintenance features such as backup, restore, and prune. Read-only access is available to external clients through ODBC and JDBC.
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Direct connection
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Direct connection is the mechanism by which the management server can connect directly to the VCS socket interface when no intervening firewall is present. You can configure the management server to initiate direct connections to specific running instances of VCS.
This mode of connection to a cluster is desirable when you do not want any footprint on the managed cluster. However, Symantec recommends that you use the cluster connector whenever possible for a more efficient and reliable connection.
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Command line interface (CLI)
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The CLI is a textual interface that you can use to issue commands that perform cluster management tasks.
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