New Management Console to administer DRBD/Heartbeat clusters

 

Vienna/BEAVERTON, OR (Feb. 16, 2009/3:19 p.m.) - Over 1,000 users per day download the Linux kernel module DRBD from the website http://www.drbd.org. In order to facilitate the installation of DRBD as well as integration into high-availability clusters, the main sponsor of DRBD, LINBIT HA Solutions GmbH, has now developed a graphical user interface. The DRBD Management Console (DRBD MC) is from now on available as a beta-release and is, just like DRBD, available for free download under the terms of the GNU General Public License.


The Java-based Management Console facilitates the installation of DRBD and improves the usability of DRBD during operation. Well structured wizards facilitate installation and the graphics ensure a full overview of the status of all resources during operation. “The DRBD Management Console is a great benefit for administrators who usually call on experts to install an HA cluster. The graphical user interface (GUI) displays also complex interrelations in a more transparent way. Thus, administrators, who are not only responsible for HA, but in charge of numerous other additional tasks, familiarize themselves very quickly with the system in case of any troubles”, explains Philipp Reisner, CTO of LINBIT.


For technicians who aim at a more advanced knowledge of DRBD/Heartbeat clusters and at understanding the details, the Management Console offers a dedicated text console, which displays the detailed CLI commands. “The DRBD Management Console simplifies the installation and administration of DRBD/Heartbeat clusters. However, the administrator should have a good knowledge of Linux and the cluster architecture. With DRBD MC, a cluster is easier to install, but the tool alone does not guarantee that the cluster is failsafe in emergency situations”, emphasizes Reisner. Companies that want to be on the safe side thus rely on support agreements offered by LINBIT. For details, please visit http://www.linbit.com/en/products-services/drbd-support/.


DRBD MC – major features

  • Wizard driven installation/update of DRBD/Heartbeat on you cluster nodes

  • Wizard driven initial configuration of Heartbeat

  • Presents NICs and block devices

  • Create and edit DRBD resources

  • Graphical representation of complete DRBD status

  • Actions on DRBD resources available as context menu in the DRBD status view

  • Graphical representation of Heartbeat resources and their constraints

  • Graphical representation of the status and current node of a Heartbeat resource

  • Context menus with actions on Heartbeat resources

  • Text console view of all CLI commands


Details: http://www.drbd.org/mc/management-console/