Cluster

The SAN File System cluster is a set of metadata servers, each running on a separate hardware engine. The metadata servers communicate with each other and with SAN File System clients over your existing IP network. The cluster provides a single point of control for administrative and service operations.

The cluster has one master metadata server, which is initially designated by an administrator, and one or more subordinate metadata servers. The master metadata server maintains the cluster state and is the focal point for most administrative services. The maximum number of metadata servers that SAN File System allows in the cluster is eight.

Note: Although you cannot purchase SAN File System with only one metadata server, you can run a single metadata-server system if all other metadata servers in the cluster fail (for example, if you have only two engines, and one of them fails), or if you want to close all of the metadata servers except one to perform scheduled hardware maintenance.

Parent topic: Concepts

Related tasks
Changing active cluster states
Configuring cluster tuning
Starting the cluster
Stopping the cluster
Upgrading the cluster

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