| Q1. |
How is backup handled? |
| A1. |
Any node can be designated to run backup for all of the shared file systems on the entire cluster. The node can be used solely for backup or the backup utility can share the resources of a node performing other services. This type of backup arrangement can represent significant savings in licensing costs for the backup software package since the storage used by multiple nodes is backed up through just one. |
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| Q2. |
How large of a file system can be supported? |
| A2. |
128TB on Linux and 16TB on Windows. |
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| Q3. |
How is this clustered file system different from competitors? |
| A3. |
This clustered file system is optimized for Enterprise business file serving needs. That means the cluster is first designed for data integrity. Cache coherency and data integrity are assured even in the event of multiple failures. The clustered file system also manages resources efficiently by managing the data locks. Utilizing an external load balancing method, clients are mounted to the file system in a round-robin fashion. The result of this methodology is that when additional nodes are added their resources can be fully applied to the cluster and file serving. It is this design feature that allows the cluster to scale, in a linear fashion, both throughput and client performance. Finally, there is no need to install agents on each client or to maintain a metadata server as this is not required for this architecture. Metadata and locking functions are distributed across the cluster and scale as the cluster grows. |
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| Q4. |
What types of storage arrays are supported? |
| A4. |
This clustered file system can be used with any HP Fibre Channel or iSCSI storage from the HP StorageWorks MSA, EVA, and XP portfolio of disk arrays. Sizing configuration is available from your HP sales representative. An existing SAN infrastructure can also be supported. |
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| Q5. |
Is CIFS file serving supported on the Linux version? |
| A5. |
The HP StorageWorks Enterprise File Services Clustered Gateway will support CIFS file serving on a single node via SAMBA. While the SAMBA service does not scale across nodes, the SAMBA service will fail over to another node in the event of a failure on the node running the SAMBA service. |
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| Q6. |
What type of anti-virus software is supported? |
| A6. |
There are numerous anti-virus solutions for Linux or Windows. If the anti-virus software is compatible with the OS it will likely work with HP Clustered File System Software. |
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| Q7. |
What type of snapshot capability is possible with the product? |
| A7. |
This product takes advantage of the snapshot capability of HP StorageWorks family of storage arrays. The snapshot capabilities of the EVA have been further leveraged through integration into the GUI. Other arrays, such as the XP that support snapshots, are fully compatible with this solution and can be used. Microsoft’s Windows Storage Server Shadow Copies for Shared Folders feature built into Windows are also supported. |
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| Q8. |
Is NFS file serving supported on the Windows version? |
| A8. |
Yes. The Windows version of EFS Clustered Gateway does not currently include a bundled NFS solution. HP recommends the Hummingbird Maestro product for this function. |
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| Q9. |
Is NDMP Backup supported? |
| A9. |
This is a common question from users of NetApp NAS products. Because NetApp has a closed and proprietary architecture, the only option is to use NDMP backup agent. HP Clustered Gateway is built on industry standard software and hardware so you can use the native backup agents from your favorite backup vendor rather than having to use NDMP. |
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| Q10. |
What servers are supported by the HP Polyserve File Serving Utility software? |
| A10. |
HP PolyServe File Serving software is supported on any Proliant DL server or BladeSystem. The software also supports Dell and IBM servers. |
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| Q11. |
Is there a software version of EFS Clustered Gateway? |
| A11. |
Yes. The HP Polyserve File Serving Utility software (See the sku section for details). All HP Polyserve software is licensed on a per CPU socket. The software can be order with either a physical License-to-Use (LTU) or an electronic License-to-Use (E-LTU). The software is available via physical media distribution (i.e. CD) or electronic download. |
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