1 / 14

Console Infrastructure in the CERN Computer Centre

Console Infrastructure in the CERN Computer Centre. Helge.Meinhard@cern.ch HEPiX / HEPNT Autumn 2003 Vancouver Mostly work done by Andras.Horvath@cern.ch. The problem. CERN CC is running large farms CPU servers: now 1500 boxes, 6000* in 2006 Disk/tape servers: now 300 boxes, 1200* in 2006

jackson-acosta
Télécharger la présentation

Console Infrastructure in the CERN Computer Centre

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Console Infrastructure in the CERN Computer Centre Helge.Meinhard@cern.ch HEPiX / HEPNT Autumn 2003 Vancouver Mostly work done by Andras.Horvath@cern.ch

  2. The problem • CERN CC is running large farms • CPU servers: now 1500 boxes, 6000* in 2006 • Disk/tape servers: now 300 boxes, 1200* in 2006 *) Error bar: ~ factor 2 • Attempt at high-level management solution: ELFms  T. Kleinwort • Low-level problems • E.g. machine unpingable • Console access and/or reset required HEPiX Vancouver: Console management at CERN

  3. Existing solutions… … do not scale HEPiX Vancouver: Console management at CERN

  4. Requirements • Considered systematically in summer 2003 • Main points: • Remote console access • To boot loader and operating system (Linux) • Preferably to BIOS as well • Remote reset • ATX reset and/or ATX power on/off and/or • Remote power cycling HEPiX Vancouver: Console management at CERN

  5. Options (1 CHF = 0.75 USD = 0.65 EUR = 1 CAD)† : yes, but… HEPiX Vancouver: Console management at CERN

  6. Serial daisy-chaining Up to 4 nodes BIOS, boot loader, OS Console: minicom But few boards come with two serial lines these days… Remote reset port 0 port 0 port 0 port 0 port 1 port 1 port 1 port 1 Prototypes HEPiX Vancouver: Console management at CERN

  7. Decisions • Infrastructure for serial console via serial cards in PCs to be deployed • Nothing else for now (no remote reset etc.) • 24 x 7 operator coverage can step in • Many services are redundant • Specs for all new servers require support for • Redirection of BIOS to serial line… • and controllable system behaviour (stay off vs. previous state) on power cycle HEPiX Vancouver: Console management at CERN

  8. Serial infrastructure: head nodes • Dedicated head nodes vs. worker nodes serving as heads for small number of peers + Cleaner – all worker nodes remain the same + Can be used for other head node applications (e.g. software distribution) if desired – Extra investment, extra space – If down, larger number of machines inaccessible via serial console • Decided in favour of dedicated head nodes HEPiX Vancouver: Console management at CERN

  9. Concentration factor, scope • Head nodes equipped with 6 8-port cards • Complete head node (w/o serial cables) is about 1800 CHF • By far cheaper than higher number of ports per console server, even though more console servers needed • Will equip all CERN computer centre • Machine rooms on ground floor and basement • Except Windows machines, machines dedicated to network services • Procurement running for 75 head nodes • Cross-connection of head nodes not decided yet • Some free ports on head nodes HEPiX Vancouver: Console management at CERN

  10. Software • Need a bit more than minicom • Logging into one of ~75 servers and requesting /dev/ttyS25 not going to scale • Authentication and authorisation • Logging of console output • Started prototyping our own solution (Andras Horvath / CERN) • Put on hold when we learned (at HEPiX Amsterdam) of … • Software by Chuck Boeheim (SLAC) used at SLAC, Fermi, LBL, … • Provides most of the functionality we require • CERN-specific extensions can be easily added (wrapper scripts) • Constructive discussions with Chuck, expect to share the work • Aim is one common code base HEPiX Vancouver: Console management at CERN

  11. lxplusnnn User app Console server 1 Console server 75 conf conf Server proc Server proc log log Software schematics • CDB – config service • Machine – port @ head node mapping • User – machine authorisations pcitfionnn xxx RS/232 Machine 1.1 . . . . Machine 1.44 … Machine 75.1 . . . . Console logrepository HEPiX Vancouver: Console management at CERN Machine 75.44

  12. Software components • User application • Should run on all on-site Linux machines; Windows, Solaris? • Console application on head nodes • Grants and logs access to serial lines • Logs console output • Configuration service • Machine – port @ head node mapping • User – machine mapping (authorisation to access serial line) • Store for console logs • Nothing on machines… HEPiX Vancouver: Console management at CERN

  13. Software: TBD • On our wishlist: • Authentication of head node towards user app, and of user towards server process on head node • Per-line control of access right • (Possibility of) logging via syslog • CERN-specific extensions being designed • Machine detection, feedback to config service • Wrapper around user app asking config service to provide mapping of machine to (port @) head node • Automatic creation of local config files on head nodes • Collection of console logs in central repository HEPiX Vancouver: Console management at CERN

  14. Status, outlook • HW: Orders for head nodes, serial cards, cables out or being finalised • Expected delivery: 2H November 2003 • SW: Started discussing and investigating adaptations, CERN-specific elements being designed • Hope to have first head node ready in time for next disk server delivery (early December; no KVM switches!) • Full deployment will run well into 2004 HEPiX Vancouver: Console management at CERN

More Related