ClusterLion
for MetroCluster
Automatic Switchover
for Netapp MetroCluster
The use of MetroCluster technology is a common method of protecting data from failures. It uses synchronous mirroring to protect the data in a cluster and activates services on the survivor site to serve the mirrored data originally owned by the site affected by disaster.
A potential remedy is to operate a service at a third data centre which monitors both locations and in case of failure initiates service transfer to the remaining cluster partner. However this leads to increased costs and complexity, and still doesn’t fully eliminate split-brain syndrome.
If Always-On availability is needed, switchover needs to be automatic. This leads to the following challenges:
Automatic transfer cannot take place in the event of a power failure.
Storage clusters are unable to differentiate between an overall failure of the cluster partner or an interruption of the interconnects. Because there is doubt, no automatic switchover takes place.
Split-brain complications exist when more than one cluster believes the others are dead and continues to access data. This can lead to data corruption.
Split-brain
In the event of a failure, the ClusterLion powers off the affected side to avoid a split-brain syndrome and then initiates a switchover to the other side.
ClusterLion for MetroCluster ensures that other services function correctly after a storage switchover. For example, a network failure is managed by NFO functionality and a feature called Application Integration.
Watch the ClusterLion MetroCluster 90s video:
Hear from our Customers:
Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam implemented ClusterLion and benefited from automatic switchover
“Due to a power failure in the mid-voltage grid in both our data centres we were without electricity for half an hour. Unfortunately battery damage occurred simultaneously in one of the UPS which reduced the emergency power down to 5 minutes… which is far too short! For our central data storage we rely on a NetApp MetroCluster which is monitored and controlled by ClusterLion. Because of ClusterLion the MetroCluster switchover happened fully automatically!”
ClusterLion for MetroCluster Benefits:
Always-On availability – all storage services remain available even with a location failure.
Easy Installation – delivered as a pre-configured device and can be retrofitted to any existing MetroCluster in a few hours – with no service disruption.
Independent status view outside of customer network which is updated every few seconds. This is displayed in a standalone web dashboard which can be accessed any time via a browser.
Highest security and permanent data consistency in the storage cluster via a Layer-1 Firewall. No user data or credentials are transmitted to the cloud – only status metrics.
Lower TCO as a 3rd data centre is not needed.
Completely infrastructure-independent monitoring resulting in the most reliable decision-making.
Instant notifications in case of a failure via email alerts and a fully-featured rest API. In addition, ProLion Support continuously monitors the system and proactively notifies customers.
Simple “Action / Deactivation” switching via GUI for maintenance purposes.
On completion, safety circuit reminds you to reactivate.
Web-based GUI – detailed information whenever you need it
Download Resources:
ClusterLion MetroCluster Data Sheet (English)
ClusterLion MetroCluster Data Sheet (German)
ClusterLion MetroCluster Presentation (PDF)