Cluster-multi-instance-services

Hi managers,

we run a 2-node TruCluster V5.1a, PK6:

node 1: 1 EV6.7-Processor, 1280 MB Memory
node 2: 4 EV6.7-Processor, 8 GB Memory

running "sendmail" through the "Internet Express"-Software-package (provided for
alpha-clusters) as a "multi-instance service" on both nodes, I want
to run it preferably on the "4-processor-node2" and only performing failover
to -node1-, if -node2- shuts down.

I tried to succeed by running the service through creating the cluster alias
"mailer", to whom I provided high priority on -node2- and low priority on
-node1-.

However, if -node2- is used by other applications (NFS-Service, compute-service)
only for a short time, "mailer" switchs to -node1- and also if showing bad
performance it does not switch back to -node2-.
Have I used to litlle priority-values? Which values would you advice to receive
the desired behaviour ??
Is their any possibility to restrict switching only to the case of "shut down"
of -node2-??
Is there any other possibility to restrict multi-instance services (under normal
conditions, except ailover) to a special node (perhaps through the "Distributed
Lock Manager")??

I know: "read the fucking manaual"
But the Informations therein are so overwhelming that I would like to here about
a guidance of experienced mangers on this field.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks in advance

Martin Körfer


--
Dr.Martin Körfer
Max-Planck-Institut für Chemie
Elektronik
J.J.Becherweg 27
55128 Mainz
Tel.: -49-6131-305488
Fax:  -49-6131-305318

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