6.3 Configuring Cluster Protocol Properties

You can use the Cluster Protocol property pages to view or edit the transmit frequency and tolerance settings for all nodes in the cluster, including the master node. The master node is generally the first node brought online in the cluster, but if that node fails, any of the other nodes in the cluster can become the master.

If you change any protocol properties, you should restart all servers in the cluster to ensure that the changes take effect.

Using iManager

  1. In Roles and Tasks, select Clusters, then click the Cluster Options link.

  2. Type the cluster name or browse and select it, then click the Properties button under the cluster name.

  3. Click the Protocols tab.

    This page also lets you view the script used to configure the cluster protocol settings, but not change it. Changes made to the protocols setting will automatically update the script.

Using ConsoleOne

  1. Right-click the Cluster object.

  2. Click Properties.

  3. On the Cluster Object property page, select the Protocol tab.

    This tab has two pages: Settings and Internals. The Internals page lets you view the script used to configure the cluster protocol settings, but not change it. Use the Settings page to make changes to cluster protocol properties.

Using Novell Remote Manager

  1. In the left column, select Clustering, then select Cluster Config.

  2. Select the Cluster object name.

  3. Click Protocol.

6.3.1 Heartbeat

Heartbeat specifies the amount of time between transmits for all nodes in the cluster except the master. For example, if you set this value to 1, non-master nodes in the cluster send a signal that they are alive to the master node every second.

6.3.2 Tolerance

Tolerance specifies the amount of time the master node gives all other nodes in the cluster to signal that they are alive. For example, setting this value to 4 means that if the master node does not receive an I'm alive signal from a node in the cluster within four seconds, that node is removed from the cluster.

6.3.3 Master Watchdog

Master Watchdog specifies the amount of time between transmits for the master node in the cluster. For example, if you set this value to 1, the master node in the cluster transmits an “I'm alive” signal to all the other nodes in the cluster every second.

6.3.4 Slave Watchdog

Slave Watchdog specifies the amount of time the master node has to signal that it is alive. For example, setting this value to 5 means that if the monastery nodes in the cluster do not receive an “I'm alive” signal from the master within five seconds, the master node is removed from the cluster and one of the other nodes becomes the master node.

6.3.5 Max Retransmits

This value is set by default, and should not be changed.