Conference spezko::cluster

5275.0. " URGENT: cluster interconnect strategy input needed ASAP" by STAR::BOAEN (LANclusters/VMScluster Tech. Office) Thu Apr 03 1997 15:30

	  We need to hear from you on the business need for ATM (via host
adapters) as a cluster interconnect.  Whether or not to do this project
will be reviewed shortly as part of the fy98 LRP.  There is some OpenVMS
management belief that we may only be able to do one of:

	--FibreChannel as a ci ( FibreChannel as a storage interconnect
				is a given.)

	--ATM as a  ci

	--Gigabit Ethernet as a ci

	Allegedly there has been some discussion in the ambassadors private
conference about some of this. Could some of those discussions
be posted "distributable" in this conference.
	Also, could you comment on the relative time frame and urgency
of the need for the above cluster interconnects.  Also how to you see
them being used?
	--ATM VS FibreChannel as intersite interconnects  for
	multisite or BRS  applications?
	--cluster interconnects within a site?
	--Other?

	Despite what you were told at last Springs ambassadors meeting
there remains significant work to support ATM as a ci. In terms of
code changes the work for any of these isn't significantly different.
However, obviously the qualification testbeds differ.

 In any case it is unlikely that any of these will make V7.2 (Raven).

'Gards
Verell Boaen

    here my 2�...
    
    forget about the Gigabit Ethernet and concentrate on ATM & FC as
    cluster interconnect. Your last sentence makes me a little sad:
    given the timeframe when FC will come out it might look tight to make
    it into V7.2 (Raven), but as the ATM code is already latent in V7.1,
    why can't we get the effort to support it in Raven?
    
    my vote:	- support ATM as a native cluster interconnect in Raven
    		- support FC as a cluster interconnect in post-Raven
    		- forget about the Gigabit Ethernet as a cluster
    		  interconnect
    
    /cmos

    I concur 100% to -1
    
    Regards
    Paul

OOPS!! I Meant to post this in the Ambassadors conference for them to
comment on. However, any field comments here will be welcome.
Verell