This document is for support use. It may not be complete or final.
Since VAST Cluster is flexibly deployed in terms of architecture, scale, topology and networking, the following aspects are some of the key choices that are custom planned per installation. These aspects affect your choice of scheme file.
Hardware Components
Each installation comprises:
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One or more DBox(es). The DBox is populated with two data servers called DNodes.
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Usually one or more CBoxes(es). The CBox is populated with four compute nodes (CNodes). Each CNode can be shipped with either one or two 2-port Network Interface Cards (NICs) depending on the networking needs. CNodes can also run on customer provided hardware.
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One or more pairs of data switches. These switches provide inter-connectivity between the CNodes and the DNodes and provide connectivity between the cluster and uplinks to the client data network. The number of pairs needed depends on the numbers of Dboxes and CNodes. Two Ethernet models are commonly used:
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The MLX2100 16-port ethernet data switch.
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The MLX2700 32-port ethernet data switch.
In some installations, other switches are used, which may be provided by the customer. These may be Infiniband switches.
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Optionally, a 1GigE management switch used to provide management access on an isolated Ethernet network.
Server Scale and Data Switch Options
The CBox and DBox are matched to provide ideal performance for most workloads when deployed in a one to one ratio, although since they are separate modules, they can also be combined in a different proportion.
Data switches are always deployed in pairs. As a general guideline, the following switch pair configurations support the following numbers of CBoxes and DBoxes, and higher scale installations are also supported.
Switch Configuration |
Number of switch ports |
Supports up to |
---|---|---|
2 x Mellanox MSN2100-CB2F |
32 x 100GbE QSFP28 ports |
3 CBoxes 3 DBoxes |
2 x Mellanox MSN2700-CS2F |
64 x 100GbE QSFP28 ports |
6 CBoxes 6 DBoxs |
4 x Mellanox MSN2700-CS2F |
128 x 100GbE QSFP28 ports |
8 CBoxes 8 DBoxes |
... |
... |
... |
Networking Options
Three networks transport three types of traffic:
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The client data network. This network carries data traffic between the CNodes and the client data network being served by the cluster.
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The VAST internal network. This network carries internal system traffic between the DNodes and CNodes.
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The management network. This network is dedicated to the Vast Management System (VMS) running on one of the CNodes (the management CNode) and management clients.
The main networking variations are as follows:
Networking Option |
Shipping and Installation Handling |
---|---|
The transport protocol of the client data network |
This is handled by configuring the CNode NICs in the required mode, which could be either of these:
|
The transport protocol for the VAST Cluster internal network |
This can be the same or different to the client data network protocol, and can be either of these:
|
The management topology |
The management network can be:
|
Separation of the VAST internal network from the client data network |
The client data network and the VAST internal network can optionally be isolated from each other. These are the typical implementations:
|
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