[ale] Cloning a Web Server help

Jim Kinney jim.kinney at gmail.com
Sat Aug 6 09:26:40 EDT 2011


Sounds like you want was is called a High Availability server.

The basic version involves a second machine running the same OS version and
patch level with a synchronized application area so the secondary gets the
same data as the primary, plus a way to detect a failure and a process to
transition between secondary to primary AND a way for primary to check is
secondary is in charge on start up and not cause a clash.

Some details:

heartbeat is a tool used to check if the primary is alive. It can be set to
"do things" if it detects the primary has failed as well as time interval on
tests

Two ways to keep data consistent are rsynch (batch process) and DRBD
(continuous).

rsynch is easy to set up and use (once you get the concept and pattern) and
requires nothing special from the kernel. It works best with ssh keys or
else you have to do some expect scripting. You can set up a synch job in
cron so things stay current on a schedule. So a script to rsync the apache
configs and document root would be all it takes (unless you are running a
database-backed web server).

DRBD (distributed remote block device) is a way to have a RAID1 mirror over
a network connection. It's fast (i.e. continuous) and very stable. It
requires a kernel module so not all stock kernels will work without a module
compile and load. It also requires a knowledge of primary and secondary
systems (this can be provided by heartbeat). Set up may require downtime to
establish a partition for DRBD.

Networking: each machine should have it's own standard IP address. The
current "live" server should also have a virtual interface with the IP of
the web server. This way both machines can be up and the vip moves around
under the control of the heartbeat scripts.

The easiest setup is the rsync process. As long as the web server data is
not changing constantly (i.e. not doing web commerce) it will be just fine.

On Sat, Aug 6, 2011 at 3:56 AM, Shade Alabsa <shade34321 at gmail.com> wrote:

> At my job we have a web server our boss wants cloned just in case it goes
> down so we can have minimal down time, it has gone down in the past and it's
> taken us a few days to get back up after trying to troubleshoot the problem
> which turned out to be a bad wall socket. Now I was thinking about using
> clonezilla and just cloning the drive but like I said before we want minimal
> down time and as far as I know clonezilla would require shutting down the
> server before cloning. Earlier I was told about a method that mirrors one
> drive to another and everytime a change is made to the primariy it's copied
> onto the secondary, sort of like a raid set up but not with raid. I'm still
> researching into that to see if that's a viable solution. Any suggestions to
> accomplish this? Also as a FYI I can't install any hard drives into the
> server to start a raid and I will be backing up to a external USB drive
> either connected to it directly or to another machine, either or will work.
> Thanks!
>
> Shade
>
> On Fri, Aug 5, 2011 at 10:58 PM, <ale-request at ale.org> wrote:
>
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>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>   1. Re: CentOS 5.6 64Bit Install (handran)
>>   2. Re: CentOS 5.6 64Bit Install (Greg Clifton)
>>   3. Re: CentOS 5.6 64Bit Install (Jim Kinney)
>>   4. Re: CentOS 5.6 64Bit Install (handran)
>>   5. Re: CentOS 5.6 64Bit Install (planas)
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:09:47 -0400
>> From: handran <handran at mindspring.com>
>> Subject: Re: [ale] CentOS 5.6 64Bit Install
>> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts <ale at ale.org>
>> Message-ID: <4E3C783B.5090000 at mindspring.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> On 8/5/2011 6:17 PM, Greg Clifton wrote:
>> > Charles,
>> >
>> > This is a bare metal install on a new system with 2 mirrored boot
>> > drives and 2 mirrored 1TB storage drives off a 3Ware controller.
>> > Plenty of room, but no previous OS installed, I also have a DVD drive
>> > in the system, I just don't know what other files.
>> >
>> > I can see why lots of folks like Ubuntu, at least last time I
>> > installed Ubuntu server 8.4(?) it booted off the DVD and installed w/o
>> > any problems. Sure seems easier to a noob like me!
>> >
>> > Greg
>>
>> Looks like you need 8 CD iso's */or/*  2 DVD iso's.
>>
>> Available here:
>> http://ftp.usf.edu/pub/centos/5/isos/x86_64/
>> http://mirrors.rit.edu/centos/5.6/isos/x86_64/
>> http://linux.mirrors.es.net/centos/5.6/isos/x86_64/
>> ftp://ftp.mirrorservice.org/sites/mirror.centos.org/5.6/isos/x86_64/
>>
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>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 2
>> Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2011 19:53:09 -0400
>> From: Greg Clifton <gccfof5 at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [ale] CentOS 5.6 64Bit Install
>> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts <ale at ale.org>
>> Message-ID:
>>        <CAJKW_Y5y4rNiOG+-eaaWb+yt2s_tWVcg=
>> sMYVjLvy21P0rwx0g at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> Yes, I have a DVD drive, but what I don't have is the "know-what"  and a
>> little of the "know-how" to put on the DVD(s). Here is the link on GT
>> mirror
>> site for CentOS 5.6 h
>> ttp://www.gtlib.gatech.edu/pub/centos/5.6/os/x86_64/images/<
>> http://www.gtlib.gatech.edu/pub/centos/5.6/os/x86_64/images/>,
>> what do I need to pull down from among those files to make a successful
>> install? In what order?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> GC
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Aug 5, 2011 at 7:09 PM, handran <handran at mindspring.com> wrote:
>>
>> > **
>> > On 8/5/2011 6:17 PM, Greg Clifton wrote:
>> >
>> > Charles,
>> >
>> >  This is a bare metal install on a new system with 2 mirrored boot
>> drives
>> > and 2 mirrored 1TB storage drives off a 3Ware controller. Plenty of
>> room,
>> > but no previous OS installed, I also have a DVD drive in the system, I
>> just
>> > don't know what other files.
>> >
>> >  I can see why lots of folks like Ubuntu, at least last time I installed
>> > Ubuntu server 8.4(?) it booted off the DVD and installed w/o any
>> problems.
>> > Sure seems easier to a noob like me!
>> >
>> >  Greg
>> >
>> >
>> > Looks like you need 8 CD iso's  *or*  2 DVD iso's.
>> >
>> > Available here:
>> > http://ftp.usf.edu/pub/centos/5/isos/x86_64/
>> > http://mirrors.rit.edu/centos/5.6/isos/x86_64/
>> > http://linux.mirrors.es.net/centos/5.6/isos/x86_64/
>> > ftp://ftp.mirrorservice.org/sites/mirror.centos.org/5.6/isos/x86_64/
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Ale mailing list
>> > Ale at ale.org
>> > http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
>> > See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at
>> > http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo
>> >
>> >
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>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 3
>> Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2011 20:02:27 -0400
>> From: Jim Kinney <jim.kinney at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [ale] CentOS 5.6 64Bit Install
>> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts <ale at ale.org>
>> Message-ID:
>>        <CAEo=5Pz=
>> OvGEi2sMux7S26a6fGNNF4g_5WjREM2HgkmmVx2t6w at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>>
>> go here instead:
>>
>>
>> http://mirrors.kernel.org/centos/5.6/isos/x86_64/CentOS-5.6-x86_64-bin-DVD-1of2.iso
>>
>> http://mirrors.kernel.org/centos/5.6/isos/x86_64/CentOS-5.6-x86_64-bin-DVD-2of2.iso
>>
>> GT doesn't have the full DVD iso. only the torrents.
>>
>> Yes. It's more a single DVD. The choice was to not require a  double layer
>> DVD.
>>
>> On Fri, Aug 5, 2011 at 7:53 PM, Greg Clifton <gccfof5 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> > Yes, I have a DVD drive, but what I don't have is the "know-what"  and a
>> > little of the "know-how" to put on the DVD(s). Here is the link on GT
>> mirror
>> > site for CentOS 5.6 h
>> > ttp://www.gtlib.gatech.edu/pub/centos/5.6/os/x86_64/images/<
>> http://www.gtlib.gatech.edu/pub/centos/5.6/os/x86_64/images/>,
>> > what do I need to pull down from among those files to make a successful
>> > install? In what order?
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> > GC
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On Fri, Aug 5, 2011 at 7:09 PM, handran <handran at mindspring.com> wrote:
>> >
>> >> **
>> >> On 8/5/2011 6:17 PM, Greg Clifton wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Charles,
>> >>
>> >>  This is a bare metal install on a new system with 2 mirrored boot
>> drives
>> >> and 2 mirrored 1TB storage drives off a 3Ware controller. Plenty of
>> room,
>> >> but no previous OS installed, I also have a DVD drive in the system, I
>> just
>> >> don't know what other files.
>> >>
>> >>  I can see why lots of folks like Ubuntu, at least last time I
>> installed
>> >> Ubuntu server 8.4(?) it booted off the DVD and installed w/o any
>> problems.
>> >> Sure seems easier to a noob like me!
>> >>
>> >>  Greg
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Looks like you need 8 CD iso's  *or*  2 DVD iso's.
>> >>
>> >> Available here:
>> >> http://ftp.usf.edu/pub/centos/5/isos/x86_64/
>> >> http://mirrors.rit.edu/centos/5.6/isos/x86_64/
>> >> http://linux.mirrors.es.net/centos/5.6/isos/x86_64/
>> >> ftp://ftp.mirrorservice.org/sites/mirror.centos.org/5.6/isos/x86_64/
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> Ale mailing list
>> >> Ale at ale.org
>> >> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
>> >> See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at
>> >> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Ale mailing list
>> > Ale at ale.org
>> > http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
>> > See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at
>> > http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>> --
>> --
>> James P. Kinney III
>>
>> As long as the general population is passive, apathetic, diverted to
>> consumerism or hatred of the vulnerable, then the powerful can do as they
>> please, and those who survive will be left to contemplate the outcome.
>> - *2011 Noam Chomsky
>>
>> http://heretothereideas.blogspot.com/
>> *
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>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 4
>> Date: Fri, 05 Aug 2011 21:41:08 -0400
>> From: handran <handran at mindspring.com>
>> Subject: Re: [ale] CentOS 5.6 64Bit Install
>> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts <ale at ale.org>
>> Message-ID: <4E3C9BB4.9060207 at mindspring.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> On 8/5/2011 7:53 PM, Greg Clifton wrote:
>> > Yes, I have a DVD drive, but what I don't have is the "know-what"  and
>> > a little of the "know-how" to put on the DVD(s). Here is the link on
>> > GT mirror site for CentOS 5.6
>> > http://www.gtlib.gatech.edu/pub/centos/5.6/os/x86_64/images/
>> > <http://www.gtlib.gatech.edu/pub/centos/5.6/os/x86_64/images/>, what
>> > do I need to pull down from among those files to make a successful
>> > install? In what order?
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> > GC
>>
>> First, download the 2 DVD image files from here:
>>
>>
>> http://mirrors.kernel.org/centos/5.6/isos/x86_64/CentOS-5.6-x86_64-bin-DVD-1of2.iso
>>
>> http://mirrors.kernel.org/centos/5.6/isos/x86_64/CentOS-5.6-x86_64-bin-DVD-2of2.iso
>>
>> Burn those 2 separate /*image*/ (.iso) files to 2 separate blank DVDs
>> /*as images*/ (not as a regular file) and label them accordingly (DVD 1
>> of 2 and DVD 2 of 2)
>> Then boot off the freshly burned 'DVD 1 of 2' and follow the prompts...
>>
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>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 5
>> Date: Fri, 05 Aug 2011 22:58:12 -0400
>> From: planas <jslozier at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [ale] CentOS 5.6 64Bit Install
>> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts <ale at ale.org>
>> Message-ID: <1312599492.4611.91.camel at planas-pingy-1104>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>>
>> Greg
>>
>> On Fri, 2011-08-05 at 21:41 -0400, handran wrote:
>>
>> > On 8/5/2011 7:53 PM, Greg Clifton wrote:
>> >
>> > > Yes, I have a DVD drive, but what I don't have is the "know-what"
>> > >  and a little of the "know-how" to put on the DVD(s). Here is the
>> > > link on GT mirror site for CentOS 5.6
>> > > http://www.gtlib.gatech.edu/pub/centos/5.6/os/x86_64/images/, what
>> > > do I need to pull down from among those files to make a successful
>> > > install? In what order?
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Thanks,
>> > > GC
>> >
>> >
>> > First, download the 2 DVD image files from here:
>> >
>> >
>> http://mirrors.kernel.org/centos/5.6/isos/x86_64/CentOS-5.6-x86_64-bin-DVD-1of2.iso
>> >
>> http://mirrors.kernel.org/centos/5.6/isos/x86_64/CentOS-5.6-x86_64-bin-DVD-2of2.iso
>> >
>> > Burn those 2 separate image (.iso) files to 2 separate blank DVDs as
>> > images (not as a regular file) and label them accordingly (DVD 1 of 2
>> > and DVD 2 of 2)
>> > Then boot off the freshly burned 'DVD 1 of 2' and follow the
>> > prompts...
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Ale mailing list
>> > Ale at ale.org
>> > http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
>> > See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at
>> > http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo
>>
>> Try this link http://mirror.its.uidaho.edu/pub/centos/  Follow the links
>> until you get a page listing the various iso's available and choose both
>> of the dvd images. Make sure you click on the isos link. The Tech site
>> is linking to torrents for the dvd. The Tech link is not a page where
>> you can download the torrents.
>>
>> Open your cd/dvd burning software, such as Brasero, you should be able
>> to select burning an iso image or have it recognize as an iso image.
>>
>> --
>> Jay Lozier
>> jslozier at gmail.com
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>>
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>>
>>
>> End of Ale Digest, Vol 43, Issue 21
>> ***********************************
>>
>
>
>
> --
> -Shade
>
> _______________________________________________
> Ale mailing list
> Ale at ale.org
> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
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>


-- 
-- 
James P. Kinney III

As long as the general population is passive, apathetic, diverted to
consumerism or hatred of the vulnerable, then the powerful can do as they
please, and those who survive will be left to contemplate the outcome.
- *2011 Noam Chomsky

http://heretothereideas.blogspot.com/
*
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