Oracle
Clusterware

A High Availability Cluster and the Foundation for Oracle RAC

Video: Oracle Clusterware Introduction

Architecture

Oracle Clusterware is a portable cluster software that allows clustering of independent servers so that they cooperate as a single system. Oracle Clusterware was first released with Oracle Database 10g Release 1 as the required cluster technology for the Oracle multi-instance database, Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC).

Oracle Clusterware 12c Release 1 is the integrated foundation for Oracle Real Application Clusters and the high availability as well as resource management framework for all applications on any major platform supported for Oracle RAC. Oracle Clusterware 12c builds on the innovative technology introduced with Oracle Clusterware 11g by providing a comprehensive multi-tiered high availability and resource management solution for consolidated environments. The idea is to leverage Oracle Clusterware in the cloud in order to provide enterprise-class resiliency where required and dynamic as well as online allocation of compute resources where needed, when needed.

New in Oracle Clusterware 12c

Oracle Clusterware 12c comes with a new cluster architecture called "Flex Cluster", which enables agile as well as large-scale cluster environments. In addition and using Server Categorization, clusters can now facilitate heterogeneous environments, in which servers cannot only differ in size (e.g. the number of CPUs or the amount of memory), but also in type (e.g. being virtual machines or physical servers). To simplify management in such large scale or heterogeneous environments, Oracle Clusterware 12c has been equipped with Cluster Configuration Policy Sets, which enable automated management of business critical workloads. Using its Generic Agent, Oracle Clusterware 12c also provides a simple way to integrate applications into Oracle Clusterware.

Oracle Grid Infrastructure (Bundled) Agents

Oracle Grid Infrastructure provides the necessary components to manage high availability (HA) for any business critical application. HA in consolidated environments is no longer simple active/standby failover. These environments require run-time workload management that guarantees resource allocation when required. Oracle Grid Infrastructure Agents enable workload management and HA for Oracle applications (currently available for Siebel, Oracle GoldenGate, Peoplesoft, JD Edwards, WebLogic as well as Apache and MySQL). With Oracle Grid Infrastructure 11g Release 2 (11.2.0.3 and later), the only delivery method for agents was "standalone"; supported on AIX, Solaris, Linux and Windows.

The standalone deployment model offers greater flexibility in choosing the agent home directory structure and for subsequent agent upgrades. The standalone deployment is the preferred installation model and will continue to be available. Oracle Grid Infrastructure 12c in addition introduces Bundled Agents, which are delivered as part of the Oracle Grid Infrastructure software. This deployment model defines the agent home under the Oracle Grid Infrastructure home directory tree and complies with the inventory for Oracle Grid Infrastructure and Oracle software deployments. For this reason, the Oracle Grid Infrastructure 12c Bundled Agents can only be upgraded together with new releases of Oracle Grid Infrastructure.

Oracle RAC Family of Solutions

The Oracle RAC Family of Solutions refers to the collection of products and features that licensed Oracle RAC or Oracle RAC One Node customers can use free of additional charge. Each solution either enhances or complements the core Oracle RAC offering by ensuring better high availability and scalability or by automating and simplifying day-to-day operation. Learn more about these valuable enhancements by following the link for each solution in the graphic below. To learn more about Oracle Clusterware, follow the link on the bottom of the page.