White PapersIt will overview both products, comparing them and presenting recommendations as to which might be the best systems management tool in various specific situations. These system management solutions offer customers a choice in the way they can manage their hardware. IBM Director Multiplatform is a comprehensive systems management solution for heterogeneous IBM Server Environments.
IBM CSM for AIX and Linux is a powerful solution that is specialized for homogeneous UNIX and High Performance Computing (HPC) environments. CSM provides integration with IBM Director Multiplatform so that both can be used together to manage machines from a single graphical console, allowing for even greater flexibility and control over the administration of your IT environment.
Understanding IBM DirectorMultiplatform and Cluster SystemsManagement (CSM) Products IBM _`Janet EllsworthTony AbbondanzioFebruary 2005Untitled DocumentPage 2IBM _`Table of contentsIntroduction.................................................................................................................................................................. 3Understanding IBM Director Multiplatform............................................................................................ 4Understanding Cluster Systems Management (CSM)..................................................................... 5Comparing IBM Director Multiplatform and CSM.............................................................................. 6IBM Director Multiplatform integration with CSM............................................................................. 7Table: Functional comparison between IBM Director Multiplatform and CSM................................ 8Table: IBM Director Multiplatform function by platform............................................................................ 9Table: CSM function by platform ...................................................................................................................... 9CSM and IBM Director Multiplatform: Some recommendations............................................. 10Customer environment recommendations............................................................................................. 11Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................................... 12Untitled DocumentPage 3IBM _`IntroductionTo get the most value out of your technology investment throughout its lifecycle, you need smart, effectivesystems management, which will keep your availability high and costs low. IBM ~ hardware isdesigned for intelligent systems management. It offers the best tools in the industry and can save you timeand money by increasing availability, tracking assets, optimizing performance and enabling remotemaintenance. IBM has two powerful platform-level systems management tools IBM Director Multiplatform andCluster Systems Management (CSM) that offer customers a choice in the way they can manage theirhardware. The two products have distinct value points as well as overlapping capabilities. In the future,IBM Director Multiplatform and CSM will work together to provide one complete systems managementsolution for many environments.IBM Director Multiplatform is a comprehensive systems management solution for heterogeneousIBM ~ environments. Based on the award-winning IBM Director from IBM ~ xSeries ,Director Multiplatform provides common, consistent cross-platform systems management acrossIBM servers, storage and operating systems.IBM Cluster Systems Management (CSM) for AIX and Linux is a powerful solution that enables IT administrators to easily manage large clusters of pSeries and xSeries servers. Specialized forhomogeneous UNIX and High Performance Computing (HPC) environments, it provides capabilities tomanage a cluster of computers from one single point of control. It is the distributed systems managementtool of choice for all pSeries clusters today, and for UNIX and HPC xSeries clusters.CSM provides integration with IBM Director Multiplatform so that both can be used together to managemachines from a single graphical console, allowing for even greater exibility and control over theadministration of your IT environment.This paper will offer an overview of both products, comparing them and presenting recommendations asto which might be the best systems management tool in various speci c situations.Untitled DocumentPage 4IBM _`Understanding IBM Director MultiplatformIBM Director Multiplatform delivers a comprehensive systems management solution for heterogeneousenvironments. This includes support for IBM ~ BladeCenter", iSeries", pSeries and xSeriesservers. IBM Director Multiplatform s core infrastructure is designed to provide a single point of control formanaging up to 5,000 systems.The Director Multiplatform product structure consists of three components: Management Server, Agentand Console. The Management Server is the main component or aggregation point for managing theagents. The Agent provides management data and function to the Management Server. Depending on theoperating system and hardware platform, the Agent capabilities will vary. The Console provides a graphicaluser interface (GUI) with a consistent look and feel for all the servers and devices maintained by theManagement Server.By leveraging industry standards, Director Multiplatform provides an extensible architecture that enablessolutions for easy integration with other systems management tools and applications, such as Tivoli Enterprise, Tivoli NetView, HP OpenView, Microsoft SMS, CA Unicenter, BMC Patrol and NetIQ.Using the collection of IBM Director Multiplatform tools, many administrators manual tasks can beautomated to proactively and remotely manage systems such as discovery, event logs and action plans, letransfer, inventory collection, process management, resource monitors and thresholds and more. Thepredictive and proactive capabilities associated with alerting and real-time system diagnostics helpmaximize server uptime and reduce service downtime costs. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, theproduct s ability to support cross-platform IBM and non-IBM (Intel processor-based) systems meanscustomers can protect existing infrastructure investments and manage heterogeneous environments.For xSeries servers and BladeCenter, Director Multiplatform provides additional exploitation of thehardware through inventory and alerts, asset tracking, diagnostic monitoring, capacity management andtroubleshooting.Untitled DocumentPage 5IBM _`Understanding Cluster Systems Management (CSM)IBM Cluster Systems Management (CSM) for AIX and Linux is a powerful solution that enables ITadministrators to easily manage large clusters of pSeries and xSeries servers. CSM is primarily gearedtowards commercial UNIX and High Performance Computing (HPC) customers. It provides capabilities tomanage a cluster of computers from one single point of control, called the management server. Machinesmanaged by CSM are called managed nodes, and each node can be a single machine or a logical partitionrunning an operating system image.CSM is designed to be modular and provide a fully integrated suite of tools that allows administrators to: Perform remote parallel network installs of nodes in the cluster for operating systems as well asapplications Update software across nodes in the cluster Remotely power on, power off and reboot machines in the cluster Monitor conditions of interest across machines in the cluster such as whether machines are up/down,applications or daemons are running, CPU, memory and le system utilization, etc. Automatically run responses when certain conditions occur in order to provide noti cation or runcorrective actions Form node groups to manage and monitor different machines inside a cluster as distinct entities Run probes to diagnose problems in the cluster Synchronize les across machines in the cluster and set up services in the cluster Run parallel distributed commands across the cluster and format the output Automatically set up security con guration between the management server and managed nodes atinstall timeA CSM cluster can include AIX on POWER" or Linux on POWER, xSeries, e325 and the IBM ~BladeCenter. CSM supports mixtures of these servers with an AIX management server.CSM was designed to be familiar to and adaptable for UNIX administrators. It provides command lineaccess to all cluster operations and data, enabling administrators to utilize scripting and automation forcluster administration. Most UNIX administrators deem this command line capability to be essential.Untitled DocumentPage 6IBM _`CSM is designed to handle distributed operations e.g., remote command execution, monitoring andautomated responses, installing and updating of nodes in parallel. It also provides a modular architecturethat allows administrators to choose which parts of CSM they wish to use and allows CSM to t easily intocustomer environments, a critical need when many UNIX environments have varying schemes in areassuch as user management.CSM was developed by the same lab that developed the PSSP software to manage the IBM SPcomputer; as such, it leverages years of experience with proven cluster technology and is providing atransition for customers who wish to move from PSSP to CSM.CSM has mechanisms to integrate more closely with HPC products and to install, con gure and monitorHPC cluster environments. In the future, it will provide additional capabilities in these areas.Comparing IBM Director Multiplatform and CSMCSM should be considered to be a targeted tool focused on UNIX and HPC environments. It is thedistributed systems management tool of choice for all pSeries clusters today, and for UNIX and HPCxSeries clusters.IBM Director Multiplatform should be viewed as a general distributed systems management tool thatsupports a variety of platforms. It is the systems management tool of choice for Windows environmentsand is expanding its breadth to provide greater capabilities across all IBM ~ platforms. IBM DirectorMultiplatform is dependent on the for-fee Remote Deployment Manager (RDM) package for installation ofthe OS.Moving forward, IBM Director Multiplatform and CSM will begin to share common components forfunctions such as install, hardware control and command line interfaces. CSM and IBM DirectorMultiplatform will work together without limitations. Customers who need a speci c UNIX solution canuse CSM, and they can also move up to greater generalized systems management capabilities withIBM Director Multiplatform.Untitled DocumentPage 7IBM _`Today, CSM and IBM Director Multiplatform can coexist with the following limitations (which will beremoved in a future release): CSM and Director Multiplatform cannot manage the same hardware control point (such as an xSeriesRSA adapter or BladeCenter Management Module). Since only one connection can be made at a timeto the hardware control point, the rst system that makes that connection can lock out the other. Inessence, if you have both IBM Director Multiplatform and CSM managing the same system, you mayonly use one for hardware control. Remote Deployment Manager (RDM) and CSM cannot coexist on the same subnet, as there will beDHCP and PXE con icts. If both RDM and CSM are set up to do installs, then each server needs to beon a local subnet to the node.IBM Director Multiplatform integration with CSMCSM provides integration with IBM Director Multiplatform so that both can be used together to managemachines from a single graphical console, sharing information and events with each other. Featuresinclude recognition of CSM management servers and nodes during system discovery, representation ofCSM-based cluster nodes in the IBM Director Multiplatform console as manageable entities, the ability toview CSM node attribute data using the console s inventory browser and the ability to create dynamicgroups of CSM nodes based on CSM node attribute data (as well as any other system inventory data).The Director Multiplatform integration for CSM also allows administrators to build event action plansbased on CSM conditions as well as other Director event types and gives them the ability to triggercorresponding Director Multiplatform actions based on RMC (Resource Monitoring and Control) subsystemevents. CSM and other Linux commands can be run on the cluster nodes or management server throughthe Director Multiplatform console.Untitled DocumentPage 8IBM _`Functional comparison between IBM Director Multiplatform and CSMThe table below shows a high-level functional comparison between IBM Director Multiplatform and CSM.(Subsequent tables will outline platform-speci c differences.)FunctionalityDirector MultiplatformCSMRecommendationsHardware con gurationCan automatically locatemanagement modulesMPA/Con g Wizard to helpset up switch, managementmodule, security settingsInvolves more manual stepsDirector Multiplatform hasmore automatic function andgreater assistance forhardware setup.Install and updating ofsoftwareRDM (Director s for-feeproduct for installs) supportsWindows and Linux on Intel.RDM does not support AIXor Linux on POWERSupports install andupdating of software forxSeries Linux, Linux onPOWER and AIXCSM should be used fornetwork installs andupdating of software of Linuxon POWER and AIX.InventoryOffers inventory of hardware,software and assetmanagementdsh command can be usedfor some hardware andsoftware inventoryDirector Multiplatform hasmore robust and convenientfunction in this area.Troubleshooting anddiagnosticsProvides hardware status forwhen a component goesbad.Provides power status,hardware status andinformation and diagnosticprobesEither product.Both offer good capabilitiesin this area.Event monitoringOS and hardware monitoringprovided, events can be runin responseOS and hardware monitoringprovided, events can be runin responseEither product.Both provide this function,albeit with different userconstructs. Typically, there ismore hardware monitoringavailable in DirectorMultiplatform.Untitled DocumentPage 9IBM _`Functions highlighted in blue are supported by Director but not by CSM.IBM Director Multiplatform function by platformThe table below illustrates that IBM Director Multiplatform provides a robust solution for xSeries andBladeCenter servers running Windows and Linux and will provide additional monitoring and inventorycapability for Linux on POWER and AIX on POWER.Function/platformxSeries LinuxLinux on POWERAIX on POWERWindowsDeploymentYesNoNoYesHardware controlYesNoNoYesMonitoring YesYes*YesYesInventoryYesYesYesYesGUIYesYesYesYesCommand lineinterfaceLimitedNoNoLimitedDirector Multiplatform Agents for Linux on POWER and AIX will be available in future releases. The Director Server Multiplatform is still onlyavailable on Windows or xSeries Linux.*The next two tables provide a function by platform comparison between IBM Director Multiplatform andCSM.Untitled DocumentPage 10IBM _`CSM function by platformAs the table below indicates, CSM provides an excellent UNIX operating system-based solution on AIX forPOWER, Linux for POWER and Linux on xSeries.Functions highlighted in blue are supported by CSM but not by Director.CSM does not support WindowsCSM does inventory through some provided commands and being able to run commands across nodes; it does not have a speci cinventory application.If there is an AIX management server and xLinux or pLinux nodes, the CSM GUI will be able to represent those xLinux and pLinux nodes aswell.******Function/platformxSeries LinuxLinux on POWERAIX on POWERWindows*DeploymentYesYesYesN/AHardware controlYesYesYesN/AMonitoringYesYesYesN/AInventory**YesYesYesN/AGUINo***No***YesN/ACommand lineinterfaceYesYesYesN/AUntitled DocumentPage 11IBM _`CSM and IBM Director Multiplatform: Some recommendationsThe table below offers some recommendations for when IBM Director Multiplatform or CSM might be thecorrect systems management tool to choose.IBM Director Multiplatform is recommended if you desire the following: CSM is recommended if you desire the following: Windows style or GUI for systems management tasks Windows-only environment Manage Windows and Linux together Higher-level management functions like completeHardware/Software Inventory, Capacity Manager (xSeriesonly), Application Workload Manager (xSeries only) More complete xSeries (PCI, ServeRAID, etc.) andBladeCenter hardware discovery and con guration support Support for non-IBM hardware as well as IBM hardware Command line and scripting ability for system administrationtasks pSeries Linux-only environment AIX-only environment Manage Linux and AIX together Manage pSeries and xSeries (Linux) together High Performance Computing environments (especiallyCluster 1350, Cluster 1600 or HPS switch customers) Systems management solution that ts into your speci cenvironmentCustomer environment recommendationsThe scenarios below illustrate some typical administrative environments and offer recommendations onwhether IBM Director Multiplatform or CSM might be the best choice for those environments. It isimportant to note that, in many cases where IBM Director Multiplatform is recommended, CSM can stilladd value. Likewise, in many cases where CSM is recommended, IBM Director Multiplatform can addvalue. This will become even more pronounced once the restrictions on their coexistence noted above havebeen lifted. 1. xSeries currently running Windows but who may move to LinuxIBM Director Multiplatform is the clear choice here, since CSM cannot manage Windowsenvironments. Recommendation: IBM Director Multiplatform. (Note: IBM Director 4.20 is also aviable solution for this environment.)2. 1350 xSeries clusterThis is an HPC or high-end Linux commercial customer with a technical IT staff who is used tocommand lines and scripting capabilities. Recommendation: CSM.Untitled DocumentPage 12IBM _`3. JS20 BladeCenter clusterCSM is the clear choice here, since install and updates cannot be done for pSeries Linux withIBM Director/RDM. Recommendation: CSM.4. HS20 BladeCenter clusterHas a mixture of Windows and Linux nodes, and is happy with a GUI for an administrativeinterface. Recommendation: IBM Director Multiplatform. (Note: IBM Director 4.20 is also a viablesolution for this environment.)5. Large distributed Intel processor-based cluster that may grow to include pSeries or iSeriesDirector would be the right choice because IBM Director Multiplatform will be the general systemsmanagement tool across the IBM ~ brands. Recommendation: IBM Director Multiplatform.6. pSeries POWER4" or pSeries POWER5"This customer is running Linux, AIX or a mixture. Since CSM is needed to do install and hardwarecontrol for pSeries hardware, it is the right choice. Recommendation: CSM.7. Linux on POWERSince CSM is needed to do install and hardware control for pSeries hardware, CSM is the rightchoice. Recommendation: CSM.8. PSSP TransitionThis customer needs an environment familiar from PSSP and will be staying either on AIX orpossibly moving to Linux. A robust and efficient command line will be required. Recommendation:CSM.Untitled DocumentPage 13IBM _`ConclusionIBM Director Multiplatform and CSM provide two excellent solutions for managing multiple IBM systems.Each product has its own strengths and areas in which it provides unique value.CSM will continue to be targeted as the systems management solution for delivering large and powerfulintegrated UNIX and HPC cluster solutions. IBM Director Multiplatform will continue to provide a highlevel of general distributed systems management capability for IBM ~ hardware.In future releases, CSM and IBM Director Multiplatform will start to share common components andprovide closer integration together. Both CSM and IBM Director Multiplatform will be able capable ofworking independently or together depending on the customer environment, providing the customer withgreatest amount of exibility and functionality for managing multiple systems.Untitled DocumentUntitled DocumentUntitled DocumentFor more informationCSM external mailing listibm.com/developerworks/oss/mailman/listinfo/csmCSM documentationhttp://publib.boulder.ibm.com/clresctr/windows/public/clusterbooks.htmlDirector Multiplatform additional information and documentation ibm.com/servers/eserver/xseries/systems_management/director_4.htmlibm.com/servers/eserver/about/virtualization IBM Corporation 2005IBM CorporationMarketing CommunicationsSystems GroupRoute 100Somers, New York 10589Produced in the United States of AmericaMonth 2005All Rights ReservedThis document was developed for productsand/or services offered in the United States.IBMmay not offer the products, features, orservices discussed in this document in othercountries. The information may be subject tochange without notice. Consult your localIBMbusiness contact for information on theproducts, features and services available in yourarea.All statements regarding IBM sfuture directionsand intent are subject to change or withdrawalwithout notice and represent goals andobjectives only.IBM, the IBM logo, the e-business logo,_`, AIX, AIX 5L, alphaWorks,BladeCenter, pSeries, RS/6000, SP, Tivoli andxSeries are trademarks or registered trademarksof International Business Machines Corporationin the United States or other countries or both.A full list of U.S. trademarks owned by IBMmaybe found at ibm.com/legal/copytrade.shtml.Intel is a trademark of Intel Corporation, Inc. inthe United States, other countries, or both.UNIX is a registered trademark of The OpenGroup in the United States and other countries.Opteron is a trademark of Advanced MicroDevices, Inc.Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds in theUnited States, other countries, or both.Windows is a registered trademark of MicrosoftCorporation in the United States, othercountries, or both.Myrinet is a trademark of Myricom, Inc.Other company, product, and service namesmay be trademarks or service marks of others.IBM hardware products are manufactured fromnew parts, or new and used parts. Regardless,our warranty terms apply.This equipment is subject to FCC rules. It willcomply with the appropriate FCC rules before nal delivery to the buyer.Information concerning non-IBMproducts wasobtained from the suppliers of these products.Questions on the capabilities of the non-IBMproducts should be addressed with thesuppliers.The IBM home page on the Internet can befound at ibm.com.More information about IBM_`Cluster1350 can be found atibm.com/servers/eserver/clusters.XBW01023-USEN-00
