The integrated Multiprocessing Kernel (MPK) is responsible for providing all multiprocessing capabilities in the NetWare 6.5 environment.
All core NetWare 6.5 services are multiprocessor-enabled, including the TCP/IP protocol stack, Novell eDirectory, and the NetWare Core Protocol (NCP) engine.
NetWare 6.5 accommodates both multiprocessor-aware and non-multiprocessor applications. Non-multiprocessor applications are simply funneled to processor 0, where they execute as if they were on a uniprocessor system.
Understanding Multiprocessor Concepts
Threads are the basis for multiprocessing. A thread is a single flow of execution within a server, responsible for completing one very specific task.
NetWare 6.5 uses a scheduler process and multiple local thread queues to distribute threads to processors for execution.
NetWare 6.5 uses a load-balancing algorithm to make sure that no processor is overloaded.
Multiprocessor Hardware Support
Platform Support Modules (PSM) provide a "driver" for multiple processors that abstracts the NetWare 6.5 operating system away from complexity of the multiprocessor hardware itself.
NetWare 6.5 provides a PSM compatible with the Intel Multiprocessor Specification (MPS), which will support any hardware designed using this specification.
Installing NetWare Cluster Services
You can install NetWare Cluster Services (NCS) from iManager. NetWare 6.5 ships with a license for a two-node cluster. Clusters of a larger size require additional licenses, which are purchased separately.
If you are upgrading an existing cluster environment to NetWare 6.5, make sure you perform the pre-upgrade routine in iManager prior to upgrading the cluster.
Configuring Clusters
Configure your cluster environment from the Cluster Config page in NoRM.
Cluster-enable a volume (storage pool) by selecting New Cluster Volume from the Cluster Config page in NoRM.
Cluster-enable an application or service by selecting New Cluster Resource from the Cluster Config page in NoRM.
Configure parameters for individual cluster resources in NoRM by selecting the resource from the Cluster Config page.
Monitoring Clusters
Monitor you cluster environment from the Cluster Management page in NoRM.
View the status of the cluster and the various cluster resources from the Cluster Management page in NoRM.