4.1. The Linux FailSafe Cluster Manager Tools

You can perform the Linux FailSafe administrative tasks using either of the following tools:

• The Linux FailSafe Cluster Manager Graphical User Interface (GUI)

• The Linux FailSafe Cluster Manager Command Line Interface (CLI)

Although these tools use the same underlying software to configure and monitor a Linux FailSafe system, the GUI provides the following additional features, which are particularly important in a production system:

• Online help is provided with the Help button. You can also click any blue text to get more information about that concept or input field.

• The cluster state is shown visually for instant recognition of status, problems, and failovers.

• The state is updated dynamically for continuous system monitoring.

• All inputs are checked for correct syntax before attempting to change the cluster database information.In every task, the cluster configuration will not update until you click OK.

• Tasks and tasksets take you step-by-step through configuration and management operations, making actual changes to the cluster database as the you perform a task.

• The graphical tools can be run securely and remotely on any computer that has a Java virtual machine, including Windows® computers and laptops.

The Linux FailSafe Cluster Manager CLI, on the other hand, is more limited in its functions. It enables you to configure and administer a Linux FailSafe system using a command-line interface only on a Linux system. It provides a minimum of help or formatted output and does not provide dynamic status except when queried. An experienced Linux FailSafe administrator may find the Cluster Manager CLI to be convenient when performing basic Linux FailSafe configuration tasks, isolated single tasks in a production environment, or when running scripts to automate some cluster administration tasks.