fP transaction-based clustering - viability?

[GCC Consulting]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: filepro-list-bounces at lists.celestial.com 
> [mailto:filepro-list-bounces at lists.celestial.com] On Behalf 
> Of Fairlight
> Sent: Friday, November 05, 2004 5:56 AM
> To: filePro Mailing List
> Subject: fP transaction-based clustering - viability?
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> I'm curious how many people have multiple fP servers out 
> there which have data on them that they wish to keep 
> synchronized in near-realtime (say less than 2min 
> propagation) or in -actual- full realtime, in a transactional fashion.
> 
> Several people are using rsync, ftp, scp, et al. as more 
> periodic (nightly or a few times per day) backup/sync 
> "solutions", but that simply doesn't cut it if you have two 
> or five web servers, all of which are supposed to be 
> load-balanced and serving the same data at any given point, 
> or if you have multiple servers which are used to balance the 
> load of internal operations but run into the same issue--all 
> data isn't always present on every server immediately.  And 
> even rsync isn't safe for realtime work when files are in 
> use.  Too many timing issues.  NFS has its definite 
> downsides--even using
> v3 of NFS.
> 
> We need transactions, IMHO.  At least -some- places do.  I'm 
> trying to get a feel for the bigger picture, and whether this 
> is worth the expenditure of time and effort to design and get 
> it working reliably.  It's not what I'd call a trivial or 
> even semi-trivial "pet" project that I usually work on in my 
> Copious Spare Time.  :)
> 
> So...I'm asking, up-front and out-loud, whether anyone else 
> here at all is interested in such a synchronization scenario 
> coming to fruition (*unix or 'doze...doesn't matter with what 
> I have in mind) as an external hook-in, since I kind of doubt 
> fP-Tech will be doing this Anytime Real Soon.  I'm also 
> curious what those that may be interested in such a solution 
> would consider such a solution worth in monetary terms.
> 
> Feel free to answer on-list or in private.  I read the list, 
> so either is fine with me.
> 
> TIA.
> 
> mark->


Mark,

MS Server running fP native.

I am currently looking into solutions for MS based servers for one of my
client's.

One is from Veritas and the other from Availl.  

What my client is real-time sync of the data.  He doesn't want to be in a
situation of being down for more the time it takes to have his staff switch by
using the backup icon to their fp program located in a folder on their desktop. 

Right now the data is copied to the backup server each night.  However, 2 order
clerks process about 300 orders a day and they have hired a third order clerk as
they have added another 500 or so stores needing to be processed(order do not
come in from all of the stores each day).

Richard Kreiss
GCC Consulting