# Apache and SMB high availability configuration

**URL:** <https://forums.suse.com/t/apache-and-smb-high-availability-configuration/23476>\
**Category:** SLES High Availability Extension\
**Created:** [January 4, 2013, 11:27pm UTC](https://forums.suse.com/t/apache-and-smb-high-availability-configuration/23476 "2013-01-04T23:27:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mvillon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/0ea827/32.png) [@mvillon](https://forums.suse.com/u/mvillon)\
**Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 11:27pm UTC](https://forums.suse.com/t/apache-and-smb-high-availability-configuration/23476/1 "2013-01-04T23:27:13Z")

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HI … I need configure HA with SLES11 SP2 for apache and samba services … I have read book\_ha pdf but I don’t find information for apache … I’d like step-by-step for apache and samba HA… If you have this information or link, please provide it …

thanks

vanessa  
[vanessav@it-synergy.net](mailto:vanessav@it-synergy.net)

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**Author:** ![Jens-U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d78d45/32.png) [@Jens-U](https://forums.suse.com/u/Jens-U)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 11:37pm UTC](https://forums.suse.com/t/apache-and-smb-high-availability-configuration/23476/2 "2013-01-06T23:37:40Z")

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Hi Vanessa,

while simply providing static content via Apache / HA is a rather easy task and well covered across the net, the devil is into the details:

- will you need to have persistent sessions across all Apache nodes?
- is there more to it than Apache, i.e. some back-end application, probably even a Tomcat or alike?
- do you want load balancing or simply HA?
- how many service-providing nodes are there?
- where does the (static) content (that your Apache is to serve) come from? Is that HA as well?
- what other components do you need to be HA, in terms of a “complete HA” solution?
- how do _you_ define HA?

Regards,  
Jens

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**Author:** ![vanessav](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ecd19e/32.png) [@vanessav](https://forums.suse.com/u/vanessav)\
**Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 5:49pm UTC](https://forums.suse.com/t/apache-and-smb-high-availability-configuration/23476/3 "2013-01-07T17:49:32Z")

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Hi Jens … thanks for your answer … Into My enviroment I have 2 servers with apache for publish my web site. I need implement HA because this site always must be up, not load balancing.

the content came from a NAS storage (both servers see the same content) …

I need configure High Availability with all options for 2 servers, that garantize my service always available.

Greetings,

Vanessa

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**Author:** ![Jens-U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d78d45/32.png) [@Jens-U](https://forums.suse.com/u/Jens-U)\
**Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 6:45pm UTC](https://forums.suse.com/t/apache-and-smb-high-availability-configuration/23476/4 "2013-01-07T18:45:10Z")

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Hi Vanessa,

> that garantize my service always available.

nope, impossible. 😉 “always” is a very strict term.

Just to give you a starting point, you might go the following route:

- set up a two-node HAE cluster using SLES11 + HAE
- define an IPAddr2 resource for the IP address of the clustered
- define an Apache2 resource
- add an order constraint (Apache requires IP)
- add a location constraint (Apache requires IP on the same node)
- configure your Apaches on the nodes
- start heartbeat

There can (and most probably will) be tons of other configuration adaptions necessary:

- fencing on a two-node cluster needs special care (what if both nodes start the resources, esp. the IP address?)
- you might get away with switching only the IP address, depending on your IP stack setup on the nodes (by running Apache constantly you’ll have quicker fail-overs, but Apache might need the desired IP address visible on the node to start up properly and bind to that IP)
- you still have a possible SPOF (NAS) or two… (network between NAS and servers, between servers and clients, power, …)

Seems I misplaced my “building a complete cluster in 5 steps” book 😉 but in the combination of manuals and all those implementation notes out there, you ought to find your way. And we’ll be here for specific question.

Just keep in mind: HA is a design principle, not something you set up by installing two servers. That’d be like trying to win a Formula 1 race with one of those British kit cars… but those Brits will take you from A to B rather stylishly, so if that’s what you need, why not go for it?

Regards,  
Jens