Howto Setup Linux Apache Web Server Cluster with Linux Virtual Server and Heartbeat

This article explains howto setup and running with the Linux Virtual Server and Linux-HA.org's Heartbeat in 5 easy steps. You can construct a highly available Apache Web server cluster that spans multiple physical or virtual Linux servers with Linux Virtual Server (LVS) and Heartbeat v2:

Spreading a workload across multiple processors, coupled with various software recovery techniques, provides a highly available environment and enhances overall RAS (Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability) of the environment. Benefits include faster recovery from unplanned outages, as well as minimal effects of planned outages on the end user.

This article illustrates the robust Apache Web server stack with 6 Apache server nodes (though 3 nodes is sufficient for following the steps outlined here) as well as 3 Linux Virtual Server (LVS) directors. We used 6 Apache server nodes to drive higher workload throughputs during testing and thereby simulate larger deployments. The architecture presented here should scale to many more directors and backend Apache servers as your resources permit, but we haven't tried anything larger ourselves. Figure 1 shows our implementation using the Linux Virtual Server and the linux-ha.org components.

However article failed to mention few things such as redundant networking, a cluster file system / shared storage and other stuff. Nevertheless tutorial is a good start for new Linux admin.

=> Set up a Web server cluster in 5 easy steps

Featured Articles:

• 20 Linux System Monitoring Tools Every SysAdmin Should Know
• 20 Linux Server Hardening Security Tips
• Linux: 20 Iptables Examples For New SysAdmins
• My 10 UNIX Command Line Mistakes
• 25 PHP Security Best Practices For Sys Admins
• The Novice Guide To Buying A Linux Laptop
• Top 5 Email Client For Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows Users
• Top 20 OpenSSH Server Best Security Practices
• Top 10 Open Source Web-Based Project Management Software