Configuring the LifeKeeper Server for GUI Administration
Perform the following steps for each LifeKeeper server. Each step contains references or links for more detailed instructions.
- You must install the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) or Java Software Development Kit (JDK) on each server. See the SPS for Linux Release Notes for the required Java version and URL to access the required download. Note: You may install the JRE from the SPS Installation Image File by running the setup script from the installation image file and opting only to install the JRE. (See the SPS for Linux Installation Guide for more information.)
- Start the LifeKeeper GUI Server on each server (see Starting/Stopping the GUI Server). Note: Once the GUI Server has been started following an initial installation, starting and stopping LifeKeeper will start and stop all LifeKeeper daemon processes including the GUI Server.
- If you plan to allow users other than root to use the GUI, then you need to Configure GUI Users.
Running the GUI
You can run the LifeKeeper GUI:
- on the LifeKeeper server in the cluster and/or
- on the LifeKeeper server in the cluster and/or
- on a remote system outside the cluster
- on a remote system outside the cluster
See Running the GUI on the LifeKeeper Server for information on configuring and running the GUI on a server in your LifeKeeper cluster.
See Running the GUI on a Remote System for information on configuring and running the GUI on a remote system outside your LifeKeeper cluster.
GUI Configuration
| GUI Client and Server Communication | The LifeKeeper GUI client and server use Java Remote Method Invocation (RMI) to communicate. For RMI to work correctly, the client and server must use resolvable hostnames or IP addresses. If DNS is not implemented (or names are not resolvable using other name lookup mechanisms), edit the /etc/hosts file on each client and server to include the names and addresses of all other LifeKeeper servers. |
| GUI Server Java Platform | The LifeKeeper GUI server requires that the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) – Java virtual machine, the Java platform core classes and supporting files – be installed. The JRE for Linux is available on the SPS for Linux Installation Image File (See the SPS for Linux Installation Guide) or it can be downloaded directly from http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html. (Note: If downloading directly from this site, make sure you download Version 1.8 (x64). 32-bit JRE is not supported.) Note: By default, the LifeKeeper GUI server expects the JRE on each server to be installed in the directory /usr/java/jre1.8.0_51. If this is not found, it will look in the directory /usr/java/jdk1.8.0_51 for a Java Software Development Kit (JDK). If you want to use a JRE or JDK in another directory location, you must edit the PATH in the LifeKeeper default file /etc/default/LifeKeeper to include the directory containing the java interpreter, java.exe. If LifeKeeper is running when you edit this file, you should stop and restart the LifeKeeper GUI server to recognize the change. Otherwise, the LifeKeeper GUI will not be able to find the Java command. |
| Java Remote Object Registry Server Port | The LifeKeeper GUI server uses port 82 for the Java remote object registry on each LifeKeeper server. This should allow servers to support RMI calls from clients behind typical firewalls. |
| LifeKeeper Administration Web Server | The LifeKeeper GUI server requires an administration web server for client browser communication. Currently, the LifeKeeper GUI server is using a private copy of the lighttpd web server for its administration web server. This web server is installed and configured by the steeleye-lighttpd package and uses port 81 to avoid a conflict with other web servers. |
| GUI Client Network Access | LifeKeeper GUI clients require network access to all hosts in the LifeKeeper cluster. When running the LifeKeeper GUI client in a browser, you will have to lower the security level to allow network access for applets. Be careful not to visit other sites with security set to low values (e.g., change the security settings only for intranet or trusted sites). |
GUI Limitations
| GUI Interoperability Restriction | The LifeKeeper for Linux client may only be used to administer LifeKeeper on Linux servers. The LifeKeeper for Linux GUI will not interoperate with LifeKeeper for Windows. |
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