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Installing a Multi Node dCache Instance

The previous section decsribed how to install a single node dCache installation. A typically medium-sized dCache installation will however have a single head node hosting the name space provider and other central components, and a number of pool nodes. It is common to also use pool nodes as FTP and DCAP doors.

The Chimera file system must be mounted on all nodes running either the SRM or GridFTP. Client nodes relying on dCap access without using URLs also need to mount Chimera. Pools do not need a mount anymore. Having a mount on the Chimera/NFS3-server node itself is always a good idea as it eases maintenance.

To mount the Chimera file system, either modify config/chimera-config.xml such that it points towards the correct PostgreSQL host and start a local Chimera NFSv3 server locally, or mount the NFS file system exported from the head node. In the latter case, set NAMESPACE_NODE in etc/node_config to the host running the Chimera NFSv3 server.

For the head node, follow the description of the previous chapter, but do not create any pools. For pools and for dCap or GridFTP doors, PostgreSQL is not needed and installation of PostgreSQL can be skipped on nodes that only hosts these services. Proceed by creating config/dCacheSetup; serviceLocatorHost has to be set to the name of the head node. In etc/node_config leave NODE_TYPE empty. Add any doors you want to start on this node to SERVICES and set NAMESPAE to chimera. Run install/install.sh to finish the installation. Finally, use dcache pool create and dcache pool add to create and add pools on this node.