WEG Test Cluster

Mirroring the production clusters

The Test Cluster replicates the WEG production environment as closely as possible so that web developers can test web sites and applications under development in a production-like setting while leaving their current live web sites undisturbed.

The Test Cluster will also enable us to test upgrades to Apache, MySQL, Tomcat, PHP and other server applications before they are launched into production to see if they impact our sites in any way.

The WEG production clusters utilize numerous Sun Enterprise servers managed by Sun Cluster technology to provide scalability and rapid failover. We have designed the Test Cluster to mirror this configuration. Paths and settings are identical wherever possible between the test and production clusters.

How to access the test cluster

Everyone with an account on the WEG Publishing Server web.ucar.edu also has an account on the Test Cluster at webtest.ucar.edu. You can access webtest.ucar.edu in the same way, using ssh, scp, ftp or sftp. For every virtual Apache host running on the production clusters, there is a virtual host running on the Test Cluster. This means you can get right to work using the Test Cluster.

Java developers will need to send a request to webmaster@ucar.edu indicating which production Tomcat server hostname they would like a test instance for. Java developers will receive a login to the web-based Tomcat Manager application which enables WAR file deployment and control on the test cluster.

File Management

All of the top level directories present in the /web directory at web.ucar.edu are also present on webtest.ucar.edu, but they are empty. You are in complete control over how you manage your files on the test and production clusters. Please note that whenever you have multiple versions of your site, it is important to think through how you will manage that. Our documentation includes instructions on how to copy your production site to your test site and vice versa. If you have questions or concerns about managing your files, please contact us at webmaster@ucar.edu.

If you are developing a new site or application that the WEG does not already host, email us and provide as much detail as you can about how you would like your production environment configured including what languages you will be using (Java/JSP, PHP, Perl, Python, Server-Side Includes or simply HTML).