Remote administration using clusters

In an IBM® MQ network using distributed queuing, every queue manager is independent. If one queue manager needs to send messages to another queue manager, it must define a transmission queue, a channel to the remote queue manager, and a remote queue definition for every queue to which it wants to send messages.

A cluster is a group of queue managers set up in such a way that the queue managers can communicate directly with one another over a single network without complex transmission queue, channel, and queue definitions. Clusters can be set up easily, and typically contain queue managers that are logically related in some way and need to share data or applications. Even the smallest cluster reduces system administration costs.

Establishing a network of queue managers in a cluster involves fewer definitions than establishing a traditional distributed queuing environment. With fewer definitions to make, you can set up or change your network more quickly and easily, and reduce the risk of making an error in your definitions.

To set up a cluster, you need one cluster sender (CLUSSDR) and one cluster receiver (CLUSRCVR) definition for each queue manager. You do not need any transmission queue definitions or remote queue definitions. The principles of remote administration are the same when used within a cluster, but the definitions themselves are greatly simplified.