Cassandra Setup

The provided Cassandra package and setup scripts were designed for either a single-node or a multi-node environments.

Follow the setup script for a proper configuration, depending on your environment.

The script should be run separately on each node, in the order of designated node numbers. It should not be run simultaneously as this might cause configurational and operational issues.

Version Considerations

Ensure the correct Python version is installed on Fabric nodes where Cassandra tools are invoked.

• Cassandra 3.11.14 requires Python 2.7 for utilities like cqlsh.
• Cassandra 4.0.3 and 4.1.3 require Python 3.6 or higher.

Users deploying Cassandra 4.x (4.0.3 or 4.1.3) need Python 3.6+ for running cqlsh and other tools.

Note: On systems such as RHEL 7 that default to Python 2.7, be sure to explicitly install and use a Python 3 interpreter (e.g., python3) when invoking Cassandra utilities.

Version-Specific Behavior
The provided setup script is compatible with Cassandra 3.11.14, 4.0.3, and 4.1.3. However, ensure that the Python interpreter you use corresponds to the Cassandra version:

• Use python (pointing to Python 2.7) for Cassandra 3.11.14.
• Use python3 (Python 3.6+) for Cassandra 4.x.
  All other package setup steps (download, unpacking, script execution) remain identical across supported versions.

Pre-Installation Steps

1. Make sure all Cassandra-related activities were performed; click here to get the full list of activities.

2. Verify that the correct Python version is being used for the provided Cassandra package link stated below

   python --version
   

For Cassandra 4.x Configurations
After setup, please review your cassandra.yaml for deprecated options (such as allocate_tokens_for_keyspace) and update Java/TLS settings in line with Cassandra 4.x performance and security guidelines.

Load the Package on all Nodes

1. Log in to the previously created user that was designated to the Cassandra installation.

2. Download the latest Cassandra package (located here).

3. Log in to the Linux server as the Cassandra user and copy the package to the home directory.

4. Untar the package (the package name varies according to the version) as follows:

   tar -zxvf k2v_cassandra-x.xx.xxx.tar.gz -C /opt/apps/cassandra && source /opt/apps/cassandra/.bash_profile
   

Note: The setup script will use the folder it runs from.

Set up the Cassandra Nodes

The number of seed nodes should match the chosen replication factor number.

Required mandatory details:

• Seed node IPs
• Cassandra admin user
• Cassandra admin password

Optional details:

• DataCenter name – unless defined otherwise, the default will be set as DC1
• Cluster name – unless defined otherwise, the default will be set as Cassandra
• Replication factor number
• Hardening and SSl configuration, TBD

Multi-Node Setup

1. Run the following command on the seed nodes only (start with the 1st node, then run it one by one on the 2nd and 3rd):

   /opt/apps/cassandra/cassandra-setup.sh --cassandra_seeds 10.0.0.1,10.0.0.2,10.0.0.3 --cassandra_user k2admin --cassandra_password changeit --cassandra_replication_factor 3
   

2. Once all seed nodes are up and running, run the same command on the rest of the Cassandra nodes (one by one):

   In case you have no additional nodes, run the command on one of the existing seed nodes to finalize configuration.

   /opt/apps/cassandra/cassandra-setup.sh --cassandra_seeds 10.0.0.1,10.0.0.2,10.0.0.3 --cassandra_user k2admin --cassandra_password changeit --cassandra_replication_factor 3
   

Single-Node Setup

1. Run the following command:

   /opt/apps/cassandra/cassandra-setup.sh --listeners --cassandra_user k2admin --cassandra_password changeit
   

Cassandra cluster - Start, Shutdown, and Status

• To stop the Cassandra cluster, run the following command on each node (seed nodes should be shut down last):

  /opt/apps/cassandra/cassandra/bin/stop-server
  

• To start the Cassandra cluster, run the following command on each node, one by one, (seed nodes should be started first):

  /opt/apps/cassandra/cassandra/bin/cassandra
  

  ~

• To check all nodes statuses, run the nodetool command:

  /opt/apps/cassandra/cassandra/bin/nodetool -u k2admin -pw changeit status