Hi list,

I just signed up to the list - please forgive any newb mistakes but hopefully 
I'm following the right format, style and content.

I currently work in a production environment with eight app servers, all 
running the same version of Tomcat (currently 7.0.62).  Four servers support 
version 1 of our app, the other four servers support version 2.  Within each 
group of four, two serve completely open content via 80, the other two support 
queries of sensitive data via 443.  Servers are named with a number system 
where all odd-named servers are for the secure content, all evens are open.  

So here's the setup in a hopefully clearer portrayal:

App Version 1:
Server 01: secure queries via 443
Server 02: open content via 80
Server 03: secure queries via 443
Server 04: open content via 80

App Version 2:
Server 05: secure queries via 443
Server 06: open content via 80
Server 07: secure queries via 443
Server 08: open content via 80

Each pair of even and odd named servers are *conceptually* linked, but 
physically stand on their own.  All http traffic and https traffic for each 
version is directed to a particular server by a load balancer.  No Apache Web 
Server is in the mix and we would like to keep it that way for simplicity.  
Load-wise, our eight Tomcats are not taxed.

I'm responsible for upkeep of these servers, which requires regular version 
upgrades and configuration changes when any vulnerability is found by regular, 
periodic Nessus scans 
(http://www.tenable.com/products/nessus-vulnerability-scanner).  Sometimes the 
changes are related to ciphers, sometimes other things, but I'd say 90% of the 
time, I just need to upgrade to a newer version.

So no big deal conceptually, I fully admit, but doing this across eight servers 
is TEDIOUS.  And more importantly, it's a ripe opportunity for introducing user 
error.  On three occasions I have brought our production systems by stupid 
mistakes in server.xml or other config files, or most recently, accidentally 
copying the wrong ROOT from a version 2 (05) box into the version one boxes (01 
and 03). I got things up and running fine with no serious consequences but this 
being the third time, I thought "there has to be a better way" right after I 
talked myself off the "you're a complete idiot" ledge.  

I'm starting to research Tomcat clustering but everything I see just talks 
about load balancing and failover.  **What about ease of configuration??** I'd 
like to be able to set up Tomcat <something> (clusters?) to help automate what 
I've described above to make it less tedious and reduce the chances of making 
stupid mistakes when I'm on the 6th, 7th, 8th server.  I'm not sure if Tomcat 
clustering is what I need, or if I should look at something else.

Can you nice folks help direct me to where I should look for starters?  Will 
Tomcat clustering get me what I want?  or something else, like Zookeeper?

Thanks,
Mark Bramer

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