Setting Up the MapR Control System

Installing the webserver and apiserver

In prior releases, the mapr-webserver package contained both the MCS UI static files and the server running the Java application. Starting from v6.0, the UI static files are in mapr-webserver and the mapr-apiserver runs the server that sends the queries. The apiserver allows you to perform cluster administration programmatically.

When you install mapr-webserver, the mapr-apiserver is automatically installed because of the dependency on the mapr-apiserver to perform the queries. If mapr-webserver is installed, you can use the MCS graphical user interface to manage your cluster. You can also install the mapr-apiserver independently to run APIs or web clients that query or programmatically access MapR-FS, MapR-DB, and other components; however, without the webserver, the MCS UI will not be available on this node to perform administrative tasks using the UI.

To install the webserver and/or apiserver, see Installing MapR and/or MapR Ecosystem Components. If you install using the MapR Installer, by default, the installer selects one instance of the mapr-webserver and mapr-apiserver to install. You can specify additional webserver and/or apiserver instances to install in the Configure Service Layout page. If you install manually, run the appropriate command on the node to install the mapr-webserver and/or mapr-apiserver packages. For more information on the command to run, see Step 3: Install MapR Service Packages.

For the purposes of high availability, the recommendation is to run at least 2 instances of the webserver and 2 instances of the apiserver.

Configuring Metrics and Logging to Enable Metrics Visualization

During installation using the MapR Installer, you can configure metrics and logging using settings on the Monitoring page of the MapR Installer user interface. The metrics collection infrastructure must be installed because the MapR Control System relies on these metrics to provide graphs and charts. If the metrics collection infrastructure is not installed, you cannot visualize the metrics in the panes on the MapR Control System. If you did not install metrics collection or logging during your initial installation, you can add it later by selecting the feature during an Incremental Install.

Browser Compatibility

The MapR Control System is web-based, and works with the following browsers:

• Chrome 58 and later
• Safari 11.x for v6.0.1

  Safari 10.x for v6.0

  NOTE: Safari Private Window is not supported.
• Firefox 53 and later
• Microsoft Edge 14
• Internet Explorer 11 and later
  NOTE: Internet Explorer 11 is not supported for v6.0.1.

Launching MapR Control System

To use the MapR Control System (MCS), navigate to the host that is running the WebServer in the cluster. MapR Control System access to the cluster is typically via HTTP on port 8080 or via HTTPS on port 8443. You should disable pop-up blockers in your browser to allow MapR to open help links in new browser tabs.

The first time you open the MCS via HTTPS from a new browser, the browser alerts you that the security certificate is unrecognized. This is normal behavior for a new connection. Add an exception in your browser to allow the connection to continue.