Specializations › Servers and data storage systems › Solutions for medium business

The basic IT services and server equipment of a data processing center (DPC) of a medium-size enterprise are intended for creation of a reliable system platform for automated servicing of user workstations, as well as for ensuring the operation of application sets.

Medium-size enterprise is an enterprise or branch with the number of employees from 100 to 500 persons. In contrast to small enterprises, where the IT infrastructure is simplified and provides an acceptable level of IT services, the functioning of DPCs of medium-size enterprises requires the maximum support of the business.

Given below is a version of designing of hardware and software complex for data storage and processing that uses equipment manufactured by Hewlett-Packard and software licensed by  Microsoft.

Depending on the requirements to the information support of the business, various techniques are used.

Techniques of building of hardware and software complex for data storage and processing:

 

 

Task

 

Solution tools
  • Continuous round-the-clock mode of operation with high level of availability;
  • System resistance to hardware malfunction and failure;
  • Step-by-step initial build-up of calculation capacities.

 

Technology of clustering

Failover Clustering and load distribution Network Load Balancing (NLB) from Microsoft

 
  • Openness and centralization of architecture and resources;
  • Possibility to build up functional possibilities;
  • System modularity;
  • Element interchangeability and unification;
  • Minimum power consumption and overall dimensions;
  • Minimized cost;
  • Simplicity of operation.

 

 

Highly integrated

Blade systems from Hewlett-Packard
  • Workability when the number of users is increased within the parameters supported by hardware and software environment;
  • Maximum effective utilization of physical resources;
  • High speed of service restoration after failure.

 

Virtualization technology based on Hyper-V from Microsoft of software from VMware
  • Reliable data storage
  • High data availability
  • Capacity and speed of the disk subsystem operation meets the requirements of the applications
  • Flexible redistribution of disk resources

 

Corporate storage system of initial level EVA4400 from

Hewlett-Packard
  • High-speed commutation of the servers and storage system
  •  
  • Fast and easy configuring

 

Technology of fast data storage and exchange networks SAN
  • Automated backup
  • Reliable storage of archives
  • Autonomous and prompt archiving

 

Corporate library on tape storage MSL2024 manufactured by

Hewlett-Packard

 
  • Convenient management of the whole infrastructure
  • Flexible configuring of computational power and data storage resources

 

Server software from Microsoft and specialized applications from

Hewlett-Packard

 

 

In the calculation of the DPC parameters the following basic indicator of purpose is used – the maximum number of users is 500 persons.

We propose to base the server complex on blade basket c7000 form Hewlett-Packard, completed with six poser supply units backupped as to 5+1 scheme, backup FC switches Brocarde for organizing the SAN network and twinned “copper” switches from Cisco.

The structure diagram of the solutions looks as follows:

 

 

For unification purposes the used servers are of the same type, BL460c series from Hewlett-Packard. Such approach makes it possible to quickly restore the availability of services and simple migration of virtual machines.

Functional purpose of the equipment:

 

Equipment

 

Functional purpose

 

Physical server #1

 

Cluster, on which virtual servers are running that provide basic IT services: 2хDC, file, print, RMS SCOM nodes

 

Physical server #2

 

 

Physical server #3

 

Cluster, on which virtual servers are running that provide basic IT services: exchange mailbox, hub, EDGE, CAS, ISA server

 

Physical server #4

 

 

Physical server #5

 

SQL cluster, resistant to hardware failures

 

Physical server #6

 

 

Physical server #7

 

Cluster of non-crucial services: SRV dpm, sccm, ACS SCOM, VMM

 

Physical server #8

 

Cluster of terminal access from remote work places and thin clients

 

Physical server #9

 

 

Physical server #10

 

 

Physical server #11

 

 

Physical server #12

 

Cluster of Cisco networking equipment and storage systems EVA4400 and MSL2024 management

 

Physical server #13

 

 

Physical server #14

 

Application cluster

 

Physical server #15

 

 

Physical server #16

 

Reserve server

 

Brocade 4/12 SAN Switch

 

Backup optical switches on the basis of which the SAN network of data storage and processing is organized

 

Brocade 4/12 SAN Switch

 

 

Cisco 3020 Switch

 

Backup “copper” switches that ensure the connection of the backup pool with the network core

 

Cisco 3020 Switch

 

 

С7000

 

 

Blade basket, into which blade servers, switches, power supply and ventilation units and additional commutation and control equipment are integrated

 

 

Storage system EVA4400

 

 

Initial-level corporate-class storage system that ensures reliable data storage and virtualization of disk resource

 

 

Tape library MSL2024

 

 

Tape library that automatically archives data according to predefined operation schedule

 

 

In order to lower the cost of the solution and if there is no need in the complete set of IT services of guaranteed availability, this system can be simplified.

If a company with 100 to 150 employees has a limited budget, but still wants to obtain the minimum set of services preserving at the same time a larger part of the above mentioned advantages, there is a possibility to shorten the list of required equipment:

  • servers 1-4,7,12-13 can be replaced by a cluster of two servers;
  • number of servers in the terminal cluster is reduced by two times;
  • do without the reserve cluster;
  • do without the server unification;
  • use server with more powerful processors and maximally use virtualization technologies;
  • replace tape library MSL2024 with blade streamer SB1760c Tape Blade.

As a result of simplification the system is reduced to six servers and can be accommodated in blade basket с3000, which is more cost-effective and requiring smaller initial investments, but inferior to с7000 as to functionality.

In addition to basket С3000, for further reduction of the cost, simpler storage systems of MSA2024fc series from Hewlett-Packard can be used.

The choice between the economic and functional version must be done at the stage of designing taking into account the prospects of the business development during the next three years.

 

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