Johannesburg, 17 Jan 2003
In answer to throughput and capacity challenges, Simba South Africa has installed a direct attached storage (DAS) system with the help of local infrastructure and solutions provider, Datacentrix.
"We considered implementing a storage area network (SAN), however, cost concerns led us to consider DAS, which turned out to be the best option for our particular environment," comments Paul Teanby, IT Manager at Simba SA.
DAS is a storage device that connects directly to a single server that, in addition to handling the storage and retrieval of data files, also handles applications such as e-mail or databases.
Loren Silverman, Datacentrix account manager, says the DAS implementation simplifies the addition of storage capacity to the network. "When the internal storage capacity of your server is maximised, simply adding a storage array allows you to increase network storage capacity without adding the management headaches associated with adding another server on the network."
The use of hot swappable components at Simba meant that should a system component fail, its workload is picked up by a redundant component. The failed component can be replaced or repaired without taking the system offline.
In order to verify whether the DAS system would be able to perform with Simba`s data load, the company`s 500GB database was downloaded to a Compaq DAS and tests were run on site at Compaq. "Once we saw the DAS in action, we knew that this was the right system for our requirements," comments Teanby.
After implementation, Simba`s storage capacity was bumped up to 800GB, while a definite throughput increase was experienced. Adds Silverman: "Direct attached storage allows you to easily scale as your organisation grows. Simba started out with about 500GB and can easily grow their storage capacity."
Datacentrix was also responsible for Simba`s countrywide desktop roll out to a total of 26 locations. Although Simba created the computer images, they were modified and then loaded by Datacentrix.
Says Teanby: "Although we were truly satisfied with Datacentrix`s performance on the installation side, it was in the training arena where we saw the greatest benefit. Datacenrix spent time with the users ensuring that they were familiar and comfortable with the new computing environment."
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