In the nineties, the very suggestion of putting Microsoft into the data centre - an area dominated by Unix-operating systems - would have been enough to raise a laugh.
Times have changed dramatically, however, to the point where Microsoft technologies - and, significantly, its familiar Windows Server operating system - are not only viable for the data centre, but are being adopted as they offer significant benefits over more expensive and difficult to maintain alternatives.
According to Jacques Loubser, managing executive of Business Connexion`s Microsoft Competency, the launch of Windows Data Centre heralded a new era for enterprise computing.
"The era of Unix-based software was effectively over. While adoption following the initial announcement was certainly not spectacular, as the market quite predictably sought to `sweat` the assets already purchased, the reality is that the volume pricing models associated with Microsoft products could not be ignored."
However, Loubser stresses that in enterprise computing environments, cost does not play as significant a role as it might in the desktop market. Rather, determinants of value include availability, reliability, scalability and manageability, as well as the question of security.
"It is in these areas that Microsoft had the most work to do - to convince corporate technology departments that they can safely migrate enterprise systems to Windows, as a more cost-effective platform, without sacrificing the reliability and security critical to demanding business environments," he says.
But a significant risk that must be addressed when implementing the Microsoft data centre technology is the divide between typical Microsoft back office administration and management practices, and the `mainframe` disciplines that need to exist in the data centre. These disciplines include up-to-date architectural documents and change and configuration management best practices. There is also a need for the combination of a highly skilled Windows Server administrator and an experienced mainframe data centre veteran all-in-one, not a common skills set.
Addressing the issue of security, he says this has become a sharp focus for Redmond. Microsoft offers a line of integrated server software products that provide the infrastructure for IT operations, application development and integration, security and collaboration.
Among the new features that will be introduced, and which contribute to improved data centre reliability and performance from an operating system, is Microsoft`s Windows Systems Resource Manager (WSRM). WSRM provides resource management and enables the allocation of resources, including processor and memory resources, among multiple applications based on business priorities. WSRM can be used by organisations to implement tight operational processes to predictably meet service level requirements, maximise the return on IT investments, and manage a changing mix of workloads.
One of the key reasons for the secure and reliable Microsoft Windows data centre product is that only qualified OEMs, whose hardware has passed rigorous compatibility tests, can license and support the product. This in itself reduces downtime and ensures 100% fit between product and hardware vendor.
There is, of course, a lot more than just an operating system in the data centre. From an applications perspective, Microsoft has recently launched Microsoft SQL 2005 and for the data centre, SQL Enterprise addition. Microsoft`s SQL Server offering has matured considerably over the years and is a popular choice in the data centre. Key features include unlimited CPU support, partitioning, advanced performance tuning, and advanced data management, to name but a few.
The move to Microsoft in the data centre has not been a dramatic one - which is hardly surprising. However, critical mass is being achieved, as Windows Server 2003 offers a cost-effective solution for reliability. The improvements in the new product, and investments processor manufactures have made in Intel hardware, mean that performance for many data centre and e-commerce applications may exceed those that current non-Microsoft solutions offer. It makes a compelling argument for conversion to Microsoft.
In conclusion, Loubser notes that as a provider of managed technology services, Business Connexion can deliver Microsoft data centre technologies as a core component of outsource contracts. He says: "With the establishment of our new data centre in Midrand, we are increasing our ability to host Microsoft-based servers and infrastructure with the levels of protection associated with an advanced environment."
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