HDS has announced its participation in the Microsoft System Architecture (MSA) for the Enterprise Data Centre (EDC).
Fanie van Rensburg, MD of local HDS distributor Shoden Data Systems, explains that the programme pre-tested software, hardware, services and support for network connectivity in a data centre infrastructure implementation, based on the Windows 2000 Server platform.
"A prescriptive architecture guide (PAG) based on the MSA EDC is being made available to enterprise customers," he says. "By using the PAG as a guideline, enterprises can implement core data centre services while minimising the time, cost and risks associated with enterprise deployments."
"Enterprise customers will find the prescriptive architecture guides for the MSA enterprise data centre very valuable," comments Steve East, VP Storage Integration, Hitachi Data Systems. "In keeping with the objectives of our TrueNorth strategy-to simplify, protect and optimise customers' information infrastructures - we will continue to participate in programmes that further the interoperability of solutions and provide customers with risk and cost-reducing solutions for building the critical storage infrastructures their companies depend on."
The enterprise data centre core services were built, tested and documented collaboratively. Microsoft teamed with industry participants, including Hitachi Data Systems, to ensure that the pre-tested configuration would help customers create a distributed enterprise data centre environment that is secure, highly available, scalable and manageable.
Other participating companies included CommVault Systems, HP, McData, NetIQ, Nortel and Unisys.
"HDS has made a significant contribution to the MSA EDC through its contribution of both storage expertise and products, including its enterprise-class Lightning 9900 Series storage infrastructure solution," says Jim Hebert, GM Windows Server Product Management Group, Microsoft.
The resulting enterprise data centre prescriptive architecture guide storage solution (PAG) provides a recommended, standardised, and tested blueprint for building a secure, scalable, highly available and manageable infrastructure. It is based on Hitachi Freedom Storage Lightning 9900 Series systems, software such as Hitachi Dynamic Link Manager, ShadowImage, Remote Console, Command Control Interface (CCI), and services including SplitSecond Solutions for SQL.
The PAG provides step-by-step guidance for building and configuring the data services components of the MSA EDC, including installation of SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition, fail over clustering, configuration of SQL Server 2000 Network Load Balancing, and installation of SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition on a Unisys ES-7000 server, using a Hitachi Freedom Storage Lightning 9900 Series system.
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With offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, Shoden Data Systems (Pty) Ltd is the sole distributor for Hitachi Data Systems in SA. In addition, Shoden Data Systems is the sole distributor of INRANGE Technologies Corporation, the world's leading manufacturer of Channel Extenders, Fibre Channel and ESCON/FICON directors. Shoden Data Systems is also a Veritas Premier Partner and provides integrated, managed, best-of-breed storage area network solutions to the marketplace.
Based on more than 200 collective years of experience in the service, support and marketing of Hitachi products, Shoden Data Systems uses its intellectual capital and industry leading products to provide customers with total solutions in the storage, enterprise servers and connectivity arenas. The following offerings are available:
1. Storage - the HDS Freedom storage range, including Lightning 9900 and 9200.
2. Connectivity - the Inrange FC/9000 Fibre Channel/ FICON Director, ESCON Directors and Channel Extenders.
Hitachi Data Systems
Hitachi Data Systems is committed to enabling organisations worldwide to exploit the full potential of information. By following and deploying our TrueNorthT strategy, we provide customers with a broad range of storage solutions to simplify, protect and optimise their information infrastructures. Our offerings include enterprise and modular storage systems and software, professional services, fully complemented by best-of-breed products through industry alliances.
With 2 700 employees, Hitachi Data Systems conducts business through direct sales and resellers in the public, government and private sectors in over 170 countries on six continents. Its customers include more than 50% of Fortune 100 companies. For more information, please visit http://www.eu.hds.com.
Hitachi, Ltd
Hitachi, Ltd, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company, with approximately 320 000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2001 (ended 31 March 2002) consolidated sales totalled 7,994 billion yen ($60.1 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors, including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit http://global.hitachi.com.
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