Stratus Technologies has extended mission-critical uptime on open systems technology to a new high-performance server and data storage product, with the release of its ftServer 6310 and ftScalable G2 fault-tolerant storage array.
The Stratus ftServer 6310 is the first fault-tolerant hex-core server for enterprise-class applications and Tier 1 workloads. This powerful Intel “Westmere” processor-based server surpasses the performance of the predecessor quad-core model by up to 33%, with no increase in price.
It delivers full-function fault-tolerant computing right out of the box. Benefiting immediately from the continuous processing power of all 12 logical cores, mission-critical environments such as cloud computing, high-volume transaction processing, SQL and Oracle database, and SAP applications are protected against fail over, downtime and data loss.
Complementing the new server and all other current ftServer models is Stratus' new ftScalable G2 fault-tolerant storage array. The second-generation ftScalable array for the entry- to mid-level storage market features 2.5-inch disk drives for increased space efficiency and scalability. Capacity scales up to 72 drives with 36TB of storage. This 2U RAID array offers the same service-enabled availability features as ftServer systems, such as automatic fault detection, isolation and management, as well as call-home servicing for proactive remediation.
“Virtualisation and cloud computing have accentuated the need for uptime and focused attention on increasing resiliency for Tier 1 workloads,” said Pieter van der Merwe, availability solutions architect at Stratus Technologies. “This is what we do. For uptime, all the time, no company answers that need better than Stratus.”
Downtime prevention
Like all ftServer systems, the ftServer 6310's fault tolerant architecture prevents failure from occurring, as compared to cluster technology, which is designed for fast failure recovery.
The server is completely redundant and housed in a single rack-optimised 4U enclosure. Using lock-step processor technology, combined with failsafe software and advanced service technology, the ftServer systems family is battle-tested to deliver the industry's best uptime and protection against data loss. On average, ftServer systems experience only seconds of unplanned downtime annually.
The ftServer 6310 is available today with support for Windows, including 32- and 64-bit Windows Server 2008. Only Stratus ftServer systems meet the requirements established by Microsoft to earn the additional server qualification of fault tolerant in the Windows Server Catalog.
Green storage
In addition to the many availability and serviceability features that set Stratus products apart, RoHS 6 and WEE compliant ftScalable G2's new 2.5-inch drives reduce power consumption by 70% and improve input/output operations per second (IOPS) per watt by 250% over comparable 3.5-inch 15K-RPM drives.
The drive “spin-down” feature for inactive spindles also contributes to lower energy costs. Further, the array's patented EnviroStor technology is a battery-free alternative for cache memory, leveraging a combination of super capacitors and flash memory, which outlasts traditional batteries.
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