Fujitsu Siemens Computers and service partner Siemens Business Services have been recognised by the Microsoft Systems Architecture (MSA) Qualification Program as providers of enterprise data centre solutions. The qualification was the achieved through a joint project with Cisco Systems, Stonesoft and F5 Networks.
The enormous pressure on companies to reduce their IT costs creates a challenge for providers to constantly develop and offer new and improved strategies. Microsoft Systems Architecture for Enterprise Data Centre (MSA EDC) is one solution designed to meet this challenge, using best practices to reduce deployment costs.
The flexible, modular MSA concept makes it possible to implement IT infrastructures that fulfil the highest requirements regarding scalability, availability and security. The appropriate infrastructure is complemented by standardised documentation covering all phases of the project, including an operating concept.
Together, Fujitsu Siemens Computers and Siemens Business Services offer comprehensive support for corporate customers during the implementation of centralised data centre infrastructure and services. The companies designed, developed and tested MSA EDC last year in close cooperation with Microsoft. The SBS Services and Support Guide for MSA offers users proactive support for roll-out and customising during implementation of MSA EDC infrastructure, providing highly specialised information including integrated software, implementation services and business consulting.
The qualification project, a collaborative effort between the partners, took the form of a comprehensive sample solution configuration based on industry standards. This configuration, which featured servers and systems from Fujitsu Siemens Computers, can be used as an infrastructure solution for distributed data centres. Adapting the certified solution configuration appropriately not only means considerable time and money savings, but also substantially reduced implementation risks.
In targeting the field of business-critical computing, Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Europe`s leading computer vendor, is currently focusing on IT infrastructure consolidation. The primary concern is to create direct cost benefits by applying overall concepts that are easy to handle, immediately available and secure, while at the same time providing a firm foundation for future growth. MSA EDC, with it cross-vendor standardisation, represents a qualitative breakthrough in terms of protection of investment, cost transparency and minimisation of risk during the planning and implementation process.
How does the customer benefit from MSA qualification?
MSA EDC addresses the need for a comprehensive data centre solution that takes network components as well as storage systems and servers into account. A configuration tested this way reaps the benefits of more than 1 000 developer years by the partners involved. This result is a secure, high-availability and scalable solution that is still simple to administer.
Individuality despite standardisation
MSA EDC architecture has a modular concept with exchangeable elements, and thus offers considerable scope for modifications to suit individual requirements. Complete or partial architecture configurations can be used, allowing maximum flexibility for adapting to the requirements of today and tomorrow.
Cost-cutting
The documented architecture guidelines and tested reference installation serve as a model for best practices. They assist users in significantly reducing data centre planning times and implementation costs.
Less risk
The use of thoroughly tested configuration solutions ensures better investment protection and minimises implementation risks. The forms of architecture certified by MSA EDC guarantee the highest possible degree of homogeneity in standard modules.
Speed is king
The tailored implementation services provided by MSA EDC architecture allows rapid implementation. Ensuring faster roll-out into a productive environment has clear competitive benefits.
The certified sample solution configuration
The solution configuration from Fujitsu Siemens Computers comprised 18 PRIMECENTER rack systems, 116 PRIMERGY servers, 36 UPS systems and 18 SAN storage subsystems (FibreCAT). The sample configuration solution is based on the V1.5 MSA EDC specification and is dimensioned for the centralised organisation of up to 4 000 desktop users and 10 000 Web users. Naturally, the modular concept means the architecture can be adapted for smaller installations at any time. The sample configuration was implemented with the following objectives in mind:
Scalability
All components of the architecture can be scaled taking business requirements into account and reflect growing user expectations. All infrastructure services are designed to support the requirements of organisations with up to 50 000 users.
Availability
All components are designed to be redundant or fulfil a specialised function.
Security
The architecture provides an end-to-end security model which protects both the data and the infrastructure from malicious attacks and theft.
System management
Simple configuration, permanent monitoring and error detection ensure maximum levels of availability, scalability and security.
Flexibility
The architecture can be rapidly adapted to changing business requirements and modified to reflect the differing needs of a huge diversity of organisations.
Comments from the partners involved
"For us, MSA EDC is a logical consequence of our focus on business critical computing, taking us toward standardised data centre solutions on the basis of a modular, flexible and certified solution," said Peter Jilek, Executive Vice President Enterprise Products at Fujitsu Siemens Computers.
"We are very pleased to have qualified Fujitsu Siemens Computers, one of the leading IT providers in the world, for our MSA data centre program," explained Gianpietro Cussigh, head of the Enterprise and Partner Group at Microsoft Germany. "Fujitsu Siemens Computers has once again proved its ability to design Windows-based data centres in a way that is both customer-oriented and cost-aware."
"MSA supports our customers when planning, implementing and operating this extremely flexible infrastructure solution, which has been developed with a clear focus on cost-efficiency," added Andreas Hartl, strategy consultant at Microsoft Germany.
"With its support for this enterprise data centre solution, Siemens Business Services brings together its expertise in the fields of outsourcing, system integration, infrastructure services, server technology and consulting," said Neil Allpress, Senior Vice-President of Siemens Business Services. "This solution helps our customers find answers to pressing issues such as consolidation, migration and business continuity."
"With its interplay of technologies from leading vendors, MSA stands for the establishment of stable and powerful data centre infrastructures. Fujitsu Siemens Computers customers benefit from our expertise in routing, switching and VPN solutions," said Ralf Kothe, Marketing Manager Enterprise at Cisco Systems GmbH. "MSA EDC-qualified companies such as Fujitsu Siemens Computers thus have the opportunity to create data centres with cutting-edge technology and based on uniform standards."
"Our partnership with Fujitsu Siemens Computers often involves setting up complex, high-availability server environments employing Microsoft applications," stressed Michael Frohn, General Manager for Central Europe at F5 Networks. "With their Application Traffic Management solutions, F5 Networks not only ensures high-availability, but provides the very foundation for the flexibility and security of dynamic server farms, whether it`s a blade server or standalone server environment."
For more information, see http://www.fujitsu-siemens.com/rl/products/primergy/primergymsa.html.
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Fujitsu Siemens Computers is the leading European computer company. Serving the needs of large corporations, small to medium-sized enterprises and consumers the company operates in all key markets across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It offers a unique choice of world-class computer technology and innovative IT infrastructure solutions. Embedded in a global cooperation, Fujitsu Siemens Computers takes advantage of the strengths and the innovative power of its parent companies Fujitsu Limited and Siemens AG.
"Powering the Information Age" is the company`s vision. Fujitsu Siemens Computers will enable people to freely access information and services anywhere and at any time with world-leading products, services and solutions, thus ensuring people`s success within a knowledge-based society. The strategic direction is focused on mobility and business-critical computing as the key drivers of the Information Age in the 21st century.
The company offers everything for enterprise computing, ranging from best-in-class Intel- and Unix-based servers to mainframes and enterprise storage solutions. It is also one of the leading providers of mobile computing products, PCs and workstations to business customers, and is the number one supplier of computers for home users in Europe. For further information, please visit www.fujitsu-siemens.com.
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