easily managed, cost-effective storage for demanding high availability environments
• EXPERIENCE in mission-critical computing
• EASY-TO-USE self-managing technologies
• BROAD CHOICE of high availability disk arrays and disk systems
Figure 5.4.1. HP SureStore E Disk Arrays FC60
6.2.1.2 I/O Intensive Applications
The high-speed disks in the FC60 rotate at 10,000 rpm, enhancing I/O performance, especially in computing applications that involve large numbers of small data transfers.
This makes the HP SureStore E Disk Array FC60 ideal for use in I/O intensive data access.
6.2.1.3 Safeguards Data without Power
As with any high-availability installation, an uninterruptible power supply is recommended with the FC60. Internal batteries in the disk array itself can maintain information in the controller cache for up to 120 hours. Even with complete loss of power over a long weekend, data can be preserved proving HP’s commitment to data integrity and high availability.
6.2.2 HP SureStore E Disk Array XP256
The Hewlett-Packard (HP) SureStore E Disk Array XP256 is a highly available, cost-effective, multiplatform, high-end disk array, with ample power to handle MediaMasters mission-critical data and applications. The XP256 disk array offers scalable, modular solutions that provide hassle-free storage from 60 gigabytes (GB) to 11 terabytes (TB).
Enabling MediaMasters to respond to the ever-changing business environments of today, the XP256 provides fast, easy, and secure data access across heterogeneous platforms.
The XP256 also offers exceptional system availability, with countless features and functions that provide disk array reliability and continuous data availability for applications. With Hewlett-Packard’s written, customer satisfaction guarantee, MediaMasters can focus on business issues and not the IT infrastructure.
HP SureStore E Disk Array FC60
• lowest cost/MB (hardware RAID configuration>500GB)
• excellent hardware monitoring
• modular/Flexible design
• best sequential performance
• affordable Fibre Channelconnect to host
Features
Figure 6.2b HP SureStore E Disk Array XP256
6.2.2.1 Features
HP SureStore E Disk Array XP256 features include flexible configurations, high capacity, scalability, and performance:
• up to 9 TB capacity
• 32 fibre channel ports
• supports FW-SCSI, UltraSCSI, and ESCON
• 16 GB non-volatile “duplexed” write cache
• broad multiplatform server support
• industry-leading multiplatform support through SAN
• no single point-of-failure
• HP “phone home” support
• data transfer for UNIX®, Microsoft® Windows NT®, and MVS
• software for ease of management
HP SureStore E Disk Array XP256 also features full software and solution integration:
• zero downtime backup for Oracle and SAP with HP OpenView’s OmniBack II
• local copying for online backup, data warehousing, Y2K testing with Business Copy XP
• remote copying for disaster recovery with Continuous Access XP
• security for server and storage consolidation with Secure Manager XP
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The HP SureStore E Disk Array XP256 is reliable and resilient enough to provide maximum performance while still being flexible enough to respond to changing business needs. Proactive remote diagnostics and tracking capabilities, built directly into the XP256 via the automated “phone-home” feature, is a key tool used to seek out and eliminate problems before they can affect MediaMasters environment.
Remote firmware and software upgrade capabilities allow the XP256 to be dynamically upgraded without the need for costly downtime. Dynamic disk sparing allows operations to continue in the case of a drive failure. Additionally, upgrading and replacing disk drives, software troubleshooting and repair, and changing of power supplies and other hardware parts can all be done nondisruptively without having to take the system down.
Figure XX-2. XP256 Storage Architecture
6.2.2.2 Fault-tolerant Architecture with No Single Point-of-failure
The HP SureStore E Disk Array XP256 is designed to provide continuous access to all user data. The XP256 provides full fault-tolerance capability for all critical components including full mirrored write cache. XP256 cache is divided into two equal segments on separate power boundaries. The XP256 places all write data in both cache segments with one internal write operation so that data is always duplicated (mirrored) across the power boundaries. If one copy of write data is defective or lost, the other copy is immediately destaged to disk. The disk drives are protected against error and failure by enhanced random array of independent disks (RAID) technologies as well as dynamic scrubbing and sparing. Furthermore, the XP256 utilizes component and function redundancy to provide full fault tolerance for all other subsystem components including
microprocessors, control and data buses, power supplies, and cooling fans.
6.2.2.3 Nondisruptive Service and Repair
The HP SureStore E Disk Array XP256 utilizes special diagnostic techniques to detect and correct disk errors. Dynamic sparing is invoked automatically if needed. The XP256 can be configured with up to eight spare disk drives, and any spare disk can back up
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Each storage cluster is powered by a separate set of power supplies. Each set can provide power for the entire disk array in the unlikely event of power failure, providing continued operation in case of multiple power supply loss. Additionally, all hardware subassemblies can be removed, serviced, repaired, and/or replaced nondisruptively during normal subsystem operation. All microcode upgrades can be performed during normal subsystem operations using the service processor (SVP).
6.2.2.4 Flexible RAID Options
The HP SureStore E Disk Array XP256 offers RAID-1 and RAID-5, as well as the ability to intermix RAID-1 and RAID-5 array groups, providing a wide variety of configuration options. The RAID architecture supports the mixed OLTP and batch workloads
commonly found in commercial environments. Online response times are excellent and sequential performance is exceptional.
The XP256 uses intelligent caching algorithms. The amount of fast-write data in cache is dynamically managed by the cache control algorithms to provide the optimum amount of read and write cache, depending upon I/O characteristics. Other cache algorithms monitor data access patterns and dynamically alter the staging criteria to provide the highest possible hit ratios for randomly accessed data.
6.2.2.5 Flexible Channel Options
The HP SureStore E Disk Array XP256 supports multiple channel packages: Fibre Channel, SCSI-2/Ultra-SCSI, and ESCON protocols. Because the XP256 meets a wide range of connectivity requirements within a single hardware platform, it provides choice and flexibility in deciding which configurations work best for MediaMasters IT
infrastructure.
6.2.2.6 Full Disaster Recovery Capabilities
HP SureStore E Continuous Access XP and Business Copy XP data management software enable the user to set up and maintain local (primary site) and remote (target site) duplicate copies of S/390 and open- systems data stored on the XP256 over local and extended distances. In case of a system failure or site disaster, the secondary copy at the remote site can be invoked rapidly, allowing applications to be recovered with guaranteed data integrity.
6.2.2.7 Windows NT Consolidation
Windows NT systems and storage have proliferated throughout most computing environments. Managing these systems and all their associated storage has become an administrator’s nightmare. With connectivity of up to 128 Windows NT hosts, the HP SureStore E Disk Array XP256 is the alternative for customers wishing to consolidate their highly distributed Windows NT systems. The XP256 provides effective IT resource-utilization and reduces operating costs by allowing central management and monitoring of storage for highly distributed Windows NT systems. Furthermore, the XP256 provides the excellent performance, reliability, and effortless scalability as MediaMasters storage needs grow.
Figure 6.2c Single Product Scalability 6.2.2.8 HP’s High-availability Solutions
The HP SureStore E Disk Array XP256 high-end storage system is designed to bring HP’s 5nines:5minutes vision one step closer to reality. The XP256 is designed to keep critical, revenue-generating applications up and running, even under the most difficult disaster situations. From its mirrored write cache and full redundancy of key operating components, such as disk drives and power supplies, to its nondisruptive microcode updates, the XP256 is designed to always be up and running. Combined with its
comprehensive suite of HP SureSoft software and HP SureGuide consulting and services, the XP256 safeguards valuable corporate information assets against power and equipment failures, as well as the threat of natural disaster.
The XP256 also has full software and solution integration with MC/ServiceGuard, MetroCluster and ContinentalClusters, and 99.95% uptime guarantee with HP’s Mission Critical Server Suites. These complete high-availability and disaster-tolerant solutions prevent the devastating business interruptions that can seriously affect MediaMasters ability to compete and service its customers.
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