Reliability - PDF document

Reliability and Scalability. Having converted from a partnership to a company in 2008, TML initiated a major IT infrastructure upgrade project in order to realise its business continuity plans and continue providing outstanding client service. Throughout that project, the company relied on Data # 3 to reduce software licence costs and assist in a dramatic improvement in data centre reliability and scalability. Business needs With the company going through a period of sustained growth and the need for a data centre environment that was scalable and, above all, incredibly resilient, TML IT Manager Daniel Buchanan looked to new Microsoft server technologies as the basis for that new infrastructure. “One of our main goals was to break away from the restrictive and costly physical server model in favour of virtualisation,” he explains. “At that point, though, there were numerous challenges we were facing,” Daniel continues. “The rst challenge was to reduce the costs associated with server operating system licences, while still having the freedom to provision as many servers as required. “Secondly, on the issue of in our business but the Microsoft Hyper-V R2 product was still at a release candidate [RC] stage. What we needed was a company to work with us in developing a network design and implementation strategy that would deliver on our client service needs and, wherever possible, employ the latest Microsoft server technologies. Ultimately, Data # 3 was selected as TML’s partner of choice and, according to Daniel, it was a choice that was instrumental in the IT project achieving its goals. Eliminating the risk factor According to Daniel, while the project only after a thorough and precise strategy developed in tandem with Data # 3 specialists. “When it came to determining the most appropriate virtualisation solution, we were enthusiastic about Hyper-V but denitely weren’t prepared to risk the business on a release candidate product without CASE STUDY TRILBY MISSO LAWYERS rst ensuring that it would be 100 per cent reliable and effective.” Founded in 1956 and regarded as one of Queensland’s leading legal practices, Trilby Misso Lawyers (TML) specialises in Personal Injury. Having rst worked with a TML team on a thorough business analysis in which it was identied that Hyper-V R2 had the potential to meet TML’s requirements, Data # 3 implemented a proof-of-concept. Over the course of several weeks, Hyper-V R2 was run through its paces with one specic goal in mind – push it to breaking point. “We had to be absolutely positive that it would work without fault, even in a release candidate form,” Daniel says. “This is one of the major advantages we found in working with Data # 3. The company has a close relationship with Microsoft that is nothing short of critical when you’re working on an IT project that’s at the bleeding edge. Massive savings and a better environment Following the rigorous proof-of- concept and nal acceptance by TML, the new server environment was put into place by the Data # 3 and TML team members. Consisting of Data # 3 supplied IBM rack-mounted servers running Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and, of course, Hyper-V R2. “With Hyper-V being a component of Windows Server 2008, we saved around $70,000 up front by avoiding the need to go with another virtualisation software solution,” Daniel says. “But on the issue of software licence cost savings, that $70,000 is only the beginning. “Using the Datacenter edition of Windows Server with Hyper-V, and licensing the physical processors, we’re able to run as many virtual servers on a single physical server as is possible without having to pay additional server software licence fees. So when we do need to set up new servers, there’s no need to purchase additional licences or, importantly, run the risk of being unintentionally in breach of licence agreements.” Most importantly, though, the new environment has ensured that TML’s data centre infrastructure is able to meet the demands of business. New servers, which previously took anything up to a full day to bring on line are now going live within fteen minutes. In case of server failure, where the previous server setup and conguration would result in users losing their sessions without warning, the new Hyper-V R2 solution allows for quick recovery of services with minimal or no data loss. Improved and simplied management Managing the data centre has also taken a turn for the better, with the TML IT team now able to be more proactive in server management. Daniel explains: “As part of the project, Data # 3 supplied the full range of Microsoft System Center system management tools. “Whenever the testing revealed an issue, either the Data # 3 specialists were able to address it or escalate that issue directly to Microsoft for a resolution. Quite frankly, without Data # 3’s skills and Microsoft relationship I wouldn’t have been prepared to even consider the Hyper-V R2 path at that time.” These ensure we’re able to monitor virtually every single aspect of the physical and virtual environments, and identify any performance issues well before they can impact on business.” Core to TML’s server management tools is Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) 2008, which provides TML IT personnel with centralised and complete administration of the data centre’s physical and virtual servers. According to Daniel, the implementation of VMM delivers on the key requirements of optimum performance and up-time, rapid rollout of new virtual servers, and maximum utilisation of physical and virtual server resources. “We have a highly versatile server environment with Windows Server 2008 and Hyper-V R2,” Daniel says. “One that has every feature and function that’s critical to supporting the business and its plans for growth. VMM and the other Microsoft System Center tools, though, are what gives us the ability to fully exploit every component of that environment.” The Data # 3 advantage When asked about the value afforded TML and the project by Data # 3, Daniel states: “The entire project was one that was critical to a growing business. Data # 3 is the one company that has the skills, people, vendor partnerships and proven track record that demonstrate its ability to undertake such a project and see it through to a successful completion.” Contact Details: www.data3.com.au 1300 23 28 23 Follow Us: twitter.com/Data3Limited facebook.com/Data3Limited © Copyright Data # 3 Limited 2012 “Data # 3 is the one company that has the skills, people, vendor partnerships and proven track record that demonstrate its ability to undertake such a project and see it through to a successful completion.” Daniel Buchanan, IT Manager, Trilby Misso Lawyers