High availability without the clustering?

Fujitsu Siemens Computers unveils an alternative to clustering or virtualisation

Fujitsu Siemens Computers (FSC) has come up with a low-cost alternative to clustering or virtualisation for companies looking to deliver high-availability servers for mission-critical enterprise applications.

The company yesterday announced x10sure, new management software designed for companies with up to 50 FSC Primergy BX600 blade or rack servers running the cheaper standard, rather than Enterprise, version of Windows Server 2003.

“If an email system fails, it should be got back online as soon as possible,” explained FSC director of storage marketing Marcus Schneider.

“The old fashioned way is to cluster systems, usually with Microsoft Cluster Server, but unfortunately there are a number of inhibitors. Firstly, you have to have a spare server for every single system to be protected, so you have to be pretty selective about which servers you choose to select, because it is expensive and the software is not free either.”

x10sure continually monitors the performance and availability of multiple servers. When a failed server is detected, it automatically configures and deploys a spare to bring applications back online within minutes, and the failed machine is rebooted, said FSC.

x10sure is available in the UK in April this year, prices for a five server x10sure licence start at €9,250.