* Compellent Server Instant Replay
Compellent this week introduced software that makes it easier for storage administrators to set up their servers to boot from storage-area networks.
Called Server Instant Replay, the software consists of a wizard that makes configuration of boot from SAN an automatic process. Boot from SAN configuration is normally a manual process, complicated by bunches of steps.
According to Compellent, by using the Server Instant Replay wizard, it will take only 15 minutes to configure, re-deploy and recover a server.
Server Instant Replay is part of Compellent’s Storage Center software suite. It supports Windows, Linux, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX, Tru64, NetWare and Apple Servers. Server Instant Replay requires a customer purchase Compellent’s Data Instant Replay product, which costs less than $10,000.
No agents are required on the server for boot from SAN to work and Compellent estimates that for every 25 servers deployed, a customer will save $70,000 per server in first year costs.
Boot from SAN works by first creating an image of each server connected to the SAN. This ‘replay’ will be the basis for the boot from SAN copy. Using the image, which is stored on the SAN, customers can restore the complete server operating system, configuration, applications and data.
Microsoft also offers a boot from SAN implementation for Windows server users, as does QLogic for its host bus adapters, and Dell for its PowerEdge and PowerVault storage gear. DataCore has even jumped on the boot from SAN bandwagon.
While most vendors rely on manual boot from SAN implementations, Compellent is one of the first to automate the process.
