Compaq HA/F500 Cluster Provides Higher Levels of Availability for Business-Critical Applications; Expands Compaq's Windows NT Clustering Leadership
Business Wire - January 25, 1999 09:00
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 25, 1999--Addressing customer requirements for tailored, standards-based choices in high availability solutions, Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:CPQ) today announced worldwide the Compaq ProLiant Cluster HA/F500. This two-node Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS) cluster provides enterprise customers with the high levels of availability needed for demanding business-critical applications, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Online Transaction Processing (OLTP), database applications, e-mail and web servers.
With more than 5,500 enterprise customers trusting their businesses to Compaq Windows NT clusters, Compaq is the proven leader in protecting industry-standard high-availability environments. The Compaq ProLiant Cluster HA/F500 eliminates single points of failure and automatically detects and recovers from failures in hardware, operating systems and applications to enable customers to keep their businesses up and running so they can increase their profitability.
"With the announcement of the HA/F500, Compaq is delivering the broadest range of high availability solutions necessary to keep our customers' critical information and applications available," said Mary McDowell, Vice President and General Manager, Industry-Standard Server Division, Compaq Computer Corporation. "This solution is an example of how Compaq is meeting demanding customer requirements through a combination of our industry-leading servers, storage and services businesses along with our superior high availability ISV partnerships."
New High Availability Storage Subsystems
The HA/F500 cluster takes advantage of the strength of its server, storage and network components to provide high levels of availability. The HA/F500 provides the highest levels of data availability when configured in a dual loop connection between the server and the storage sub-system. The new storage devices used are the StorageWorks RAID Array 8000 and Enterprise Storage Array 12000 high-end Optical Fibre Channel External storage subsystem, high capacity storage subsystems with redundant RAID controllers (see today's announcement entitled "Compaq Delivers on the Promise of its Enterprise Network Storage Architecture"). Integrated with Compaq Insight Manager and SmartStart, the StorageWorks Command Console provides a graphical user interface to set up, configure, monitor and troubleshoot storage subsystems.
The two-node cluster configuration will support two pairs of controllers and 144 disks for a maximum storage capacity configuration of 2.6 TB per cluster. The dual ported RAID controllers in the storage subsystems can also be configured to support two independent clusters on a single dual-controller storage subsytem.
Industry Standard Components Protect Investments
Utilizing industry-standard components, such as ProLiant servers, MSCS and Fibre Channel storage interconnect, the redundant storage interconnects also permit static load balancing for performance optimization and automated failover in the event of a host-based adapter (HBA) or Fibre Channel link failure. The HA/F500 also provides secure data management and cluster administration to prevent data corruption and make it easy to manage. The Compaq ProLiant Cluster HA/F500 can be configured with up to two Compaq ProLiant servers that customers may already have on site, lowering the cost of implementation compared to MSCS cluster offerings from other vendors.
"Customers can configure HA/F500 Clusters with a variety of ProLiant servers and storage options to meet their specific requirements for performance, capacity, availability and budget," said Paul Gottsegen, Director of Industry Standard Server Marketing, Compaq North America. "The servers and storage products that comprise these clusters feature industry-leading functionality such as redundant controllers, drives, power supplies and fans. This redundancy eliminates single points of failure across the cluster to reduce the risk of downtime that could be caused by failure of an individual component."
Pricing/Availability
All pricing is based on U.S. estimated street prices. Reseller prices may vary. Entry pricing for a complete HA/F500 cluster starts at less than $50,000. Users forming an HA/F500 cluster with installed equipment, however, can simply utilize a Compaq ProLiant Cluster Kit to create their cluster. Prices for the Compaq ProLiant Cluster HA/F500 Kit is $110 for the Basic kit, which supports a single loop configuration, and $4,400 for the Enhanced kit, which includes software to support a dual loop configuration. The Compaq ProLiant Cluster HA/F500 Kits are available for ordering immediately.
Company Background
Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation is a Fortune Global 100 company. Compaq is the second largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of personal computers. Compaq develops and markets hardware, software, solutions, and services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, networking and communication products, commercial desktop and portable products and consumer PCs. The company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly programs and business practices.
Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and information about Compaq and its products are available at compaq.com.
Compaq, Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
CONTACT: Compaq Computer Corporation
Ted Bockius, 281-927-8311
ted.bockius@compaq.com
or
Shandwick International
Christine Campbell, 617-536-0470
ccampbell@miller.shandwick.com
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