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IPDATA WUDSS Storage Features

 
Storage Features Overview
nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS (Microsoft Windows Unified Data Storage Server 2003, and enahnced version of Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 w/iSCSI Target Support and Unified Management Support) series appliance solution is built using the latest NAS and iSCSI technologies from Microsoft, it is a flexible, and scalable Network Attached Storage solution for direct attached storage systems or Fibre Channel and iSCSI SANs. It provides seamless interoperability with file sharing resources for Windows, UNIX, Linux, Macintosh and Web clients that allows storage manages to reduce their total lifecycle cost of storage through easier management, faster performance, greater reliability and stronger security. Built on industry standard hardware and software, nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS is the most advanced open system platform that supports standard storage systems and SANs.
Network Storage Performance, Reliability, Availability and Security
Storage Performance
nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS is built on a powerful server-class Single or Dual-Core Xeon platform, PCIe system interconnects and up to 16 GB of memory. Featuring the latest in Fibre Channel and iSCSI storage connectivity, nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS provides high performance file sharing resources for Direct Attached Storage systems and/or SANs. In addition to the dual Gigabit Ethernet connections with Intel I/O acceleration technology and jumbo frame support, optional TCP/IP Offload Engines enhance performance and accelerate Ethernet throughput to near wire speed. nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS runs a NAS optimized version of Windows Server 2003 R2 and upto20% faster than a general purpose Windows Server 2003 R2 in file serving.

Storage Reliability and High Availability
nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS is integrated with best-of-breed components and is based on Windows Server™ 2003 R2, a robust operating system that provides high reliability and data protection. Redundant hot swap power supplies and mirrored operating system drives ensure high availability in the event of component failure. A mature journaling file system enables easy, dependable file system recovery in the event of unscheduled downtime. WUDSS is a dedicated file and print server and has all functionality unrelated to file serving removed, increasing reliability and lowering CPU overhead. The Distributed File System (DFS) solution provides simplified, fault-tolerant access to files and WAN-friendly replication. The nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS Enterprise Edition, with cluster support, provides high availability and disaster tolerance for mission-critical file sharing environments.

Storage System Security
nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS features the tight enterprise-level security of Windows Server 2003 R2. Full Active Directory Services™ support enables nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS to integrate seamlessly into a Windows enterprise network. Other authentication features include NT Domain Authentication (PDC) and Unix Network Information Services (NIS). nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS also integrates completely into Distributed File System (DFS) environments.
Network Storage Key Features: NAS, Snapshots, Replication, Indexing and Single Instance Storage
Multi-Protocol Connectivity
Because nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS is powered by Windows Server 2003, it is designed to exist in heterogeneous network environments and transfer data using industry standard file sharing protocols (SMB/CIFS, NFS, AFP, FTP and HTTP) over industry standard network protocols. Therefore, clients can share storage resources, regardless of their operating environment. Cross platform connectivity provides common storage resources and increased user productivity.

Snapshots for Enhanced Data Protection: PiT Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS)
System administrators can use point-in-time shadow copy technologies to make up to 512 snapshots per volume (of which 64 are reserved for Shadow Copies for Shared Folders) using applications that have a VSS requestor. These shadow copy backups are available for rapid restores should the need arise. Unlike tape backups which can take hours to restore, these shadow copy backups can be restored in minutes. The end user can also benefit from point in time imaging technologies, using the Shadow Copies for Shared Folders (SCSF) feature. SCSF enables users to restore accidentally deleted or overwritten files or entire folders without the need for IT intervention. A maximum of 64 SCSF per volume can be created.

Distributed File System (DFS-N and DFS-R) for Load Balancing and Robust File Replication
The Distributed File System (DFS) solution in Windows Unified Data Storage Server 2003 (enahnced version of Windows Storage Server 2003 R2) provides simplified, fault-tolerant access to files and WAN-friendly replication. Distributed File System consists of two technologies:
  • DFS Namespaces. Formerly known as Distributed File System, DFS Namespaces allows administrators to group shared folders located on different servers and present them to users as a virtual tree of folders known as a namespace. A namespace provides numerous benefits, including increased availability of data, load sharing, and simplified data migration.
  • DFS Replication. The successor to File Replication service (FRS), DFS Replication is a new state-based, multimaster replication engine that supports scheduling and bandwidth throttling. DFS Replication uses a new compression algorithm known as Remote Differential Compression (RDC). RDC is a protocol that can be used to efficiently update files over a limited-bandwidth network. RDC detects insertions, removals, re-arrangements of data in files, enabling DFS Replication to replicate only the deltas (changes) when files are updated. For more information on DFS Replication visit: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technologies/storage/dfs/default.mspx
  • Advanced Compression Technologies: RDC is a WAN-friendly compression technology that replicates only the changes needed to ensure global file consistency. RDC thus provides significant WAN efficiencies, including enhanced performance with replicated file size, and area of primary importance for branch office servers.
Indexing Service
Indexing Service extracts the information from a set of documents and organizes it in a way that makes it quick and easy to access that information through the Search function for computers running Microsoft Windows 2000 or Microsoft Windows XP. This information can include text from within a document (its contents), and the characteristics and parameters of the document (its properties), such as the author's name. Once the index is created you can query the index for documents that contain key words, phrases, or properties.

Single Instance Storage
Single Instance Storage (SIS) recovers disk space by reducing the amount of redundant data stored on a volume by identifying identical files, storing only a single copy of the file in the SIS common store and replacing the files with pointers to the file in the SIS common store.
Network Storage Management
File Server Resource Manager
File Server Resource Manager provides a suite of tools for administrators to understand, control, and manage the quantity and type of data stored on their servers. File Server Resource Manager enables you to place quotas on folders and volumes, actively screen files, and generate comprehensive storage reports.

Storage System Management
The WUDSS MMC-based management console enables administrators to perform the majority of storage management tasks from a central location. The Unified Share and Storage Management snap-in provides wizard-based provisioning of volumes, shared folders, and iSCSI targets, as well as the ability to configure quotas, file screening, Single Instance Storage, and indexing. nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS can be managed remotely via a web browser from Windows and non-Windows clients. A keyboard, mouse, and monitor (or KVM) is supported for local management. E

Storage Management for SANs
Storage Manager for SANs helps you create and manage logical unit numbers (LUNs) on fibre channel and iSCSI disk drive subsystems in your storage area network (SAN). Storage Manager for SANs can be used on storage subsystems that support Virtual Disk Service (VDS). Use Storage Manager for SANs to create and assign LUNs, manage connections between LUNs and the servers in your SAN, and set the security properties for iSCSI storage subsystems.

Unified Share and Storage Management
With the Share and Storage Management snap-in, you can easily set up and manage shared folders and storage. Share and Storage Management provides the following:
  • MMC-based management of shared folders and storage.
  • Provision Storage Wizard for creating and configuring storage, including creating a LUN and formatting a volume.
  • Provision a Shared Folder Wizard for creating and configuring shared folders that can be accessed using either the server message block (SMB) or NFS protocol.
  • This makes it possible to complete most of the administrative tasks required to create and manage shared folders and volumes, configure Single Instance Storage (SIS), configure quotas, configure file screening, and enable indexing from a single management point.
Scalable Storage Area Networks
Storage Configuration and Scalability
nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS is available in 1U , 2U and 3U models with SCSI, Fibre Channel, or iSCSI storage connectivity ports, providing the flexibility you need to fit your current and future storage requirements. Redundant hot swap power supplies and mirrored operating system drives are standard on all models. External SCSI port(s) are optional.

Fibre Channel SAN Connectivity
nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS supports Flexible Volume Mounting, enabling proper auto-mounting behavior for LUNs and volumes. With auto-mounting disabled, nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS mounts only volumes and LUNs that an administrator explicitly directs it to mount. This behavior helps prevent data corruption incidents.

iSCSI SAN Connectivity
Support for Microsoft’s iSCSI software initiator or third party iSCSI HBAs enables nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS to easily integrate with IP targets and IP SANs. Alacritech iSCSI Accelerators enhance the performance of Microsoft’s iSCSI initiator.

iSCSI Software Target (Available on certain Models)
Microsoft iSCSI Software Target option enables you to implement an iSCSI SAN with storage provisioning and management capabilities. Managed via the Microsoft Management Console, administrator’s can create and manage iSCSI targets and iSCSI virtual disks, as well as schedule, export, and locally mount snapshots for use in backup and recovery operations. Wizards are provided to facilitate these features.
  • Virtual Disk Storage:  Disks created using iSCSI Software Target are iSCSI virtual disks, which are files in the virtual hard disk (VHD) format. These virtual disks offer flexible and effective storage. They are dynamically extendable to provide extra capacity on demand, enable efficient storage utilization, and minimize the downtime required to create and install new disks.
  • Snapshots: To facilitate backup and recovery operations, you can schedule and create snapshots of iSCSI virtual disks. Snapshots can be scheduled to be created automatically without stopping programs and can be mounted locally or exported to facilitate backup and recovery operations.
  • Hardware Providers: To support advanced management of iSCSI virtual disks and snapshots, you can install the Virtual Disk Service (VDS) and Virtual Shadow Copy Service (VSS) hardware providers, provided with system.
Integration with Microsoft Applications
Windows SharePoint® Services
Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services is a powerful Web-based team collaboration environment that is included in WUDSS. Windows SharePoint Services provides an integrated portfolio of collaboration and communication services designed to connect people, information, processes, and system both within and beyond the organizational firewalls.

WebDAV Support
Web-based Distributed Authoring Versioning (WebDAV) allows customers to access and manage web based files using HTTP including data stored in Microsoft Windows Share Point Services and MSN Communities, as if they were standard file servers. The update to WebDAV also helps prevent customers credentials (user name, password) from being transmitted over unencrypted channels airing such exchanges.

Print Management
Print Management is an updated Microsoft Management Console snap-in that you can use to view and manage printers and print servers in your organization. You can use Print Management to manage all network printers on print servers running Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003, Windows Storage Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, or Windows Storage Server 2003 R2.
Integration with Microsoft Applications
ISV Utility Support:
nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS is developed using Wndows STroage Server 2003 R2, it includes all the benefits of application support available in Windows Server 2003 R2. Critical ISV utilities, such as antivirus and Backup are available and supported.

can be configured as a powerful and versatile network disk-based Backup Appliance. Data can be backed up to RAID protected hard disks, greatly accelerating the backup process and providing for near-instant data restores, then transferred to tape for off-site or long-term archive. nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS supports Windows Server 2003 compatible backup applications and agents.
  • Disk-to-Disk-to-Tape (D2D2T) Backup
    nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS can be configured as a powerful and versatile network disk-based Backup Appliance. Data can be backed up to RAID protected hard disks, greatly accelerating the backup process and providing for near-instant data restores, then transferred to tape for off-site or long-term archive. nAppliance’s IPDATA-WUDSS supports Windows Server 2003 compatible backup applications and agents.
  • Anti-Virus Support
    Windows Unified Data Storage Server 2003 is built upon the Windows Server family of operating systems, therefore you can benefit from the increased security provided by existing antivirus software from a variety of supported Microsoft partners. For more information on Microsoft’s antivirus partners, visit: http://www.microsoft.com/security/partners/antivirus.asp


 
 
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