On June 7th 2017, Stratus announced the release of the new ftServer range: 2810, 4810, and 6810 systems, that support Microsoft Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2012 R2 operating environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s new or improved about these models? Why should I consider them?
These new ftServer models offer better performance, enhanced availability, and improved manageability over previous ftServer systems. In simulated benchmarks performed internally, applications on new ftServer models ran on average 34% faster than on comparable current models. Based on the age of your current computer infrastructure, your availability SLAs, and the types of workloads you’re running on them, these new ftServer models may be compelling platforms to cost effectively and easily meet your recovery time and recovery point objectives.
What are the specific features or enhancements in these models that deliver these improvements?
These new ftServer models feature the latest Intel Xeon 2600 series chipsets (Broadwell-EP), as well as larger, faster memory, for improved performance and scalability. They also support the latest Microsoft Windows Server 2016 operating system. With up to 28 cores and 1 TB of memory, ftServer can handle your most processor and data-intensive workloads. With faster reboot times and a new simplex alert, both planned and unplanned downtime is further reduced. Faster data paths and downloadable AUL (automated uptime layer) software improve remote manageability and usability.
Does Stratus ftServer support other operating environments?
Yes. Stratus ftServer supports most industry standard operating environments, including Microsoft Windows Server, VMware vSphere, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Current Stratus ftServer 2800, 4800, and 6800 models support Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2, VMware vSphere 6, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7. New ftServer 2810, 4810 and 6810 models supporting Microsoft Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2012 R2 will be generally available on June 7, 2017. New ftServer 2810, 4810, and 6810 models supporting VMware vSphere 6 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 will be generally available later this year.
Is there a difference between continuous availability and high availability?
Yes. Continuous availability is about proactively preventing downtime, while high availability is about reacting as quickly as possible once downtime occurs. Continuously available platforms leverage technologies like redundancy, lockstep processing, and data mirroring to mitigate the risk of component failures and ensure continuous processing. Highly available platforms leverage technologies like clustering or migration, to try and quickly recover from a component failure by restarting the service in another location.
Is ftServer a continuously available or highly available platform?
Stratus ftServer is a continuously available platform. Every single ftServer system is made up of two identical halves – two identical customer replaceable units (CRUs) – each with their own processors, memory, and storage. Identical Stratus field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) on each CRU run Lockstep firmware, ensuring the same operation takes place at the same time on each processor. If a component in one CRU fails, there’s no failing over to another system, because the other CRU continues to run without any interruption. Redundant data paths, or multi-path I/O buses, ensure data is also synchronised on both CRUs.
Where can I get additional information about Stratus ftServer?