We deliver servers based on the configuration the client needs. If the client wishes for a low availability low cost configuration, then standalone servers are used. If the client wishes to go for a high availability solution, then we offer either clustered or load balanced configurations or both. Clustering is normally used for servers with content that changes continuously like data base servers or email servers. Load balancing is normally used for servers with content that does not change like web servers or ftp servers.

      Storage systems come in many flavours based on the technology and the connectivity channels desired. We offer DAS, NAS, and SAN storage systems; in addition to tape libraries to backup the storage system.

DAS = Directly Attached Storage
NAS = Network Attached Storage
SAN = Storage Area Network

       DAS is composed of SCSI, or SAS drives that are installed on the servers directly. This is what the name implies. The limitation in size comes from the maximum number of drives the server can take. The speed of the DAS is relevant to the drives spinning speed, the raid controller speed, and the amount of cache the controller has on it.

      NAS is a storage box with a controller that links to the network directly. Any server or PC/notebook on the network; wether local or over the WAN or over the Internet; can access the NAS and can map it (partially or fully) as a network volume. The limitation in size comes from the controller. Each controller has a maximum capacity it can handle. The speed of the NAS is relevant to the drives spinning speed, the NAS bus speed, and the NAS network link speed. It is highly preferable to link the NAS to the core switch on a Gigabit port.

      SAN is the highest form of availability and performance in storage systems. SAN systems are formulated around fiber channel switches running at speeds from 1-4Gbps. The storage box, the tape library, and all the clustered servers get connected to the fiber channel switch over fiber optic cables using special adapters either embedded or added. Storage boxes and tape libraries come with embedded fiber channel interfaces. For file servers that need to be members of the SAN system, we add HBA (Host Based Adapters).