National network integration and infrastructure management specialist Integr8 IT, in conjunction with internationally recognised vendor partners Sun Microsystems, Computer Associates, 3Com and Microsoft, has successfully completed the first iSCSI solution roll-out of its kind in SA.
The implementation, unique in terms of the plethora of technologies from various vendor partners, formed part of a larger project to upgrade the network infrastructure on behalf of GRAFTECH International Inc, represented locally by Meyerton-based UCAR South Africa, the only fully integrated manufacturer of graphite electrodes, carburises and speciality graphite products in SA.
In order to optimise its networking performance, UCAR South Africa required an upgrade from a 10/100Mb network to a fully fledged 100/1000Mb platform using 3Com switching and fibre equipment, as well as a fault-tolerant SQL 2000 platform for its in-house production system.
The company opted for the Computer Associates (CA) range of product including Arcserve and various agents such as High Availability as the CA failover software for provider SQL fault tolerance, eTrust SCM and eTrust Anti-Virus to protect the network against viruses, spam, etc.
Integr8 IT worked tirelessly to integrate technology from its vendor partners to roll-out an iSCSI solution to enable UCAR South Africa to centralise its data on the Microsoft Windows 2003 Storage Edition utilising an HP SAN.
"iSCSI is the same as using fibre channel SAN networks with the difference being that data are transferred over existing Ethernet networks as opposed to fibre. The benefits of going this route include cost-efficiency, distance, simplicity in effectively creating a SAN environment without fibre," explains Louis Botha, Solutions Architect. "The client also opted for Sun Microsystems` AMD-based servers for the SQL platform. The benefits of this decision meant readiness for SQL 2005 which is a 64-bit platform thus eliminating the need to replace hardware."
According to Robert Sussman and Lance Fanaroff, joint-managing directors of Integr8 IT, it takes specialised skills sets, reliable product knowledge and meticulous attention to various technological developments to handle cross-vendor installation.
"The iSCSI solution implementation was a real test of our capabilities and our understanding of various networking environments. Our long-standing partnerships with these vendors continues to pay dividends and we are pleased to be at the forefront of the latest in hi-tech, feature-rich investment," says Sussman.
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