Overview Of Non-Stop Storage Solution; Features Of Non-Stop Storage Solution; Suitable Systems For Non-Stop Storage - Fujitsu ETERNUS AF250 S2 Configuration Manual

FUJITSU Storage ETERNUS AF series and ETERNUS DX S4/S3 series

1. Overview of Non-Stop Storage Solution

Redundancy has long been adopted for servers, with this also providing redundancy for any internal hard disks in the server. While
configurations such as the shared disks in cluster systems or server virtualization have involved servers using external disk storage,
redundancy for the storage systems themselves has relied on the server software and its use has remained limited.
In recent years, however, awareness of business continuity has been rising and virtualization involves running many virtual machines on the
same physical storage system. For these reasons, redundancy is also required for general-purpose storage systems.
Non-stop storage means a storage environment that can maintain uninterrupted operation with high reliability and optimal performance
over long periods of time, even in the event of physical failures, problems, or emergencies. Locating physical servers and storage systems in
different buildings or at different sites provides an ideal environment for mission-critical systems because they can remain in operation
during emergencies such as problems or power outages.
1.1.

Features of Non-Stop Storage Solution

This solution provides redundancy for storage systems to provide an environment in which the customer's business can continue to operate
even if physical damage occurs as a result of a problem or emergency by automatically switching the storage systems. Moreover, data
consistency and the ability to recover are maintained even if data corruption is present after such a switchover because the backup data is
automatically carried over, along with business data.
This solution includes Automated Storage Tiering (AST) that has the ability to automatically select a suitable storage device for the storage
cost and the Automated Quality of Service (Auto QoS) function that automatically optimizes access to the storage area network (SAN) for
linking servers with storage systems. This provides a reliable storage environment that can both maintain performance and reduce storage
costs despite fluctuations in workload, business expansion, or the accumulation of data over time.
1.2.

Suitable Systems for Non-Stop Storage

This solution is suitable for the following systems.
- Systems that require high reliability with uninterrupted 24-hour/365-day operation
Systems that must remain in operation even if storage systems are unavailable due to equipment failure or building power failure, etc.
- Systems that demand stable storage performance
Systems that are subject to variable loads of access to storage systems and virtualization environments that host various business
systems
- Systems where workloads are expected to increase over time
Systems on which storage capacity requirements and throughput continue to increase after installation due to business growth
The following shows application examples of this solution.
- Application to financial systems
The solution provides non-stop operation with data redundancy across storage systems for systems that provide 24-hour/365-day
services, such as Internet banking or ATMs, including during electrical maintenance inspections, storage failures, and disasters.
- Application to systems for managing medical imaging data
The solution provides data redundancy at the storage system level for medical imaging data, the safe-keeping of which is a legal
obligation, and reduces storage costs by automatically moving data for recovered patients to low-cost Nearline disks.
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