HP NetServer AA 4000 Guide

maximize
uptime
hp netserver
aa 6200
solutions
hp netserver aa 6200 solutions
maximize uptime and lower cost of ownership
Hewlett-Packard now offers a complete set of HP Netserver AA Solutions that provide
the highest availability possible in a Microsoft®Windows NT®or Windows®2000
environment. These industry-leading solutions advance system uptime to the highest
possible level—offering nonstop processing, continuous data access, uninterrupted
connectivity, and constant performance for mission critical services.
features and
benefits
•user consolidation: reduces cost of ownership
•single system image: leverages hardware, software, and training investment
•no single point of failure: nonstop processing, continuous data access
•runs standard Windows NT and Windows 2000: investment protection
•runs on general-purpose hp netservers: investment protection
•runs off-the-shelf software: reduces costs for special programming
•hp support: provides protection and peace of mind
•hp‘s 25-plus years: put experience on your side
hp’s suite of
aa solutions
With this offering, HP is the only company that provides solutions for Windows NT or
Windows 2000 and general-purpose servers—solutions that address all the primary
causes of system downtime, including hardware, software, administrative, and
environmental failures. Each solution is complete and includes a comprehensive suite of
hardware, software, and mission critical services. HP Netserver AA Solutions include a
choice of mission critical hardware and software support services, full solution
management, a range of pre-configuration services, and optional application packages.
simple architecture,
simple solutions
Using a simple but “bulletproof” architecture, the HP Netserver AA Solution has no single
point of failure. It can withstand multiple failures with no interruption of service to end
users. What makes the solution unique is that it runs with standard, off-the-shelf
applications, on HP Netserver systems—with no modifications to the operating system and
no need for special middleware, scripts, or applications.

simple deployment
and lower costs
The HP Netserver AA Solutions are especially important to companies with mission critical
processing environments where continuous data access is required. Reduced downtime
means higher availability and greater productivity. With architecture that can withstand
multiple failures without an end-user service interruption, HP Netserver AA Solutions offer
the highest level of availability possible—along with greater peace of mind. The solution
is engineered to run in a standard Windows NT or Windows 2000 environment, for
simplified deployment with a lower total cost of ownership.
HP Netserver AA Solutions leverage previous investments in servers, software, and
training while maximizing system uptime and protecting critical data from catastrophic
loss or corruption. In addition, they make it possible to attain a lower total cost of
ownership—for the data center, for disaster recovery scenarios, or for large numbers of
branch offices—by consolidating users, systems storage, management, and backup.
Finally, their ability to run standard applications means that no expensive programming
modifications are needed. No matter what the industry—financial services, banking, or
healthcare—when downtime is not an option, the HP Netserver AA Solution is the one to
count on to protect your business.
how do we do it? Because HP Netserver AA Solutions use general-purpose servers, standard Windows NT
or Windows 2000 Server software, and unmodified applications, the technology is easily
integrated into mainstream computing environments.
The logical server is created out of an array of four separate servers. Computing
processing is separated from input/output processing, and the array runs simultaneously
on two symmetrical halves (tuples) to ensure that there is no single point of failure. The
I/O processors run asynchronously while the compute elements run synchronously in
lockstep (see Figure 1).
figure 1. the hp netserver aa solution
With the HP Netserver AA 6200 Solution, this pairing of servers—called a tuple—can
be located up to 500 meters apart, providing disaster tolerance to keep operations
running even during a fire or other calamity. This unique tuple arrangement provides the
highest level of availability for a platform running Intel®processors in a Windows NT or
Windows 2000 environment and establishes a solid strategy to cope with both planned
(for maintenance or backup) and unplanned downtime.

for example . . . To understand the flexibility this arrangement offers, consider the example of a customer
managing 25 distributed HP Netserver AA Solutions at a variety of remote locations. In
the event of a server or site failure, the administrator is notified and gains access to
information provided by the HP management tools. There is no interruption of service
when any one server—or even one half of an entire array—fails, since the other half of
the array continues to function, “masking” users from the other half‘s failure. Since the
array is still functioning but in a vulnerable state, the administrator is able to make a
conscious decision to deploy a field engineer immediately or wait for a regularly
scheduled maintenance visit.
providing
complete intelligent
manageability
•Standard, Windows-based environment means the solution is easy to use.
•Status of all HP Netserver AA Solution components can be viewed and monitored.
•HP Netserver AA Solution components are configurable.
•Configuration utility and Windows NT and Windows 2000 administration tools are
included.
hp’s support
offerings
In addition to intelligent manageability, the highest level of reactive hardware and
software support has been integrated into the HP Netserver AA 6200 Solution. Plus, HP
offers a range of support services with options to suit a variety of requirements:
integrated solution support available services for Windows NT and
Windows 2000
•hp call-to-repair commitment on
all four hp netservers within the
solution
•24×7 phone support for
software, Windows NT, and
Windows 2000
•immediate access to highly
trained, Microsoft-certified and
aa resolution engineers
•fast path critical issue escalation
management to marathon and
Microsoft Virtual Labs
•timed-based commitments for
patches
•priority software recovery for BackOffice
•priority management
•servicepack review
•change planning
•performance optimization
•technical consulting topic
•ASE services for Windows NT and
Windows 2000
•operations checkup
•assured availability implementation
assistance service
•custom design and deployment service
•training and education
flexible
configurations
The HP Netserver AA 6200 Solution supports the data center. For mission critical support,
the Solution includes Hardware Call-to-Repair and Priority Recovery support services.
data center
configuration
The HP Netserver AA 6200 Solution central site configurations consist of four
HP Netserver systems and one HP Surestore Taperack, all in a single 2.0-meter
rack. Optimized for the data center and supporting large amounts of external
storage, central site configurations include 24×7 hardware and software phone
support.
hardware
call-to-repair
Hardware 6-hour call-to-repair commitment for all four HP Netservers.
standard recovery:
one year
Standard software recovery for the HP Netserver AA Solution is HP’s highest
reactive software support for Windows NT, Windows 2000, and the HP Netserver
AA Solution (excludes BackOffice).

complementary
to clustering
Because it has different characteristics from a cluster, the HP Netserver AA Solution should
be considered a com
p
lementar
y
technolo
gy
to
p
roducts such as Microsoft Cluster Services,
NSI DoubleTake, and Legato Co-Standby Server. It is most appropriate for systems that
cannot tolerate significant interruptions of service to end users or to other systems.
no match
in the industry
The HP Netserver AA Solutions add to the top end of Hewlett-Packard’s broad array
of industry-standard solutions. With 25+ years of experience, HP is proud to add its
Netserver AA Solutions to complement its complete spectrum of mission critical offerings.
hp netservers:
simply reliable
When downtime is not an option, your decision to move up to the HP Netserver AA
Solution is the one choice that is simply reliable.
We provide a template tool to simplify the ordering and configuration process for
HP Netserver AA Solutions. The template can be used to select the HP Netserver AA 6200
Solution. Its address, along with other useful Web sites, is included below:
Web sites http://netserver.hp.com/netserver/products/highlights_ha.asp—HP Netserver high
availability
www.hp.com/hps/mstech/index.htm—HP Services for Windows NT and Windows 2000
www.marathontechnologies.com—Marathon home page for fault-tolerant technology on
Windows NT and Windows 2000
www.microsoft.com/technet/reliable—Microsoft high availability Web site
http://netserver.hp.com/netserver/products/order_assured_avail.asp—HP Netserver
AA 6200 ordering template
HP Netserver AA Solutions are based on Endurance products from Marathon Technologies.
Assured Availability is a trademark of Marathon Technologies Corporation. Intel is a U.S. registered trademark of Intel Corporation. Microsoft,
Windows, and Windows NT are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© Copyright Hewlett-Packard Company 2001.
J
une 2001