LSI Syncro to the rescue
LSI has provided controllers for all sorts of storage products and devices over the years. They have definitely become a trusted source of hardware for small and medium sized businesses.
LSI’s solution to the many problems of storage choices is what they are calling High Availability DAS. LSI describes High availability DAS, as “Storage Clustering where controller to controller connectivity is provided through the SAS. Servers share storage and fail-over for resources load balancing or if the primary server fails.”
Syncro CS is their first hardware and software package providing High Availability DAS. Targeted at the Windows Server 2012 platform. According to LSI the development of Syncro with Microsoft goes back three years.
LSI’s Achieves their HA DAS by moving away from traditional DAS Single server limitations. Instead of a DAS box being connected to a single server, it can be connected with two servers at the same time. This isn’t your traditional Split DAS solution either(where half the array is connected to one server and half to another). This is actually two servers connected to the array at once.
Believe me I was concerned about this when I first heard it too. So I asked them exactly what did they mean by two servers at once. Where we talking when one server fails the other one takes over control of the array. With the second server purely sitting there for redundancy in fail-over option set or hot spare situation. Or was it again another traditional split DAS solution.
LSI assured us that your attached storage arrays can actually be utilized by both servers at once. Both attached windows servers can be operating and accessing whatever they want across the array. However now you have an added form of redundancy, If one server or controller fails, you have the other keep your storage available. Not only is the same data available to both servers, but the configuration of the controllers are mirrored to each other.
LSI and Microsoft are also calling this a viable Cluster In Box product. When coupled with a server chassis containing two blades and storage array in the front.
So what are you actually getting, being that Syncro itself isn’t actually a full cluster in a box, just kit of hardware and software to facilitate the building of one. What exactly is in the box you ask.
So your getting two cards, Cachevault Modules, A hardware key for the software contained on the card (which isn’t listed but I am told by LSI there is one), low profile brackets, and a cd containing documentation and drivers.
Deploying Syncro
LSI and Microsoft Both claim extreme ease of use. While Microsoft is admittedly only responsible for some of the compatibility with Windows cluster failover manager, and Disk management utilities). LSI’s collaboration with them has said to of allowed much easier out of box setup experience. LSI even went so far as to claim that in some situations they where able to setup clusters in as little as 15 minutes. Now being that repetition breeds efficiency I am sure for first time users its nothing close to being quite that fast. However Look at what USB plug and play devices did for ease of use compared to the old windows 95 hardware installation process. If the setup is claiming to be simplified at this level it certainly could be possible. After all LSI’s current setup process for single machine arrays certainly is small.
LSI said that Microsoft further facilitated the ease of setup with “Microsoft Out of Box Experience (OOBE) Utility”. Which provides an easy to follow checklist / wizard, to help facilitate setup.
Moving past setup LSI said they see this servicing many different places in the windows server environment. Even going so far as saying they could see it being used for creating appliance like storage servers to service the current demand virtual machine storage.
My thoughts about Syncro
If you read our previous review of the LSI MegaRAID 9271-8i you would recognize the Cluster In a Box version has the same controllers in the kit. It also has the CacheVault modules, and Tecate PowerPacks, in place of a traditional BBU. The cost of which was roughly 1,400$ before taxes and shipping. For the single card package with software licences. So Two cards is around 2800$, which is a good distance off of the $5000-$5500 price take they suggest.
So your probably thinking about the same thing I was thinking at about this point of the presentation. Whats keeping me from grabbing another controller and doing this myself. Which I promptly opened my big mouth and asked during the meeting (yes sorry LSI I am that person).
After I am not doubt where a bunch of looks declaring ooh dear its a Linux user (sadly I wasn’t in the same location so they could not throw their coffee at me and declare me the enemy). They promptly answered my question. A large portion of the cost is the High Availability software. Which is unique at this point in time to the Syncro CS versions of these cards. (yes I tried to pry that out of them too, can’t blame me for not trying to be resourceful)
The simple fact is High Availability has a premium attached to it. Its allways gonna have a premium attached to it for the sole reason of how much testing has to be performed during the development and support cycle. However hopefully after a while we can see the price drop. Since its currently only a suggestion. As of the time of writing this article I can’t pic of the phone and call any of my suppliers and talk to them about what kind of deal they can give me. Since it hasn’t been released yet. But if your seriously considering adoption of this for your windows infastructure enviroment I would definitely haggle some with your supplier.
Now I do very little currently in the windows server infastructure. So commenting on windows server 2012 disk management and clustered disk failover utility. Is not something I feel comfortable talking about. With any degree of certainty. I do feel safe in talking about the hardware and software contained on LSI’s cards. It is definitely something that I can’t wait to get my hands on. While LSI currently isn’t going to be offering a version for linux or vmware. They certainly didn’t turn down the possibility of supporting it down the road.
Its nice to see something that appears like it can deliver the failover functionality that we see offered by large SANs. Only easier to use and priced somewhat more appropriately for small and medium sized businesses.
More information about Syncro CS
For more information about Syncro CS visit LSI micro site for it – www.TheSmarterWayToOn.com
Also you can visit them At Microsoft TechED – June 3-6th Booth #1602
There will be a live Syncro CS demonstration at the booth. They will be serving online games while showing the failover in action.
Also be sure to check out Tuesdays presnetation at 10:15am – Greg Huff, LSI CTO will be presenting Syncro, explaining the architecture and development of Syncro CS.
On Wensday Micrsoft Session CIB 10:15am – Jon Loveall. Will be presnetion LSI Syncro CS solution, along with Microsoft TAP: Edgenet. Who has had Syncro CS in deployment for a while. Giving their experiences with working and using Syncro.
Special Thanks to LSI for allowing us to be a part of this launch.
All images are Property of LSI
