Metro Storage Cluster
Metro Storage Cluster is the perfect solution when disaster and downtime avoidance is a key requirement. This VMware-based configuration allows you to operate stretched storage clusters across two separate UKFast data centres. This means you can effectively extend your eCloud Private or eCloud Hybrid "local" storage and network across two physically separate locations.
The Benefits
Geographic Resilience
Balance workloads across two of our enterprise-grade, UK data centres
Rapid Recovery
In disaster scenarios - achieve near-zero Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO)
High Availability
Achieve many of the benefits of a local high-availability configuration, with the added benefit of geographic separation
Machine Migration
Live virtual machine migration - migrate VMs between sites, with zero downtime
How it Works
VMware Metro Storage Cluster (vMSC) is an option which can be added to an eCloud Private or eCloud Hybrid environment at UKFast. Our multi-site network is designed to deliver the high bandwidth, low latency connectivity that vMSC needs to work effectively, and provide the benefits of a local high-availability solution with geographic separation.
VMware Metro Storage Cluster combines synchronous replication with array-based clustering. When running a vMSC, your storage subsystems seamlessly span the two data centres, presenting a single and common infrastructure to your VMware vSphere virtual machine layer.
vMSC is recommended where disaster and downtime avoidance cannot be tolerated. In other words, it's about seeking to protect your applications and data before a disaster occurs. Combining vMSC with our Advanced Backup with Commvault service can also provide a comprehensive disaster recovery solution.
Under The Bonnet
vSphere Technology
Your eCloud virtual machine layer runs on VMware's vSphere technology. Metro Storage Clustering creates a single storage subsystem that spans two UKFast data centres, and presents it to your virtual machine layer.
Fibre Channel
Connectivity between your virtual machine layer and vMSC is provided by Fibre Channel, which supports the maximum round trip time of less than 10 milliseconds for vMSC to function as designed.
vMSC Configurations
Various vMSC configurations are possible, talk to our eCloud experts to understand which one is right for you.
