1. Lenovo ThinkServer High-Availability Solutions
With Lenovo ThinkServer SA120 DAS Array, LSI Syncro® CS e, and Microsoft Windows Server 2012

2. Agenda The Challenge The Solution Solution Benefits Target Markets
Use Case Scenarios
Competitive Analysis
Offering Definition
Component Descriptions
Additional Resources

3. The Challenge
Continuous availability for applications and data are critical to business success
High-availability systems can meet this need
HA needs robust shared storage; however, SAN is complicated and expensive
Continuously available software and hardware platforms are designed to support transparent failover (planned or unplanned) without data loss
Shared storage is essential to achieving many of the benefits of high availability (HA). Storage area networks (SANs) satisfy this need, but a SAN can also be very complex and expensive to deploy and manage. Network-attached storage (NAS) can be more affordable, but adding reliability and data protection to NAS can significantly increase the cost.
High-availability systems are costly and difficult to buy, install, and manage

4. The Solution
LSI Syncro offering is a fail-over cluster feature that provides High Availability (HA)
using the Cluster feature of Windows 2012 R2
using a separate Active Directory Domain Controller
is not a shared storage solution.
The 2 servers (or nodes) are connected by physical cables and software via the LSI Syncro card. If one of the nodes fails, the other node begins to provide service. Both use the SA 120 DAS.
The SA 120 DAS is used as a High Available storage option accessible by only one of the nodes in the fail over cluster at any given time.
Continuously available software and hardware platforms are designed to support transparent failover (planned or unplanned) without data loss
The SA 120 DAS is used by both servers, and hence “shared”. But it is not shared storage as a DAS (Direct Attached Storage) can only be accessed by one server at a time
DAS

5. Definitions High availability Failover cluster
Refers to a system or component that is continuously operational for a desired long length of time
Failover cluster
A group of independent servers working together to increase the availability of services and applications. When a failure occurs on one server in the cluster, the resources are redirected and the workload is redistributed to another server in the cluster.
DAS – Direct Attached Storage
A data storage device connected directly to a server thru a host bus adapter. No network is used. DAS is typically designed to be used by a single computer.
Active Directory Domain Controller
Active Directory is a feature of Windows Server Operating Systems. The Active Directory Domain Controller provides authentication and authorizes users and computers within a Domain.
The SA 120 in the LSI Syncro Solution only has one connection point and therefore can not be used as “shared storage”. This specific design is set up to only allow one server or node access at any given time. In that way, the SA 120 does provide a storage that is used by both servers one at a time or “shared”.

6. Microsoft Windows Server 2012 – Meeting the Need
Shared DAS
HA solutions built on Windows Server 2012 with low-cost JBOD
Major investments made to Server 2012 to lower cost and simplify HA
Continuous availability depends on Windows Failover Clustering to survive node failure
All cluster nodes active (dual-active)
Transparent failover does not require admin attention to continue normal operation
Windows shared storage enabled with inexpensive JBOD via:
SAS HBA / Windows Storage Spaces
Syncro / Hardware RAID
New virtualization and failover clustering capabilities of Microsoft Windows Server 2012 make high-availability application and storage solutions easier to configure and less expensive to deploy. The Windows Server platform provides high availability and scalability to many types of server workloads including Hyper-V hosts, SQL Server, and file share storage for users and server applications such as Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Exchange Server.

7. The Integrated, Validated and Tested Solution
A continuously available system using clustered ThinkServer systems and shared storage using ThinkServer SA120 JBOD
Windows Server 2012 makes it easy and inexpensive
Failover clustering
Support for shared storage with JBOD
Syncro adds resiliency to data with hardware RAID capability in clustered environments
High availability with Lenovo ThinkServer, ThinkServer SA120 DAS, LSI Syncro and Windows Server 2012
describes a ThinkServer solution that provides a continuously available hardware and software platform utilizing Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Failover Clustering, which easily provides transparent failover without data loss. The LSI Syncro adapter provides robust hardware RAID data protection while supporting cluster failover, something that cannot be done natively within Windows Server. The Lenovo ThinkServer SA120 direct-attached storage array (also known as JBOD) completes the solution enabling shared storage as reliable as a SAN at a fraction of the cost. This solution rivals the functionality and scalability of advanced architectures using SANs, while reducing capital and management costs and complexity.

8. Used as a High-Availability Storage Cluster
Continuously available file share storage for server applications such as Microsoft SQL Server and Hyper- V virtual machines
Centralized networked file services for general use – continuous access to SMB and NFS file shares and iSCSI storage targets
The HA solution can serve two primary purposes. The first is as a highly available storage cluster (see Figure 1) that provides continuously available networked storage for users and server applications such as Microsoft SQL Server and Hyper-V virtual machines

9. Storage Cluster Configuration Scenarios
Hyper-V Cluster
File Server
Shared JBOD
Failover Cluster
Hyper-V Host
Scale-out file server for application data
Dual redundant paths
File Server
Shared JBOD
Failover Cluster
Hyper-V Host
Application Server
Clients
General purpose file server

10. Used as a High-Availability Application Cluster
Highly available clustered roles running on physical servers or on virtual machines that are installed on the servers running Hyper-V
The second is as an application cluster (see Figure 2) where Windows Server clustered roles run on physical servers, or on virtual machines that are installed on the servers running Hyper-V.

11. Application Cluster Configuration Scenario
Hyper-V
Shared JBOD
Failover Cluster
Hyper-V Cluster
Dual redundant paths (optional)
Dual redundant paths
Clients

12. Syncro Target Markets
Remote and Branch Offices
Affordably extends the datacenter with centralized control
Government
Address datacenter sprawl while empowering remote users and agencies
Small Business & Healthcare
Power the office with better performance, manageability, reliability and security
Retail & Hospitality
Real-time and reliable management of every part of the business
Education
Empower points of education with security and governance
Traditional Enterprise
Small Private cloud-in-a-box
Business in a Box
Branch in a Box
LSI Syncro is perfect for small and medium businesses who need a high availability solution on a budget and without expertise to deploy a high availability server cluster

13. Customer Scenarios ! ? Business in a Box Branch in a Box Problems
IT Admin
Infrastructure
Workload
What’s Needed
Examples
Server Failure means lost productivity and sales
Cannot afford traditional high availability
Part-time (IT not primary job function)
Generalist
May get assistance from VAR
Office environment equipment room
ISP network connection
Hyper-V appliance supporting all business apps and data, e.g., point of sale, inventory, documents/records
Affordable High-availability
Doctor’s office
Individual retail store
Lawyer’s office
Design / Architecture consulting office
No IT on-site, remote office server is not robust
Remote applications are slow and inflexible
Centralized at HQ
Primarily remote support
Local assistance as required
Domain-connected to main office
Hyper-V appliance running replicated branch workloads, with LOB applications, file server, and cached data
Localization of applications and fail-proof robust servers
Retail chain stores
Bank branches
Business in a Box
Branch in a Box

14. Solution Benefits
Rivals function, capability, and performance of advanced architectures at a fraction of the cost
Can achieve similar levels of reliability, availability, manageability, and performance expected of solutions using a SAN
Reduced complexity without the need for additional IT expertise
Syncro Solutions
Network Storage
SW-Based Solutions
OS based Solutions
Solution $$
Performance
Networked Storage – NetApp, EMC,
SW – VMware VSAN
OS Based – Windows w/ Storage Spaces

15. Alternative Competitive Solutions
Software Based
External Storage
Shared DAS
VRTX
Syncro™ CS
VSA (VSAN) OS
Clustering SW / SW HA
Application
Source: LSI

16. Offering Definition – Delivered as a Reference Architecture
Comments
Supported Server Platforms 1
RD340
Recommended for Storage Cluster
RD640
Recommended for Application Cluster
Server OS
Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard
Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter
Options
All Supported by the Servers
Flexibility to scale performance and capacity
HBA
9286-8e Syncro Kit
Option only, not an SBB.
CacheCade and FastPath not supported
JBOD 2
SA120
Rear SSDs not supported
Warranty Support
Same as ThinkServer
Services
Installation, Deployment, etc. Partner led
Routes
Channel
NOTES:
1 – Maximum of two server nodes supported
2 – Maximum of one JBOD supported

17. Solution Components HA Storage Cluster HA Application Cluster
Supported Platforms:
RD340 – Qty 2
RD640 – Qty 2
Shared Storage:
SA120 – Qty 1
Syncro RAID HBA:
Windows Server 2012 Standard
Windows Server 2012 Datacenter
Syncro CS Kit – Qty 1
Server OS:
Server OS – Qty 2
Server OS – Qty 2

18. ThinkServer – Balanced Design and Performance. Built-in Value.
Created with the right balance of processing power, memory, I/O and storage
Up to two Intel Xeon processors with up to 12 cores each — 27 percent faster than previous-generation servers
Large memory capacity coupled with I/O and storage scalability
OPTIMIZED FOR VIRTUALIZATION
Ideal for robust virtualization, the ThinkServer RD640 rack server features Intel Xeon performance with up to 24 cores, numerous I/O upgrades, and large memory bandwidth, so you can roll out your virtual machines with confidence
ENTERPRISE-CLASS RELIABILITY
With the capability to add hot-swap hard drives and hot-swap and redundant fans and power supplies, the RD640 maximizes uptime.
Up to RAID 10 support and ThinkServer Intelligent Diagnostics give you get rock-solid reliability while maximizing uptime
Lenovo ThinkServer RD640
Lenovo ThinkServer RD340
2013 LENOVO INTERNAL. All rights reserved.

19. ThinkServer SA120 – Innovative Design. Impressive Value.
Modular and Scalable
12 x 3.5” front SAS HDD
4 x 2.5” optional rear SSD bays for optimal tiered storage (Not Supported with Syncro)
Up to 2x I/O controllers for performance, redundancy and fault tolerance
Customer Focused Design
Legendary Think quality
Hot-swap & redundant PSU & fans
Hot-swap I/O controllers
Tool-less serviceability
Great Features and Value
Common parts w/ ThinkServer for convenient hot spares
High-reliability backplane
High-efficiency, 80PLUS gold power supplies
Use your existing tools…
Uses open industry standards & protocols
Works in multi-vendor environments
Seamlessly integrates into your environment
Or ours…
EasyStartup/EasyManage/EasyUpdate
Smart Grid power management
Full life cycle manageability
True Industry Standard Access
IPMI 2.0, DCMI 1.0, SMASH-CLP, WS-MAN
Comprehensive Monitoring and Alerting
IPMI Traps, SNMP Traps, SMTP, CIM
Event logs; IPMI System Event Log (SEL)
Security
User authentication: local or LDAP
IPMI 2.0 Firmware Firewall 19
2014 LENOVO INTERNAL. All rights reserved.

20. LSI Syncro
High Performance – Uses SAS to move Data, not IP; Offloads RAID algorithms from CPU
Complete HW RAID level support: 0, 1, 5, 6, 00, 10, 50, 60
Sophisticated error management and recovery
Dedicated, global and enclosure affinity hot spare options support the cluster
1GB write-back and read cache for better I/O performance
CacheVault for cache protection
Boot support
Built on trusted MegaRAID technology, familiar for customers using LSI products

21. Storage Cluster Server Recommended TopSeller Base Configuration
Part Number
Description
Quantity
70AB001XUX
RD340 (1U rack server with 4 x 3.5-inch hot-swap HDD bays)
1 x Intel Xeon processor E v2 (8-cores, 20MB cache, 1.9GHz, 7.2GT/s QPI)
1 x 8GB DDR3L-1600MHz (2Rx8) RDIMM
ThinkServer RAID 300 (RAID 0, 1, 10)
2 x integrated 1 Gb Ethernet
1 x 550W Gold hot-swap redundant power supply
Slim DVD optical
ThinkServer Management Module
ThinkServer tool-less rail kit
Next Business Day On-site Warranty, 3 Years Parts and Labor 1
0C19534
ThinkServer 8GB DDR3L-1600MHz (2Rx8) RDIMM 3
4XB0F28655
ThinkServer Syncro CS e 6Gb High Availability Enablement Kit by LSI
Includes two ThinkServer 1 meter external mini-SAS cables
0A89473
ThinkServer 500GB 7.2K 3.5-inch enterprise 6Gbps SATA hot-swap hard drive 2
0C19506
ThinkServer 1Gbps Ethernet I350-T2 Server Adapter by Intel (Dual Port, 1Gb BASE-T)
67Y2624
ThinkServer Management Module Premium for Remote iKVM
4X20E54689
550W Gold hot-swap redundant power supply
4XI0E51561
Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard (2CPU/2VMs)

22. Application Cluster Server Recommended TopSeller Base Configuration
Part Number
Description
Quantity
70B10007UX
RD640 (2U Rack with 8 x 2.5-inch hot swap HDD bays)
1 x Intel Xeon processor E v2 (8-core, 20MB cache, 2.00 GHz, 7.20 GT/s QPI)
1 x 8GB DDR3L-1600MHz (2Rx8) RDIMM
1 x ThinkServer RAID 700 Adapter II (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60)
2 x integrated 1 Gb Ethernet
ThinkServer Management Module
1 x 800W Gold hot-swap redundant power supply
Slim DVD R/W optical
ThinkServer tool-less rail kit
Next Business Day On-site Warranty, 3 Years Parts and Labor 1
0C19534
ThinkServer 8GB DDR3L-1600MHz (2Rx8) RDIMM 7
4XB0F28655
ThinkServer Syncro CS e 6Gb High Availability Enablement Kit by LSI
Includes two ThinkServer 1 meter external mini-SAS cables
0C19495
ThinkServer 500GB 7.2K 2.5-inch enterprise 6Gbps SATA hot- swap hard drive 2
0C19506
ThinkServer 1Gbps Ethernet I350-T2 Server Adapter by Intel (Dual Port, 1G BASE-T)
67Y2624
ThinkServer Management Module Premium for Remote iKVM
4X20E54690
800W Gold hot-swap redundant power supply
4XI0E51562
Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter

23. Lenovo ThinkServer Syncro CS 9286-8e 6Gb High Availability Enablement Kit by LSI
Option Kit PN: 4XB0F28655
Component
Quantity
Syncro CS e RAID adapters with 3U brackets installed 2
CacheVaultR Flash Modules (pre-installed on the RAID cards)
CacheVault Super Capacitor Modules
Low-profile (2U) brackets
Brackets for ThinkServer RD340 and ThinkServer RD640
CacheVault 750mm remote cables
1m SAS cables
User Guide Documentation 1

24. SA120 Recommended Base Configuration
Part Number
Description
Quantity
70F10001UX
SA120 (2U rack-mountable disk array with 12 x 3.5-inch hot-swap HDD Bays)
Dual ThinkServer Storage Array I/O Module (6 Gbps)
Dual redundant 550W PSUs
Two ThinkServer 1 meter external mini-SAS cables
ThinkServer static rail kit
Next Business Day On-site Warranty, 3 Years Parts and Labor 1
0C19530
ThinkServer 3.5-inch 1TB 7.2K SAS 6Gbps hot-swap hard drive 12

25. Scaling the Solution with ThinkServer Options
Increase processing bandwidth for auxiliary processes (e.g. anti-virus, deduplication, backup for storage, or additional VMs for applications)
raise the performance and power rating of the processors
increase the installed memory in each server cluster node
Increase network IOPs
increase number of NIC ports, or the bandwidth of the ports in each server cluster node
Expand the storage array capacity
add more, or higher capacity drives
capacity can also be increased by adding additional clusters (servers and JBOD shared storage clusters)
Enhance performance
add additional drives (more spindles in a RAID virtual drive)
2013 LENOVO INTERNAL. All rights reserved.

26. Recommended Server Expansion Options
Description
Part Number
Memory
ThinkServer 4GB DDR3-1866MHz (1Rx8) RDIMM
4X70F28585
ThinkServer 8GB DDR3-1866MHz (1Rx4) RDIMM
4X70F28586
ThinkServer 16GB DDR3-1866MHz (2Rx4) RDIMM
4X70F28587
ThinkServer 4GB DDR3L-1600MHz (1Rx8) RDIMM
0C19533
ThinkServer 8GB DDR3L-1600MHz (2Rx8) RDIMM
0C19534
ThinkServer 16GB DDR3L-1600MHz (2Rx4) RDIMM
0C19535
HDDs
ThinkServer 500GB 7.2K 3.5-inch Enterprise 6Gbps SATA Hot Swap Hard Drive
0A89473
ThinkServer 1TB 7.2K 3.5-inch Enterprise 6Gbps SATA Hot Swap Hard Drive
0A89474
ThinkServer 2TB 7.2K 3.5-inch Enterprise 6Gbps SATA Hot Swap Hard Drive
0A89475
ThinkServer 3TB 7.2K 3.5-inch Enterprise 6Gbps SATA Hot Swap Hard Drive
0A89477
ThinkServer 3.5-inch 4TB 7.2K Enterprise SATA 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive
0C19520
ThinkServer 3.5-inch 300GB 15K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive
67Y2616
ThinkServer 3.5-inch 600GB 15K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive
4XB0F28644
ThinkServer 3.5-inch 1TB 7.2K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive
0C19530
ThinkServer 3.5-inch 2TB 7.2K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive
0C19531
ThinkServer 3.5-inch 3TB 7.2K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive
0C19532

27. Recommended Server Expansion Options (cont.)
Description
Part Number
Network Adapters
ThinkServer 1Gbps Ethernet I350-T2 Server Adapter by Intel
0C19506
ThinkServer 1Gbps Ethernet I350-T4 Server Adapter by Intel
0C19507
Lenovo 10Gbps Ethernet X520-SR2 Server Adapter by Intel
0C19487
Lenovo 10Gbps Ethernet X520-DA2 Server Adapter by Intel
0C19486
Lenovo 10Gbps Ethernet X540-T2 Server Adapter by Intel
0C19497
Lenovo 10Gbps Ethernet Fibre Module by Intel
0C19488

28. Recommended SA120 Expansion Options
Description
Part Number
HDDs
ThinkServer 3.5-inch 1TB 7.2K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive
0C19530
ThinkServer 3.5-inch 2TB 7.2K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive
0C19531
ThinkServer 3.5-inch 3TB 7.2K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive
0C19532
ThinkServer 3.5-inch 4TB 7.2K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive
4XB0F28635
Cables
ThinkServer 1 meter External mini-SAS cable
4X90F31495
ThinkServer 2 meters External mini-SAS cable
4X90F31496
ThinkServer 4 meters External mini-SAS cable
4X90F31497
ThinkServer 6 meters External mini-SAS cable
4X90F31498

29. Resources to Help You Solutions Guide / Reference Architecture
Customer Presentation
Technical Sales Training
LSI Resources (the Smarter Way to On)
Collateral and Case Studies
Lenovo Web Content

32. HA with Syncro Solution – Executive Summary
Solution Components
Two ThinkServer Systems with LSI Syncro e controllers on each
One ThinkServer SA120 Direct Attach Storage
Windows Server 2012
Solution Value
Provides continuous availability for applications and storage at a fraction of the cost and complexity of traditional high availability solutions
Can achieve similar levels of reliability, availability, manageability, and performance expected of solutions using a SAN
Reduced complexity without the need for additional IT expertise
Perfect for SMB, remote offices and datacenters

33. Syncro vs. Storage Spaces
Generates three times as many IOPs in a sequential-read workload
Better write performance for all RAIDs in small-scale configurations
Built on MegaRAID for optimal performance
Perfect for small- and medium-sized businesses, remote offices and data centers
RAID level options: 0, 1, 5, 6, 00, 10, 50, 60
1GB write-back and read cache
Dedicated, global and enclosure affinity hot spare options in high availability domain
Large choice of stripe sizes allow better tuning to custom I/O profile
Requires the use of other Microsoft components to work optimally
More efficient for high-end clusters, with the use of SAS SSDs
RAID options limited to: simple (non-RAID), mirror (R1), parity (R5)
Only supports non-RAID HBAs
Storage tiering requires at least one SAS SSD
Performance
Features
Drive rebuilds are not automatic
Media error handling is absent
No rebuilding if no hot spare was present at moment of a drive failure
Configuration split between Failover and Server Management consoles
Some functions only available in CLI
Lacks media error reporting and audible alarms
No pre-boot configuration utility
Data
Protection
Management
Automatic drive rebuild, without a dedicated hot spare
Write-back and mirroring cache without SSDs
CacheVault protection
Sophisticated drive error recovery algorithms and bad block list management
Extensive event log for troubleshooting
Quick access to all storage components using MegaRAID Storage Manager
Command line, GUI, SMI-S and SNMP applications offered to satisfy any requirements
Enclosure LED management