Switched Disk environments are used for managing unplanned events, such as application and hardware failures which may have a major impact to business productivity. In a typical switched disk environment there are two application servers sharing a common database sub-system where only one of the two servers has read/write access rights to the common data disk at a time. If the primary server is unavailable, this solution allows users to switchover or failover to the secondary application server for continuous information access.

iSeries (AS/400) Environment
In an OS/400 switched disk environment, a common Independent Auxiliary Storage Pool (IASP) is created and shared between two individual OS/400 iSeries servers, or a single iSeries server that has logical partitioned instances of the OS/400 operating system. Based on OS clustering support, ORION SD for OS/400 provides communication between servers guaranteeing the right OS/400 instance can actively read and write to the common IASP disk, so business continues uninterrupted.

To deliver high availability functionality in a switched disk solution, each server must have identical applications and “state” to switch users from one to another. In most open systems applications, this is typically managed at the database level. In an OS/400 environment however, there are a host of objects that are not stored in the IASP database, these objects are stored in Sysbas; but are never the less required for a successful switch of users.

ORION manages the replication of non-data objects such as user profiles, configuration files and system objects which can not reside on a common IASP disk. Ensuring all the necessary systems objects are available in the event of any planned or unplanned switched events.

ORION Switched Disk for Windows
ORION SD for Windows provides application availability supporting application server switching between a common disk, in both stand alone Intel Windows and integrated Windows iSeries servers. Through integrated support of Microsoft Cluster Services, Windows servers can perform quick and efficient system switchovers protecting business operations from planned and unplanned situations for consistent Windows application access.

In a stand-alone Intel environment, Windows servers are configured with Windows clustering (MSCS) to share a common switchable SCSI disk supporting application switchovers. This solution ensures high availability of your Windows applications and data.

In an integrated iSeries / Windows environment, applications run on instances of the Windows Operating System supported via Integrated xSeries Servers (IXS) and Integrated xSeries Adapters (IXA). ORION SD for Windows manages the Windows servers in a cluster to provide for application server switching between the Windows servers.

Features, Benefits and Competitve Differentiators
Single Consolidated Interface/Single Point of Operation  - Simplify the solution through a single intuitive interface and single point of operation for configuration and management for all platforms reducing costs of training and system management
Highly Scalable Solutions - Implement the solution required and migrate through solutions eliminating expensive upgrades and training costs with associated downtime. Improves performance, availability and manageability, lowers training and administrative costs
Enterprise Class Functionality - All modular components developed to the highest enterprise standards providing robust data integrity; high transaction performance; enhanced ease of use and best of breed functionality at all solution levels across multiple platforms, applications and databases
Multiple Topology Support - ORION is the first and only solution to support data integration through clustering for IBM OS/400, Windows 2000, Red Hat Linux and SuSE Linux in both stand-alone and integrated environments. Enabling reduced cost through a common infrastructure and single point of operation
Integrated Cluster Services - Seamless integration with OS/400, Microsoft Cluster Services and Linux Clustering for supporting flexibility in deployment and solutions. Provides stand-alone and coordinated switchovers or failovers across all supported platforms

ORION Engine
At the heart of the ORION solution is the ORION Engine, a unique Java/XML application which resides on each server within an ORION solution, providing the common infrastructure and interface for the environment. The Engine functions as a distributed application and is responsible for controlling the clustering functionality, replication, information processing and overall management of an ORION solution across servers and databases from a single point of operation.

Embedded in the ORION Engine is the ORION Navigator the intuitive interface that provides a consolidated view for the entire ORION environment. The Navigator communicates directly with the ORION Engine via XML and provides the management console responsible for monitoring and administrating the replication environment, configuring and managing views of the replicated objects, data links, and system alerts as well as management of operations including system switching.

This single interface enables companies to better leverage IT resources by enabling companies to consolidate training, skill sets and management of availability across OS/400, Windows, and Linux environments. Through the common interface, administrators can manage more with less, allowing them to re-allocate resources, save valuable time and reduce their overall total cost of ownership.

Solution Snapshot
Designed for switched disk environments requiring application availability between servers connected to a common switchable data disk, where only one of the two servers has rights to read/write access to the common data disk.
Key Features include:
• Automated switching
• Non-data replication support (OS/400 only)
• Support for IASP disk switching (iSeries)
• Support for SCSI disk switching (Windows/Linux)
• Single integrated interface to manage multi-platform environments
• Scalable to more complex solutions through plug-in modules

ORION Switched Disk for OS/400
In an OS/400 switched disk environment, a common Independent Auxiliary Storage Pool (IASP) is created and shared between two individual OS/400 iSeries servers, or a single iSeries server that has logical partitioned instances of the OS/400 operating system. Based on OS clustering support, ORION SD for OS/400 provides communication between servers guaranteeing the right OS/400 instance can actively read and write to the common IASP disk, so business continues uninterrupted.

To deliver high availability functionality in a switched disk solution, each server must have identical applications and “state” to switch users from one to another. In most open systems applications, this is typically managed at the database level. In an OS/400 environment however, there are a host of objects that are not stored in the IASP database, these objects are stored in Sysbas; but are never the less required for a successful switch of users.

ORION manages the replication of non-data objects such as user profiles, configuration files and system objects which can not reside on a common IASP disk. Ensuring all the necessary systems objects are available in the event of any planned or unplanned switched events.

ORION Switched Disk for Windows
ORION SD for Windows provides application availability supporting application server switching between a common disk, in both stand alone Intel Windows and integrated Windows iSeries servers. Through integrated support of Microsoft Cluster Services, Windows servers can perform quick and efficient system switchovers protecting business operations from planned and unplanned situations for consistent Windows application access.

In a stand-alone Intel-environment, Windows servers are configured with Windows clustering (MSCS) to share a common switchable SCSI disk supporting application switchovers. This solution ensures high availability of your Windows applications and data.

In an integrated iSeries / Windows environment, applications run on instances of the Windows Operating System supported via Integrated xSeries Servers (IXS) and Integrated xSeries Adapters (IXA). ORION SD for Windows manages the Windows servers in a cluster to provide for application server switching between the Windows servers.

ORION Switched Disk for Linux
Linux offers an attractive alternative and lower cost of ownership that many users are adopting for infrastructure and some critical applications. In this area, the requirement for high availability is more application centric and lends itself to ORION SD for Linux; providing a cost effective solution for maintaining application uptime.

Similar in concept to Windows clustering and supporting both standalone Intel servers or integrated LPARs on IBM iSeries servers, ORION SD for Linux supports the switching of Linux application servers sharing a common disk. Through an ORION clustered heartbeat, ORION will detect a non-reply from a primary server and automate a failover by switching the IP address to the secondary system ensuring consistent application access to the database.
Managing ORION SD for Linux in an Intel environment is very similar to a Windows solution requiring a switchable SCSI disk that is shared between two Intel servers running either SuSE Linux or Red Hat Linux.

ORION SD for Linux in an iSeries environment consists of a simple paired instance of the Linux operating system running in an LPAR partition where information is shared between a common IASP on OS/400. The Linux LPAR can be on the same or on separate iSeries server, so they can be switched through a common IASP in a clustered environment.

Adapt to Change and Never Change the Interface!
Businesses change and so do the requirements driving applications and data management. New competitors, business pressures or operating departments require changing levels of information availability to maintain competitive advantage. The requirement for the business is flexibility…flexibility to adapt to the change without suffering the impact of change…scaling to meet the needs of the business without adding resources, infrastructure, new skills, different interfaces or significant costs.

The answer is ORION, a component based solution that enables companies to modify functionality and service levels by “plugging in” additional components or modules to a common engine enabling ORION to seamlessly scale to meet new requirements while maintaining a common infrastructure and interface.

With ORION in place, administrators easily manage availability of any operating system, database or application with simple point and click commands and procedures, reducing resource and personnel requirements while minimizing training, administration, operating and maintenance. The result, improved availability and competitive advantage with a lower cost of ownership.