data center infrastructure

© 2006 EMC Corporation. All rights reserved.

Data Center InfrastructureData Center Infrastructure

Module 1.3

© 2006 EMC Corporation. All rights reserved. Data Center Infrastructure - 2

Data Center Infrastructure

Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

List the five core elements of a Data Center infrastructure.

Describe the role of each element in supporting business activities.

Describe the requirements of storage systems for optimally supporting business activities.

Describe the challenges and activities in managing the storage systems of a data center.


The Core Elements

Applications

Databases – Database Management System (DBMS) and the physical and logical storage of data

Servers/Operating Systems

Networks

Storage Arrays


An Example

Consider an order processing system consisting of:

Application for order entry.

Database Management System (DBMS) to store customer and product information.

Server/Operating System on which the Application and Database programs are run.

Networks that provide– Connectivity between Clients and the Application/Database Server– Connectivity between the Server and the Storage system.

Storage Array.

Local AreaNetwork

Storage Area Network

Storage Array

Client

Server

Application User

InterfaceDatabase


An Example ..Closer Look

A customer order is entered via the Application User Interface on a client.

Local AreaNetwork


Client

Server

Application User

Interface

Storage Array



A customer order is entered via the Application User Interface on a client

The client accesses the Server over a Local Area Network.


Client

ServerStorage Array

Local AreaNetwork



A DBMS uses the operating system on the server to read and write this data to the physical location on a disk.


Client

Server

O/S and DBMS

Storage Array

Local AreaNetwork



A DBMS uses the operating system on the server to read and write this data to the physical location on disk.

A Network provides the communication link between the server and the storage array, and transports the read/write commands and data between the server and the storage array.


Client

ServerStorage Array

Local AreaNetwork



A DBMS uses the operating system on the server to read and write this data to the physical location on disk.

A Network provides the communication link between the client and the server, and transports the read/write commands and data between the server and the storage array.

A storage array receives the read/write commands and data from the server and performs the necessary operations to store the data on the physical disks.


Client

ServerStorage Array

Local AreaNetwork

Database


An Example.. Optimal Order Processing

The Application should be optimized for fast interaction with the DBMS.

The tables in the Database should be constructed with care so that the number of read/write operations can be minimized.

The Server should have sufficient CPU and memory resources to satisfy Application and DBMS needs.

The Networks should provide fast communication between Client and Server, as well as Server and Storage Array.

The Storage Array should service the read/write requests from the Server for optimal performance.


An Example.. A Final Look at Data Access

When the DBMS receives a request from the Application:

It first searches the Server memory. If data is found there, the operation takes, perhaps, a millisecond.

If not, it then uses the Operating System to request the data from the Storage Array.

Dedicated high speed networks transport this request to the Storage Array.

Intelligent Storage Arrays can deliver the requested data within a few milliseconds. They are also typically configured to protect data in the event of drive failures.


Key Requirements of Storage Systems

AvailabilityAvailability

Data IntegrityData Integrity SecuritySecurity

CapacityCapacity

ScalabilityScalability

PerformancePerformance

ManageabilityManageability


Some Constraints to Meeting the Requirements

Constraints include:

Cost

Physical Environment

Maintenance and Support

Compliance – Regulatory & Legal

Hardware and Software infrastructure

Interoperability and Compatibility


Management Activities

Data Center management activities include:

Provisioning/Capacity/Resource Planning

Monitoring

Reporting


Monitoring

Performance

Security

Data Protection

Utilization


Reporting

Utilization

Performance

Internal Chargeback system for cost recovery


Provisioning

Capacity

Security

Performance


Module Summary

Key points covered in this module:

The five core elements of a Data Center Infrastructure.

The role of each element in supporting business activity was explained with an example of an order entry process.

The importance of an Intelligent Storage Array.

Key requirements of storage systems to support business activities as well as some of the constraints.

Management activities in a data center operation with focus on storage systems.


Check Your Knowledge

What are the five core technology elements of the Data Center Infrastructure?

What are the seven requirements of storage technology?

What are the common management activities in a Data Center?

data center infrastructure

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