Ahead of a new Java interface for managing all storage across Unix and NT networks due later this quarter, Veritas Software Corp is introducing a module providing peer-to-peer data replication between storage devices over a network for restoration in the event of failure. Although it will theoretically support multiple file systems, the Veritas Storage Replicator for File Systems works best with the company’s own journaling file system and volume manager products. Initially available for Solaris, it’s said to provide all servers sharing a file system the same view of the file system at all times. Lost data at one site can be retrieved from another and the module will continue to update all available servers if one or more goes down. Data is automatically restored to a server when it comes back on line. On top of the Veritas Volume Manager it provides asynchronous and synchronous replication – with IBC in-band checking for data integrity – and is expected to be used at large web-based database sites. It offers greater functionality than the kind of replication services offered within Oracle or Sybase, Veritas claims. The replicator will work in conjunction with whatever replication services the user has and is claimed to work at a higher level than other Unix utilities. When used with Veritas File System it delivers synchronous replication. The replicator costs $45,000 per node. Veritas says it can support 32 nodes where other peer-to-peer environments can only accommodate two nodes. Other disaster recovery facilities are expected to follow and Veritas also plans application-specific and vertical industry packages of the replication software including an SAP R/3 edition. HP-UX and NT implementations will follow later this year.
Big Brother
The Mountain View, California-based company – which says it’s now digested its $400m 1997 OpenVision Inc acquisition – has also enhanced its File System to support files sizes greater than 2Gb with release 3.2.2. Additionally the PCI-compliant Volume Manager for Solaris 2.5.2 now utilizes two paths between a server and storage. The company is re-writing Volume Manager’s interface in Java – with a Microsoft IE interface. Veritas is readying a new Storage Optimizer module for next quarter which will monitor disk usage and storage when used with Volume Manager. It’s just one of the high-level management programs that will be introduced for use in conjunction with the new Storage Manager interface into which all of Veritas’ products will plug. Optimizer – formerly known as Advisor – will offer guidance on storage layout for optimizing performance and reliability while a Storage Planner program will be used to predict future storage using data from the Storage Manager. The Java-based Storage Manager can be used as a standalone application or browser plug-in, and will handle system-wide storage configuration analysis. Described as a big brother for Volume Manager, Veritas will make the Storage Manager APIs available to ISVs. Veritas has Sun bundling and reselling File System and Volume manager and HP bundling the work, while Volume Manager is being bundled with NT 5.0 for disk and storage management as LDM. Veritas’ three top revenue earners are Volume Manager, NetBackup and the high-availability products. It has appointed an SVP OEM and merger and acquisitions who’ll be looking for opportunities for Veritas to spend the $100m it raised in a bond offering last year (CI No 3,264).
