Microsoft Hyper-V R2 and Dell EqualLogic: The perfect virtualisation marriage?

The much anticipated Hyper-V in Windows Server 2008 R2 release is finally here.
Dubbed as the ‘FREE’ add on for Windows Server 2008 users, the new R2 release offers new scope and new possibilities. However it is the prospect of a marriage to Dell EqualLogic storage arrays which is causing quite a stir, even in today’s rapidly maturing server virtualisation market.

For organisations that rely on Microsoft to deliver their critical business applications (SQL Server, Exchange etc), this new platform will be of specific interest. The process of deploying critical Microsoft applications in Windows Server 2008 R2 via Hyper-V and EqualLogic will be demonstrated for the first time in the UK at Storage Expo 2009. This represents another first for Storage Expo, the UK’s only data storage and information management exhibition.

Storage Expo 2009 demonstrations have been entrusted to ADA Technology Services, a Microsoft Gold Partner and the leading EqualLogic Partner in the UK. ADA will be hosting live and interactive sessions on both days of the Expo (15.20 on Weds 14 Oct & 11.15 on Thurs 15 Oct). Both demonstrations will take place at the Microsoft Pavilion on Stand 550D. The only virtualisation solutions provider to be demonstrating this unique partnership at the Expo, demand for both sessions is expected to be high. Arrive early.

For many the Dell EqualLogic iSCSI based route to virtualisation has offered the best balance of performance, cost of ownership, scalability and reliability. The all important ‘R2’ moniker promises Dell EqualLogic users a credible x86 route to server virtualisation with increased virtualised data centre availability plus improved virtual networking performance and hardware support. Furthermore, R2 delivers a simplified method for physical and virtual computer deployments by using .vhd files.

Commenting on the announcement, Lee Ganly, CIO of ADA Technology Services said “The latest R2 version of Hyper-V has never been deployed on an EqualLogic platform in the UK before. Storage-Expo was the obvious event to demonstrate this new solution and I’m delighted that ADA was chosen by both Dell and Microsoft to make this a possibility”.

Ganly went on to say “Hyper-V is essentially a free product that is both powerful and versatile. Anyone interested in data protection capabilities around application consistent snapshotting of SQL, Exchange and Hyper-V should attend one of our interactive sessions. I guarantee that they will learn something new”.

ADA has built a formidable reputation for delivering cloud based PaaS (Platform as a Service) solutions using Dell EqualLogic. By providing replication targets for customer critical data, EqualLogic provides application consistent snapshots to hosted customer environments, improving recovery and mitigating the risk of version upgrades and patching.

Visit ADA on stand 550D to learn more about the R2 Microsoft Hyper-V and Dell EqualLogic partnership and you could win a range of ADA sponsored prizes, from Dell notebooks to a free virtualisation assessment worth £3,000.

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For more information
Andrew Hayward M +44 (0)7792 164 077
Head of Marketing E ahayward {at} ada.co(.)uk
ADA Technology Services W www.ada.co.uk

About ADA
ADA Technology Services specialises in assisting organisations who are considering virtualisation for the first time. A vendor independent virtualisation specialist, ADA works closely with Citrix, Microsoft, VMware, Dell EqualLogic and HP / LeftHand. With a focus on reducing both expenditure and risk, ADA ensures each solution fits the exacting needs of each customer.

About Dell EqualLogic
Dell EqualLogic iSCSI storage area networks deliver the benefits of consolidated networked storage via one self-managing, affordable and easy to use solution. Fully inclusive licensing ensures users have access to advanced features from the outset and that costs remain predictable throughout the lifecycle of the appliance.

About Microsoft Hyper-V
Hyper-V, Microsoft’s hypervisor-based server virtualization technology, allows organisations to take advantage of the cost savings of virtualisation through Windows Server 2008 R2. By consolidating multiple server roles as separate virtual machines (VMs) running on a single physical machine, Hyper-V enables organisations to make the best use of their server hardware investments.

About Storage Expo

Storage Expo 14th – 15th October, Olympia, London, is the UK’s definitive event for data storage, information and content management and provides visitors with the opportunity to compare the most comprehensive range of solutions and services from all the leading suppliers. The unrivalled education programme will also enable you to learn how to address today’s key issues with expert advice from a wide range of industry experts and peers.

With the sheer rate of data growth, organisations increasingly have to look at not only how they store data, but also how they manage and protect all kinds of information, from its creation, through to archiving and final destruction. Visiting Storage Expo will help you discover the most effective tools and methods to meet your storage, information and content management needs.

For further information, please visit www.storage-expo.com