Qlogic SANblade QLA2300 Supplementary Manual

Brand: Qlogic

Model: SANblade QLA2300

Type: Supplementary Manual

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C A S E S T U D Y

Dagbladet

Qlogic Steals Headlines with

End-to-end Storage Network

Problem

Slow and decentralised back-up endangered

business continuity

SAN Solution

3 SANbox2 16-port switches

26 SANblade QLA2300 host bus adapters

4 SANblade QLA2310 host bus adapters

Applications

Sun Solaris

Result

A SAN that provides storage on demand to users

•

Dagbladet is the second largest daily newspaper in Norway with a circulation

in excess of 191,000 readers and an increasing product portfolio. As a result,

the existing noncentralised direct-attached storage (DAS) system was unable

to deal with this huge increase in data throughput. The system became

difﬁcult to manage with storage utilisation low and growing storage burdens,

limiting server and back-up performance. Dagbladet introduced a storage area

network (SAN) utilising QLogic SANbox2™-16 port switches and SANblade™

host bus adaptors to offer much needed operational efﬁciency and ﬂexibility.

Prior to the introduction of a SAN, effective back up and restore of critical

data was vulnerable. The existing infrastructure was not keeping pace with

continued growth of data throughput. As the incumbent back-up solution was

not centralised, restoring data was taking long periods of time to execute.

This needed to be addressed, as in the event of a malfunction, Dagbladet’s

business could be dramatically affected.

“Our incumbent solution was becoming very cost ineffective and following the

launch of the online newspaper, security became a major concern,” comments

Asamund Berget, IKT-Manager, Dagbladet. “We realised we needed to have

an infrastructure in place that would allow us to increase our service level in

order to retain our position as a leading player in the market. To continue to

be the ﬁrst to market with new products we need to ensure we have reliable

infrastructure to support our efforts.”

A SAN was deemed the best solution to meet Dagbladet’s needs. Replacing

the DAS infrastructure, the SAN uses a cluster ﬁle system, which incorporates

three QLogic SANbox2 16-port switches. Within the SAN environment sits

the Lotus Notes mail, Internet and editorial system, newspaper distribution

system, online newspaper development server, back-up, ﬁnance system

and one domain controller. All servers are connected with QLogic SANblade

QLA®2300 and QLA2310 HBAs.

“Our new SAN solution provides us with a centralised system that enables us to

restore data in just a couple of minutes as opposed to a couple of days,” com-

ments Asamund Bergot. “The overall result is that we are now able to provide

storage on demand and better serve our customers.”

– Asamund Berget, IKT-Manager

Corporate Headquarters QLogic Corporation 26650 Aliso Viejo Parkway Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 949.389.6000 www.qlogic.com

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C A S E S T U D Y

Dagbladet evaluated solutions from both QLogic and McDATA.

Through IT consulting company Eterra, Dagbladet examined costs

for managing a SAN both internally and through outsourcing. Already

having used Eterra as an IT infrastructure provider in other areas of

the business, Dagbladet felt it would receive a high level of service

due to Eterra’s direct access to QLogic support. The solution proposed

by Eterra was also cost-effective.

The SAN solution has provided Dagbladet with a number of

business beneﬁts:

Streamlines and reduces overheads

Data can be restored quickly and efﬁciently

Ability to increase disk space on demand

Improved security to protect data

Increased service levels both internally and externally

•

“Our new SAN solution provides us with a centralised system that

enables us to restore data in just a couple of minutes as opposed to

a couple of days,” comments Asamund Bergot. “The overall result is

that we are now able to provide storage on demand and better serve

our customers.”

Dagbladet

©2004 QLogic Corporation. All rights reserved. QLogic, Powered by QLogic, QLA and SANbox are registered trademarks of QLogic Corporation. The QLogic logo, the Powered by QLogic logo, SANblade and SANbox2 are trademarks of QLogic Corporation, which

may be registered in some jurisdictions. All other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Information supplied by QLogic Corporation is believed to be accurate and reliable. QLogic Corporation assumes

no responsibility for any errors in this brochure. QLogic Corporation reserves the right, without notice, to make changes in product design or speciﬁcations.

SN0030922-00 rev B 3/04