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Nimble Storage to Enable More Efficient Private Cloud Deployments With Pre-Validated Architecture Based on Windows Server and System Center
[April 17, 2013]

Nimble Storage to Enable More Efficient Private Cloud Deployments With Pre-Validated Architecture Based on Windows Server and System Center


(Marketwire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) SAN JOSE, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 04/17/13 -- Nimble Storage, a leading provider of flash-optimized hybrid storage solutions, today announced a new, validated reference architecture for private cloud deployments on Microsoft® Corp.'s technology. The highly available, high-performance Microsoft Fast Track virtualization reference architecture was validated to support up to 75 virtual machines (VMs). The Nimble Storage SmartStack for Microsoft Windows Server and System Center reference architecture consists of a three-rack unit (3U) Nimble Storage CS200 Series, the Cisco UCS® C-Series rack-mount server platform, Microsoft Windows Server 2012 with Hyper-V, and Microsoft System Center 2012.



The Microsoft private cloud Fast Track is a reference architecture for building private clouds. It combines Microsoft software, consolidated guidance and validated configurations with computing, network and storage architecture partners. It utilizes the core capabilities of the Windows Server 2012 operating system and Hyper-V technology to deliver the building blocks of a private cloud infrastructure.

Highlights of the Reference Architecture The flash-optimized hybrid Nimble Storage CS-Series-based reference architecture leveraging the Cisco UCS C-Series rack-mount server platform has been validated in a Microsoft private cloud Fast Track reference architecture for 75 virtual machines -- speeding up deployments, and with lower project risk, while improving responsiveness of critical applications. The efficient CS-Series allows consolidation of storage for multiple different applications virtualized by Windows Server Hyper-V technology on a single 3U array, reducing power, cooling and space by as much as 75 percent compared with the requirements of legacy storage platforms. Nimble Storage's scale-to-fit functionality matches and scales to the flexibility of the Microsoft Windows Server 2012 with Hyper-V and Cisco UCS platforms, allowing non-disruptive and independent scaling of performance and capacity. The resiliency and integrated data protection features of the CS-Series complement the high availability and live migration features of Windows Server 2012's Failover Clustering capabilities -- delivering a high degree of system availability. Nimble Storage's intuitive management tools and proactive wellness support offerings reduce time spent on management duties, improving IT productivity without impacting service levels.Configuration For deployments requiring up to 75 Windows Server Hyper-V virtual machines in a highly available environment: Storage Nimble Storage CS-200 Series Compute Two Cisco UCS C220 M3 Rack Servers (minimum) -- this architecture can scale up to four servers Two Cisco UCS fabric extenders and Cisco UCS fabric interconnectsMicrosoft Windows Server 2012 with Hyper-V Windows Server 2012 Failover ClusteringQuotes Claude Lorenson, Director of Product Management, Microsoft"Microsoft's vision of the Cloud OS gives customers groundbreaking technology to deploy cloud infrastructure using Windows Server 2012, System Center 2012 and SQL Server 2012. The Microsoft private cloud Fast Track reference architecture with Nimble Storage gives IT a pretested and validated approach to deploying their optimized datacenter. The architecture of the Nimble Storage CS-Series complements the rich functionality built into Windows Server 2012 and Hyper-V." Brian Jang, Director of Sales and Business Development, ZAG Technical Services"The Nimble Storage SmartStack for Private Cloud with Cisco, validated by the Microsoft private cloud Fast Track program using Windows Server Hyper-V technology, is an ideal fit for our customers. This end-to-end solution using best-of-breed servers, storage and software is a great way for us to meet our customers' dynamic business and technical requirements. Our customers have benefited from lower costs, great flexibility to accommodate change, and higher IT productivity." Brenda Thrasher, Director of IT, Intevac"The combination of Nimble Storage, Windows Server Hyper-V and ZAG Technical Services has helped us make the transition to a flexible virtual environment. With this solution, we've been able to enhance our end-users' experience with faster application response and improve IT productivity with simple management and data protection. ZAG Technical Services was able to guide us through the process from start to finish, resulting in the project being deployed as planned." Radhika Krishnan, Director of Marketing, Nimble Storage"The Nimble Storage SmartStack for Windows Server and Hyper-V with Cisco and Microsoft is a great way for IT organizations to make the move to a virtual datacenter while gaining greater flexibility and lowering costs. We are excited to work with Microsoft to bring this pre-validated reference architecture leveraging Cisco UCS through our joint channel resellers." Resources Solution page: Nimble Storage SmartStack for Windows Server with Microsoft and Cisco Technical Report: Deploying Windows Server 2012 with Hyper-V with Cisco UCS and Nimble Storage Nimble Storage Customer Stories Follow Nimble Storage on Twitter Join the Nimble Storage Group on LinkedIn View Nimble Storage videos on YouTube Visit Nimble Storage on Facebook About Nimble Storage Nimble Storage believes enterprises should not have to compromise on performance, capacity, ease of use, or price. Nimble has developed the first hybrid storage architecture engineered from the ground up to seamlessly integrate flash and high-capacity drives. Our customers enjoy as much as 10x faster application performance, enhanced backup and disaster recovery, and stress-free operations -- all while lowering their TCO. Nimble Storage solutions are available through a global network of world-class channel partners. For more information, visit www.nimblestorage.com and follow us on Twitter: @nimblestorage.


©Nimble Storage, SmartStack and CASL are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nimble Storage. Other trade names or words used in this document are the properties of their respective owners.

Media Contact: Gary Good Trainer Communications Email Contact 707-837-1718 Source: Nimble Storage

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