1.1 Overview

The following sections contain information to introduce you to PlateSpin Forge:

1.1.1 What Is PlateSpin Forge?

PlateSpin Forge is a consolidated recovery hardware appliance that protects both physical and virtual server workloads by using embedded virtualization technology. If there is a production server outage or disaster, workloads can be rapidly powered on within the PlateSpin Forge recovery environment and continue to run as normal until the production environment is restored.

PlateSpin Forge 2.5 uses its functional components to:

  • Protect from 10 to 25 workloads, depending on which model is installed

  • Perform protection testing without interfering with the production environment

  • Provide quick disaster recovery, including restoration to different hardware

  • Take advantage of existing external storage solutions, such as SANs.

Four different models are available in various configurations. Most of the models ship with prepackaged storage, and all models ship with consolidated recovery software and virtualization technology that is ready to go out-of-the-box. With internal, prepackaged storage, Forge has a total storage capacity of 2.5 terabytes, although the capacity is almost unlimited when external storage configurations are used by adding iSCSI or Fibre Channel cards. The built-in management console provides support for an unlimited number of Forge appliances.

1.1.2 Key Product Features

PlateSpin Forge includes these core features:

  • Whole Workload Replication

  • Block-level and Snapshot Replication

  • Rapid One-click Failover

  • Failback Flexibility

  • Events, Tasks, and Actionable Alerts

  • Protection Tiers

  • Workload Protection Metrics

  • Centralized Management Console

  • Plug In and Protect Workloads

  • Simple Web-Based Management

  • Easy Test Failover

  • Failover Preparation

  • Remote Control

1.1.3 New in This Release

Some of the new features in PlateSpin Forge 2.5 include:

  • Windows Server 2008 & Windows Vista support

    • Live file-based replication support (VSS-aware)

    • Live block-based replication support (VSS-aware)

  • Improved Block-Based Transfers

    • Faster, more robust block-based transfer protocol. Up to 50% faster than previous versions.

    • Now available for 64-bit workloads.

  • Server Sync Block-Based Transfers

    • Server Sync now has option of file-based or block-based transfers.

  • Physical Machine Server Sync

    • Adds support for Server Sync to physical server targets for faster failback scenarios.

  • 24 hour+ replications

    • Supports block-based replications lasting longer than 24 hours, for customers with extremely large workloads or slow WAN connections.

  • User Interface Enhancements

    • Integrated failback process: failover from down production server to PlateSpin Forge, then failback to repaired or replaced production server entirely within PlateSpin Forge interface.

    • Integrated License Release: Change protected workloads entirely within PlateSpin Forge interface.

  • Role-Based Access and Multi-Tenancy

    • Delegated control through user (workload) groups enables hosting of multiple customers on a single PlateSpin Forge appliance.

  • Appliance Portability

    • Allows network changes to existing protection contracts.

    • Enables appliance to be moved within or between networks (e.g., from test to production site).

1.1.4 Platform Support

Forge currently supports these 32-bit and 64-bit Windows systems:

Table 1-1 Supported Windows Systems

Operating System

32- bit

64-bit

Windows 2000 Server SP4

X

Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP4

X

Windows 2000 Professional SP4

X

 

Windows Server* 2003

X

X

Windows Server 2003 R2

X

X

Windows XP Professional SP2

X

X

Windows Server 2008

X

X

1.1.5 Browser Support

Forge currently supports these Windows-based browsers:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 7

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 (compatibility mode)

  • Mozilla Firefox 2.x, 3.x