Lenovo ThinkServer now offering shared DAS clustering

Avago Technologies says that Lenovo has selected the Syncro® storage controller family for shared storage clustering in its latest ThinkServer systems. The Syncro 9286-8e CS adds new levels of value to Lenovo systems by providing RAID protection along with shared storage, while also delivering storage clustering and failover. The Lenovo RAID systems, powered by Syncro storage, provide a robust, easy-to-deploy storage clustering solution optimised for the needs of SMBs.

The Lenovo RAID system with Syncro storage helps protect businesses from data loss and system failure. When business-critical data is not accessible, the results can be lost revenue, lost productivity, and reduced customer satisfaction. Syncro storage controllers are designed to reduce downtime for critical applications, making failover transparent to the application. They also provide robust data protection and high performance in addition to low cost and low complexity. Syncro storage controllers also add additional benefits of shared storage and high availability not associated with DAS only solutions.

“SMBs that face data disruption are heavily impacted by system outages since data is the lifeline between businesses and customers,” said Jas Tremblay, vice president of marketing, Data Center Solutions Group at Avago. “The new Lenovo systems with the Syncro solution deliver enterprise capabilities in data sharing and continuous application uptime that are cost-effective for the SMB market and help ensure uninterrupted productivity.”

Lenovo introduced the ThinkServer with the Syncro storage controller family using Microsoft Windows Server 2012. Support for the Linux operating system is coming in the near future. The complete solution is configured and managed simply through the operating system, eliminating the need for additional software packages.

“Lenovo customers face the same challenges managing costs, as IT departments work in an era where they are expected to do more with fewer resources,” said Darrel Ward, vice president and general manager, Lenovo Enterprise Business Group. “Lenovo RAID powered by the Syncro solution helps IT departments do just that, and provides much of the functionality one could find in an enterprise SAN, while eliminating the complexity and management required.”

Built on MegaRAID® technology, the Syncro family uses two controller cards to allow system administrators to build a high-availability, shared DAS solution. The Syncro CS 9286-8e can provide shared storage clustering using two Lenovo volume servers and JBOD. This affordable high-availability solution brings shared storage and controller failover to DAS environments.