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Microsoft Windows Server


Since Microsoft Windows Server is a prominent server platform in most IT networks today, integration with Windows is a critical element for effectively managing your data. Consolidating Windows servers onto a SAN is not enough – connectivity, availability, protection, and management must all be considered in order to optimize your Windows environment. EqualLogic is the leading iSCSI SAN for Windows integration and the first to achieve Simple SAN Solution status from Microsoft.

Get the Most out of your Windows Server and Storage Environment

Comprehensive initiator support
EqualLogic arrays are integrated with leading software initiators (including those from Microsoft and emBoot) as well as hardware initiators such as QLogic for all major Windows operating systems including Windows 2003, 2000, and XP. EqualLogic also supports Alacritech TCP/IP offload engines (TOE) which utilize Microsoft’s iSCSI initiator.

MPIO and failover
PS Series arrays support MPIO, failover, and NIC teaming capabilities using Microsoft’s iSCSI driver or QLogic HBAs.

Integrated backup and restore
Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) integration has become the basis for communication between host-based backup functions and storage devices. EqualLogic’s integration with VSS, combined with its broad ecosystem support across all leading backup vendors, enables optimized backup capabilities.

Clustering
EqualLogic’s PS Series are Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS) certified via NAS certification.

Unified management using Storage Manager for SANs
Microsoft’s Storage Manager for SANs is a unified management plug-in to the Microsoft Management Console (MMC). EqualLogic’s integration with the Virtual Disk Service (VDS) API enables unified management of all your storage resources using MMC.
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Optimized performance
When used in conjunction with QLogic HBAs or with standard NICs, EqualLogic PS Series arrays offer unparalleled performance for Windows environments. The PS Series’ automatic load- balancing capability seamlessly spreads data across all active RAID sets, maximizing performance by intelligently optimizing all available network connections, cache, controllers, and drives.

Windows File System Smart Copy with Auto-Snapshot Manager
EqualLogic’s Auto-Snapshot Manager brings automatic load- balancing capability to Windows File Systems. Within an intuitive, simple to use, GUI, administrators can easily make rapid, host-integrated snapshots, clones, and replicas of complete storage recovery groups. In the event that a file system needs to be retrieved from a snapshot, clone or replica, Auto-Snapshot Manager provides fast restore capabilities. Collectively these all-inclusive features enhance an administrator’s ability to protect their file systems and ensure that the applications are available to their users.