StarWind Converts Windows Servers Into Shared Storage

StarWind Software, Inc., in storage virtualization and iSCSI storage software for SMBs, is announcing compatibility for SQL Server 2008 Failover Clustering for High Availability deployments. StarWind converts Windows servers into shared storage for deploying SQL Server clusters, making it an ideal solution for highly available database applications for SMBs.

StarWind enables customers to convert Windows Server 2003 or 2008 into an advanced, enterprise-class SAN for SQL Server and vastly improve database protection with Mirroring & Replication, CDP & Snapshots and Thin Provisioning. A technical white paper titled Using StarWind with MS Cluster on Windows Server 2008 is available for download on the StarWind Software website.

"StarWind enables SQL Server clustering by converting any Windows server into shared storage," said Ross Mistry, Microsoft MVP and Author of the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Management and Administration book. "They offer a truly affordable storage solution to deploy a cost effective SQL Server 2008 failover cluster. It is easy to set up and manage, and is an excellent choice for IT departments at small and midsize businesses that are trying to do more with less."

Key Features of StarWind Enterprise Server include:

• Reliability, scalability and transactional integrity for SQL Server
• SQL Server clustering for high-availability of databases
• Mirroring and Replication across a campus or a WAN
• Live, point-in-time snapshots of the database
• VSS Support

Many SQL Server DBAs and developers can own and use the new StarWind Free version at no charge which offers a large 2 TB capacity, support for server clusters and unlimited number of concurrent iSCSI connections. IP SAN for Microsoft SQL Server datasheet is available on the website.