Sanbolic Clustering Software for SQL Server

Sanbolic, Inc.‘s AppCluster advanced clustering software for Microsoft SQL Server is now generally available.

AppCluster is installed together with Sanbolic’s Melio clustered file system and LaScala clustered volume manager, and allows users to deploy large, flexible active-active clusters of SQL Server.

AppCluster utilizes Melio file system’s ability to provide concurrent shared access to a SAN storage volume from multiple database servers, and removes the limitations introduced by Windows Failover Clusters when using SQL Server in a SAN. LaScala enables high performance volumes that span multiple storage LUNs, and supports dynamic volume expansion. Mirroring will be available in Q4. Sanbolic’s software can be used with any industry standard SAN hardware.

Customers can download the evaluation software on Sanbolic’s web site.

AppCluster allows users to easily deploy high performance SQL clusters on physical or virtual servers, and allows databases to be quickly migrated between SAN instances for load balancing or failover. AppCluster is a .Net service that works in conjunction with SQL Management Studio. Because AppCluster utilizes Melio clustered file system to provide active-active access to a shared SAN volume, much of the complexity and dependencies of clustering is eliminated.

AppCluster has the ability to automatically balance SQL databases across the cluster, and can provision based on server weight. It integrates with Melio FS Quality of Service, so essential databases can be given priority access to storage bandwidth to optimize performance.

AppCluster can be installed using any industry standard servers or virtual instances running SQL together with any industry standard SAN storage. Sanbolic software currently supports Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2. Sanbolic distributes its product solutions worldwide through a network of distributors, OEMs, VARs and system integrators.