One of the things we\u2019re learning this decade is that we aren\u2019t at all prepared for the many manmade and environmental disasters that are emerging word wide. It has become very clear that for critical systems that must remain viable during these disasters, DIY (Do It Yourself) just didn\u2019t work. As is often the case, the DIY workarounds weren\u2019t even less expensive. Such efforts don\u2019t usually build on prior experience. As a result, the firm doing the implementation learns on the job, which is arguably the most expensive way to learn about any complex thing you are creating.\u00a0<\/p>\n
IBM just released a comprehensive blog post surrounding its Power platform<\/a> by Tom McPherson (GM for IBM Power) in which he indicated that IBM recognized that the DIY thing just wasn\u2019t working for critical HA\/DR (High Availability\/Disaster Recovery) events. In those cases, you need a more prescriptive and automated solution that works out of the box and can work even if you can\u2019t get staff into the site (thus the need for automation). There is a bit of old IBM in this change, and that is a good thing.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s talk about that this week.<\/p>\n The big problem with High Availability Disaster Recovery systems is that they need to be bulletproof and able to operate for extended periods without human intervention. The last thing you need when you are already dealing with some kind of localized or global disaster (like a pandemic) is to have to go to the office and make a service call or have people on premises that should have been evacuated.\u00a0<\/p>\n You need systems consistent with that old Timex wristwatch slogan: they can \u201ctake a licking and keep on ticking.\u201d These systems will be used to keep the company and government running during a disaster and will be critical to providing the services companies and people need during a disaster.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Many if not most of the existing systems were built from parts by people who wanted to save money and do it themselves. But in most cases, these people are just making assumptions and guesses about what is needed. They don\u2019t have the depth of experience and understanding of a global vendor that has run into problems like this before and can come to the table with compelling solutions from what they learned.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Given IBM\u2019s Mainframe and AS400 background, IBM understands high availability. A few years back there was a site in which constructions workers opened up a wall and found an AS400. It hadn\u2019t been touched in years, but it was still running. These machines had several usability issues when compared to current generation hardware, but one thing they did extremely well was keep running and require lower levels of maintenance than their alternatives.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n IBM is historically expert on what is needed to create a HA\/DR solution that is more purpose built and automated, and the company showcases that experience. IBM knows that the only way to create a true solution in this unique space is to use all the company\u2019s experience from supporting firms, and itself, in disasters to create a solution that could survive those disasters even if people are not coming into work.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n In his recent blog post, Tom McPherson pointed to IBM\u2019s pivot from DIY approaches to the far more reliable, high-performing appliances like plug and play alternatives. By making this move, IBM is showcasing decades of understanding products like this and its unmatched experience in providing related solutions.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n This is why banks favor IBM. Financial institutions can lose millions in mere seconds of downtime. IBM\u2019s reliability is even more critical for infrastructure and communications during disasters and for efforts related to national defense, two areas in which IBM is also well known for providing uniquely robust solutions.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the end, I doubt there is any company (outside of perhaps a specialist in the segment) that would better understand the needs for a HA\/DR solution. As this solution rolls out, I expect the firms that use it will be praised for their prowess while the firms that don\u2019t will be criticized for being down at those critical times.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the things we\u2019re learning this decade is that we aren\u2019t at all prepared for the many manmade and environmental disasters that are emerging word wide. It has become very clear that for critical systems that must remain viable … Continue reading The HA\/DR Problem<\/h2>\n
IBM\u2019s Advantage<\/h2>\n
Wrapping Up:<\/h2>\n
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\nSource: TG Daily – IBM and Why it Was Important to Move From DIY to Prescriptive\/Automated HA\/DR<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"