Microsoft Corp. and Nortel Networks today announced they have jointly developed an integrated data center solution designed for service providers. The Continuously Available Managed Services solution is designed to connect geographically distributed data centers to reduce or eliminate single points of failure, providing continuous availability of hosted software services.
According to the companies, the solution combines Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 2000-based servers, Microsoft .NET Enterprise Servers and Microsoft solution-based Web services with Nortel Networks optical, content networking and intelligent IP (Internet Protocol) solutions to help maximize availability of mission-critical applications.
The Continuously Available Managed Services solution, the companies claim, is pre-integrated and pre-tested to accelerate deployment, enabling service providers to increase revenue opportunities by delivering network services faster and at a reduced cost. Furthermore, for those wishing to offer software as a service, the Continuously Available Managed Services solution is designed to help service providers to extend the range of services they offer existing clients, or to offer mission-critical applications to a range of new customers.
The solution supports Microsoft Exchange Server 2000, Commerce Server 2000, BizTalk(TM) Server and SQL Server(TM) 2000 as managed services, and uses Nortel Networks OPTera, Alteon and Passport products. It also utilizes the EMC information storage systems and software and the Compaq ProLiant server product line. General availability is scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year.