Tokyo, February 25, 2011
Fujitsu and Kanto Gakuin University today announced the joint-development and operational launch of the university's new OliveNet virtual mission-critical server system.
The new system, which employs PRIMERGY BX920 blade servers and virtualization technology, delivers a virtualized environment featuring superior energy conservation and operability, while also reducing the number of 53 servers that previously managed each department's education/research and business systems to 34 in total. This, in turn, has enabled Kanto Gakuin University to perform unified management of its on-campus ICT infrastructure. As a result, the university will be able to efficiently utilize server resources and perform system maintenance. To strengthen business continuity in the event of downtime or disasters, the new system incorporates enhanced stability features such as server redundancy and disaster recovery through a redundant configuration that is distributed across multiple buildings.
In terms of energy saving, when combined with the university's upgrade to Fujitsu's all-in-one desktop PCs with built-in LCD screens, the new system deployment is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 474 tons (equivalent to the absorption of 33,856 cedar trees) and reduce electricity costs by 13.35 million yen(1) within four years.
In order to clearly identify the system deployment and operation management costs, as well as further reduce the university's expenses, Kanto Gakuin University plans to explore the possibility of building an on-campus private cloud based on the new system during the next four years.
Background
Kanto Gakuin University's ICT systems can be classified into three major categories: (1) systems for education and research, such as PC classrooms and e-Learning systems; (2) business systems, including those used in academic affairs, entrance examinations, employment assistance, human resources and payroll, a well as tuition billing; (3) and the school's library system. As each department using these systems administers and operates its own servers and applications, it was previously impossible to monitor the university's entire on-campus ICT infrastructure. Routine inspections and troubleshooting were deemed inefficient, posting a significant challenge. After considering how it could lower operating costs, Kanto Gakuin University decided to begin maintaining and administering its on-campus ICT infrastructure from its Computer Center. Since 2009, the university has been exploring server consolidation as a way to make this possible.
Fujitsu and Kanto Gakuin University jointly developed the OliveNet virtual mission-critical server system, and by using server virtualization, reduced the number of servers employed in the university's systems for education and research, business systems and library system from 53 to 34(2).
The new system is composed of 30 highly energy-efficient Fujitsu PRIMERGY BX920 blade servers, 4 PRIMERGY RX300 rack-mount servers, and VMware vSphere4 virtualization software, delivering a virtualized environment that features superior performance, availability, and operability. To strengthen business continuity when server downtime or disasters occur, the system is divided into three service levels based on each service's uptime, allowed downtime, and data backup frequency. In accordance with this system structure, by enabling server redundancy and disaster recovery through a redundant configuration that is distributed across multiple buildings, the new system delivers enhanced stability.
With the new system, Kanto Gakuin University's Computer Center can perform integrated management of the school's ICT infrastructure, enabling the more efficient use of server resources, the upgrading of the school's servers and applications, and more efficient system maintenance which includes a reduction in the work required for routine inspections. As the system is configured with built-in redundancy for servers that are distributed across multiple buildings, it is possible to perform maintenance during the day. In conjunction with the deployment of the new system, the school has upgraded the PCs used by its administrative staff to 500 ESPRIMO K550/A all-in-one desktop PCs with built-in LCD screens, thereby conserving space while raising administrative efficiency through higher-performance PCs.
In terms of energy saving, the deployment of the new system and the all-in-one LCD desktop PCs is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 474 tons (equivalent to the absorption of 33,856 cedar trees) and reduce electricity costs by 13.35 million yen within four years.
While continuing to consolidate other systems within the school onto the new system, Kanto Gakuin University plans to clearly identify the systems operations costs for each department and will consider creating a private cloud for the school based on the new system over the course of the next four years. Such a move would enable the school to utilize a metered payment system based on server usage and respond quickly to the need for additional server capacity.
Through its support for the new OliveNet virtual mission-critical server system, Fujitsu will continue to help meet the needs of Kanto Gakuin University.
Configuration of the OliveNet Virtual Mission-Critical Server System
Highly energy-efficient virtualized environment using platform products with superior performance, availability, and operability:
- 30 PRIMERGY BX920 blade servers
- 4 PRIMERGY RX300 rack-mount servers
- 1 EMC CLARiX CX4-480 storage system
- VMware vSphere 4 Advanced software
- 550 ESPRIMO K550/A all-in-one LCD desktop PCs
