NetApp Releases NetApp Connect



NetApp today released "NetApp Connect 4.0", a rebranded and updated product from the acquisition of ionGrid. This mobile information management (MIM) software allows enterprise users to access files from Microsoft SharePoint 2013, 2010, or 2007 and CIFS file shares using Apple iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, etc.) -- without migrating those files to a public cloud provider or using VPN software.

When a user starts the app on their mobile device, the app connects to a messaging broker and begins communicating with the NetApp Connect server. The server analyzes information such as file formats, policies governing user's file access, and rules governing the processing of different types of files. The server then serves file information back to the mobile app, generates thumbnails for files on the mobile app, and renders the images or pages of the file.

NetApp Connect can scale from a single machine servicing a small user population to a large, multiserver installation with thousands of concurrent users. It can be deployed differently, depending on performance goals, flexibility goals, and different data pathways.

The NetApp Connect server consists of several software components that are standalone Java or Erlang applications, which can be deployed on a single virtual machine or physical server running Windows Server 2008 R2 with the latest service pack. The NetApp Connect server installation wizard provides these components:

Apache Tomcat

Apache Tomcat is an enterprise Java application container used to host two components: the Administrative Dashboard and the Application Boot Manager. Both applications are deployed as web application resource (WAR) files. While the Administrative Dashboard can be hosted in a central Tomcat installation, the ABM and thus Tomcat must run on each node in the system. Neither component relies on proprietary Tomcat extensions, so they can run under other application containers. Only Tomcat 6.0.33 has been tested, and it is included in the installation.

Erlang

Erlang is a programming language typically used to develop highly scalable and reliable distributed applications. RabbitMQ is written in Erlang, so Erlang is required on each node. Erlang R15B03 is included in the installation.

Java Runtime Environment (JRE)

The JRE v6 or later must be installed on every node in the system. It is included with the installation.

Microsoft .NET

The server that hosts the Asset Operator requires Microsoft .NET v3.5, which is included in the installation.

Microsoft Office

The server that hosts the Asset Operator requires Microsoft Office Professional.

PostgreSQL or Microsoft SQL Server

PostgreSQL stores two data collections: system configuration information and per-document information. NetApp Connect uses PostgreSQL for data storage and can work either in a local installation or on a remote server in a shared infrastructure. NetApp Connect provides the PostgreSQL JDBC driver as part of its installation package. NetApp Connect has been tested using PostgreSQL 9.0.x and 9.1.x.  Alternately, NetApp Connect works with Microsoft SQL Server. If you use Microsoft SQL Server, you do not need PostgreSQL.

RabbitMQ

RabbitMQ is the Advanced Message Queuing Protocol (AMQP) message broker that enables all nodes within the system to communicate. It is required on every node. RabbitMQ Server v3.0.2 is included in the installation.

NetApp Connect also requires an LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) connection, which will typically be Microsoft Active Directory. NetApp notes that the generic LDAP authenticator might not work in all Active Directory configurations, where multiple domains are used with local domain groups.

NetApp Connect is available to quote and order today.

NetApp Reveals OpenStack Prototype

NetApp this week announced its new file share service prototype for OpenStack’s Cinder project. Its goal is to extend access to applications written for file-based storage without the need for a separate management interface. This is implemented by abstracting the file system type, to address a broad number of shared or distributed file systems (such as CIFS, NFS, Gluster, Ceph, etc.).

But the larger question is: "Why NetApp with OpenStack?" It really comes down to three reasons: 1.) Agile Data Infrastructure, 2.) Proven Storage Management, and 3.) Open-Source Leadership.

First, NetApp addresses all storage requirements -- block, file, and object storage -- with both Data ONTAP and E-Series solutions. Second, NetApp understands that in order for enterprises to adopt Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), non-disruptive operations and integrated data protection capabilities are requirements. Finally, NetApp is committed to the open-source community and supports this belief by actively collaborating and even taking the leading role in the development of open-source initiatives (such as FreeBSD, Linux, NFS, RDMA, and OpenStack).
 

In fact, NetApp has a rich history of OpenStack participation (dating back to April 2011):

For more information about OpenStack activities by NetApp, visit the NetApp Community Site.

NetApp Releases OnCommand Insight 6.4

NetApp today released OnCommand Insight 6.4, introducing support for Clustered ONTAP, extending heterogeneous device support, improving product usability and maintainability, and incorporating bug fixes.

OnCommand Insight (formally known as "SANscreen") helps you optimize the infrastructure you already have for maximum benefit while simplifying the process of determining what and when to buy for data storage.

Unlike traditional Storage Resource Management applications which are device-centric, OnCommand Insight provides a service view into the storage device’s access paths, redundancy, replication, and performance.

Some of the highlights of this latest 6.4 release include:

• See end-to-end configuration, performance, and space for Clustered ONTAP
• New support for data sources including NPV switches, EMC Atmos, and Fujitsu
• Search your environment to locate devices quickly
• Reclaim resources and provide greater inventory visibility through the new volume capacity datamart
• View a summary of storage service performance data and analyze the impact of performance issues
• View NPV switch topology, configuration, and connectivity
• Gain improved product maintainability with automated:
• Software upgrade for 6.3 versions
• Disk model updates
• Backup of daily and weekly reporting configuration and customer reports
• Suppress violations and alerts during host reboot operations to improve violation management
• Manage switch performance with the new switch performance datamart to:
• Show the traffic generated on a switch port for a host or application
• Manage planning and accountability
• Support automatic identification of tape devices
• Configure, monitor, and report on storage based on service level
• Support Windows Server 64-bit systems while dropping 32-bit support

OnCommand Insight 6.4 is now available from the NetApp Support Site.