Using virtualization technologies to provide seamless integration between multiple data centres.
The Challenge:
To use virtualization technologies to provide seamless integration between multiple data centres.
Cybera’s Solution:
In December 2008, Cybera partnered with DataGardens to investigate the use of virtual network tools. This involved consolidating Cybera’s various internal IT systems into a streamlined virtual architecture, also known as a Wide Area Virtual Enterprise (WAVE). A WAVE was built using DataGardens’ flagship product, Syntropy, which is software that extends conventional virtualization services, such as virtual machine migration and virtual machine provisioning, so they can be leveraged across separate data centre environments or distributed sites.
In April 2009, using a $50,000 Alberta Innovation Voucher, DataGardens again partnered with Cybera to carry out Quality Assurance testing for the commercial release of its Syntropy software. Formal Quality Assurance testing procedures were developed and the first version of the WAVE software was released. The eight-month project, which will be complete in December 2009, is worth a total of $67,667. June 2009 brought yet another collaboration opportunity for Cybera and DataGardens, this time as part of the Precarn Multi-site Adaptive Virtualized Information System (MAVIS) project. The MAVIS project, led by DataGardens, is investigating further development of the WAVE software, specifically network use optimization. A portion of the funding for this project was secured through a $600,000 grant from Precarn, a not-for-profit company that supports the pre-commercial development of leading-edge technologies. This project should be complete in March 2010.
Cyberinfrastructure at Work:
The DataGardens Virtualization project demonstrates the following cyberinfrastructure innovations:
- CyberaNet used as a testbed environment to develop and trial the WAVE
- Virtualization tools to support and manage the data centre environment
- Customized middleware to implement optimization and load-balancing techniques
How this Project Affects You:
The evolving needs of multi-office companies were the source of inspiration for these DataGardens projects. In order to compete in the global economy, companies have begun distributing their staff and office space more broadly. This requires new approaches to handling the provisioning, synchronization, and management of various IT resources across multiple sites.
Investment:
The ongoing collaborative projects based on DataGardens technology have a combined value of over $2 million with contributions from Precarn, DataGardens, Cybera, the University of Alberta, and the Government of Alberta.
Partners:
- Advanced Education and Technology, Government of Alberta
- Cybera
- DataGardens Department of Computing Science, University of Alberta
- Precarn
