ClearCube OptiCom Riga28. May 2005
Markus J. LindlDipl.-Ing.(FH)
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ClearCube Overview
• Founded in 1997
• Based in Austin, TX
• Focused on Evolving the Enterprise Computing Environment
• Developed Over 75 Patented Technologies
• First Business Computers Shipped June 2000
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Traditional desktop PCs dispersed throughout the Enterprise result in:
Peripherals
PC H/W
PC S/W
Server/Network
Centralized
Desk-side
The Desktop Computing Challenge
High Support Costs$3,000--$4,000 per user, annually (large Enterprise)
$6,000 - $9,000 per user, annually (NY banks)
Support costs represent 90% of 4-year total cost
Poor Manageability Moves, adds, changes are expensive and take days
Support/administration headaches
Upgrades/support require physical visits
Low Availability96% uptime (vs. 99.9% + for servers)
4-hour, next-day time to respond
Weak Security and Control1.2% of assets lost annually
Data can be downloaded/stolen
Illegal software can be uploaded
Disaster recovery is difficult
Constrained User ErgonomicsPC takes up valuable space
PC creates heat, noise & needs distributed UPS
Source: IDC
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Would You Switch?
What would you do if you had a full Intel PC solution that:
• Reduced operating costs by more than 30%
• Provided 99.9% availability to the end-user
• Tightened data and hardware security
• Simplified management (e.g., real-time asset tracking, instant moves/adds/changes)
• Decreased the desktop footprint and eliminated heat and noise generated in the work environment
Imagine Something Different
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MILLENIUMMILLENIUMPARTNERSPARTNERS
Hundreds of Companies Have Switched
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$825
$450
Significant Cost Savings and Improved Manageability
Morgan Stanley moves traders 1.5 times per year at a cost $825 per move. ClearCube reduced MAC costs by 45%.
MAC
Dramatic Reduction in Installation Time
Hill Air Force Base deployed 44 ClearCube systems in 22 minutes [vs. 11 hours for traditional PCs].
11 Hr.
22 Min.
Installation
Old PC environmentResult after ClearCube
Enhances Security and 50% IT Headcount Reduction
Patient record security is enhanced by removing the PC from the exam room while the headcount required to manage 14 sites across the city is reduced 50%.
4
2
Headcount
Mission-Critical Uptime
British Petroleum’s gas and electricity trading floors got a high-availability computing architecture to support its global trading activities.
2 hr.
5 Min.
Downtime
ClearCube Proof Points
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Peripherals
PC H/W
PC S/W
Centralize the computing, storage, and networking infrastructure and manage remotely.
Keep only peripherals, like monitor, keyboard and mouse, at the desk.
Current Box PC Environment
Des
kto
pD
ata
Cen
ter
Servers & Network H/W
Peripherals
ClearCube Environment
Servers & Network H/W
PC H/W
PC S/W
The ClearCube Idea – Centralize the PC Infrastructure
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User/Client
IT Manager
PC Blade - A rack-mounted, Intel-based computer that delivers computing to each desktop from a centralized location. Each user connects to a PC Blade with Intel’s latest P4 processors, memory, HD and power supply. The PC Blade can drive single and/or multi-monitors.
Cage - Houses up to eight PC Blades in a 3U high enclosure with integrated switching via the BackPack. Up to 112 PC Blades can be housed in a standard rack.
User Port - A small desktop device connects the keyboard, mouse, video, audio and USB devices on the desktop to the PC Blade via CAT-5 or Fiber network cable.
ClearCube Management Suite - Powerful software that enables complete system management for proactive alerting, hot sparing, and remote control.
The ClearCube Solution
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Travel to Desk
Travel to Desk
Travel from Desk
Travel from Desk
De-install Spare
De-install Spare
Re-Install System
Re-Install System
Configure System
Configure System
Traditional PC
Service Call
Service Call
Travel to Desk
Travel to Desk
Travel from Desk
Travel from Desk
Expedite System to
Repair
Expedite System to
Repair
Perform Diag-nostics
Perform Diag-nostics
De-install System
De-install System
Install Spare Install Spare
Configure Spare
Configure Spare
Real World Example: Comparing a Break/Fix Call
Impacted IT Time
Impacted Customer Time
IT Time: Up to 2 daysCustomer Downtime: 4 hours to Next Business Day
Service Call
Service Call
Perform Diag-nostics
Perform Diag-nostics
Expedite System to
Repair
Expedite System to
RepairClearCube
Switch to Spare
(Remote)
Switch to Spare
(Remote)
Configure Spare
(Remote)
Configure Spare
(Remote)Dispatch
Customer & IT Time: 15 minutes IT fixes when they have time, no customer impact
ClearCube Technology: Hardware
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R Series CPU Blade
P4 (HT) Processor
PC2100 DDR RAM
nVidia Quadro Video Card
With 64MB vRAM
Mass Storage Lockout
(MSL Jumper)
ATA/100 IDE
Hard Driver
120Watt Power Supply
C3 Interface
(aka Interposer)
FRONTBACK
LCD Mgmt Display
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Layer 1: Industry Standard Components
Wintel Components Layer 1:Industry Standard Components
• Dual, Intel Xeon(HT) Processors (2.66GHz, 2.8GHz, or 3.06GHz)
• Intel E7501 Chipset with 533MHz Front Side Bus (FSB)
• NVIDIA Graphics (GeForce or Quadro) with 32 or 64 MB Video Memory
• Dual, Intel 10/100/1000 Ethernet• 512 L2 cache• Dual Channel DDR266 Memory (4
Memory slots)• Dual, Ultra ATA/100 IDE Hard Drive• Windows 2000, XP, Linux server• USB supports CD-ROM or floppy boot
from front panel or C/Port
CPU Blade
Model R2100
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Layer 1: Industry Standard Components
Wintel Components Layer 1:Industry Standard Components
• Intel Pentium 4(HT) Processor, starting at 3.2GHz.
• Intel 865G Chipset, 800MHz Front Side Bus• NVIDIA Graphics (GeForce or Quadro, with 32
or 64 MB Video Memory operating on 8x AGP bus.
• Intel 1000/100/10 Ethernet• 512 L2 cache• Dual Channel DDR400 (PC3200), RAM (Up to
2GB)• Serial ATA/150 Hard Drive• Windows 2000, XP, Linux server• USB (2.0 at front of blade) supports CD-ROM or
floppy boot from front panel or C/Port
CPU Blade
Model 1200
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R Series CPU Blade Front Panel
345
Reset Power
USB
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Layer 2: ClearCube Innovations - Distance
Wintel ComponentsLayer 1:Industry Standard Components
Layer 2:ClearCube Innovations
• 200m (660ft) distance from Blade to Desktop with Copper• Standard Category 5 cable
• 500m (1650ft) distance from Blade to Desktop with Fiber• 62.5µ, dual fiber, MTRJ
connectors• No degradation in performance• Full audio, video and USB• Resolution up to 1600x1200
Distance
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Layer 2: ClearCube Innovations - Density
Wintel Components
Distance
Layer 1:Industry Standard Components
Layer 2:ClearCube Innovations
• Dedicated CPU per user• Industry Standard Rack-mount• 8 CPU Blades per 3U cage • 112 Blades per 7’ (42U) cabinet • Simplified Network Topology• Connections in rear
Density
112 CPU Blades per 42U Rack
8 Blades per Cage
Rear Connections
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R Series Cage
Kensington Lock
Latches
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Layer 2: ClearCube Innovations – C/Port
Wintel Components
Distance Density
Layer 1:Industry Standard Components
Layer 2:ClearCube Innovations
• Universal C/Port- VGA- PS/2- USB- Audio
• Multi-Video eXpander (MVX)- Up to 4 video outputs- Utilizes UCPT for other
connections• Fiber C/Port
• 62.5µ MTRJ• Same ports as C/Port
C/Port
C/Port
MVX Box
Fiber
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Universal C/Port
• Smallest footprint• Impervious to dust, dirt, and
debris• Well suited for office to light-
industrial environments• No fans, moving parts or
cooling required • Standard PC connections:
USB, PS/2, audio, VGA• Available with mounting
bracket
3.2 cm
21 cm
12.7 cm
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Universal C/Port
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Multi-Video Capabilities
• Supports from 1-4 monitors, using either Analog or DVI Connectors
• Provide up to 1280x1024 resolution
• Same resolution on all monitors
• Uses NVIDIA nView software• Deliver to desktops up to 200m
(copper) or 500m (fiber) away• Supports all other R Series
options
nVidia Quadro4 Video Card
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I/Port
• Connects via standard Ethernet – signal operates on IP Network (routable)
• Distance between Desktop and Blade is unlimited
• Multiple I/Ports (up to 4) can access a single blade lowering per seat costs
• I8010 – Secure I/Port• I8800 – Flexible I/Port
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I/Port Overview
Switched or Pt. to
Pt. Ethernet
I/PortNo distance or infrastructure
limitation
IP packets
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I/Port and the C/Port
Network
I/Port
C/Port
KVMU – Cat 5
C/Port Single/Multi-head
KVMU – Cat 5 or FiberPerformance
Mainstream
P4
P4
P4
Network
I/PortsP4
Cost-Sensitive
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I/Port Model I8010 Specifications
• Dimensions: 1.7” x 7.6” x 6.2”• I/O Ports:
• VGA Out• Audio Out• 100 Mb Ethernet• 2 USB Ports for keyboard and mouse only
• Power/Reset Button• Link/Activity LEDs• Universal power input adapter• No moving parts or fans• 0-40 deg. C operating environment• Dedicated RDP engine running on
Blazer OS
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I/Port Model I8800 Specifications
• Dimensions: 1.7” x 7.6” x 6.2”• I/O Ports:
• VGA Out• Audio Out• 100 Mb Ethernet• 4 USB Ports for keyboard, mouse, and
other peripherals
• Power/Reset Button• Link/Activity LEDs• Universal power input adapter• No moving parts or fans• 0-40 deg. C operating environment• Windows XP Embedded OS
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Layer 3: Whole Product Solutions - BackPack
Wintel Components
Distance Density C/Port
Blade Switching BackPack
Layer 1:Industry Standard Components
Layer 2:ClearCube Innovations
Layer 3:Whole Product Solutions
• Direct Connect BackPack• Blade Switching BackPack• Needs no additional rack space
BackPack
Fan Tray
Cage
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BackPack Basic Features
• Direct Connect BackPack• Pass through of signals from Blade to C/Port
• Houses video distance extension technology
• When in a primary Cage, houses the RMC
• Blade Switching BackPack• 8x8 Mode
• Spare Switching Mode (1 Spare Blade connects to n C/Ports)
• Administrator/Supervisor C/Port Mode (1 Admin C/Port connects to n Blades
What do the BackPacks do?
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BackPack Architecture
How do BackPacks work?
Cage
BackPack
Fan Tray
RMC (inside BackPack)
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RMC Basic Features
• Controls all Blade Switching BackPacks in a rack (up to 14 total Cages)
• Collects and reports Cage/Blade/C/Port systems management data (up to 14 total Cages)
What does the Remote Management Card (RMC) do?
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Direct Connect Architecture
How do Direct Connect BackPacks work?
C/Port Connections
Control Connections
Ethernet Connections
Power Connection
LED Indicates whether RMC is installed
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Blade Switching Architecture
How do Blade Switching BackPacks work?
Admin C/Port Admin C/Port ConnectionsConnections
C/Port Connections
Spare Blade Connections
Control Connections
Ethernet Connections
Power Connection
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Daisy Chaining
Admin C/Port Network
Spare Config CablePrimary Cage
(with RMC installed)
Secondary Cage (no RMC
installed)
Secondary Cage (no RMC
installed)
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Blade Switching Capabilities
• Spare Switching
• Move any user to a spare blade in seconds
• Remote Control• Administrator Mode (1xN) –Take control of any Blade• Supervisor Mode – Share the monitor screen with any user
• 8x8 Switching with Switch Manager• Dynamically share computing resources• Dynamically re-allocate computing resources• Configure multiple computers per user
ClearCube Technology: Software
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Layer 3: Whole Product Solutions – Systems Mgmt.
Wintel Components
Distance Density C/Port
Systems Management
Layer 1:Industry Standard Components
Layer 2:ClearCube Innovations
Layer 3:Whole Product Solutions
Blade Switching BackPack
Systems Mgmt. Software and Hardware for:• Extensive Blade and Cage Monitoring• Front Panel LCD and ID control• Mgmt. of Blade Switching• Image Management• Data backup• General Systems Management• Communicates through RMC card &
network
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Software Summary
ClearCubeManagement Suite
Switch Manager
PowerQuest DeployCenter
Move Manager
Blade Manager Blade health and asset monitoring ( Client Manager)
PXE Enabled Image Creation and Distribution ( Deploy Center)
Blade Switching (ClearCube)
Move, Add, and Change Administration (ClearCube)
Data Failover Data & Preferences Backup (ClearCube)
Feature Summary Benefit Attained
Increase client availability to over 99.9%
Eliminate trips to desktop by remotely deploying hard
drive images
Dramatically reduce Move/Add/Change costs
Fix problems before they start with health monitoring
and alerts
Eliminate lost user data and settings
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Switch Manager Overview
Switch Users to Spare Blades in Seconds
• Manage Mode
• Spare Mode
• Remote Control Modes
• 8x8 Mode
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Architecture
How does Switch Manager work?Admin Station Server (s)
Blades/Cages (through RMC network connection)
BrowserSwitch
Manager
Network
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Switch Manager
Logon
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Switch Manager
Manage Mode
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Switch Manager
Spare Mode
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Switch Manager
8x8 Switching Mode
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Switch Manager
Hardware Remote Control
Questions and Answers
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Blade Manager Overview
Basic Systems Management (1:1)
• 1:1 Management for <250 users
• Health: status and alerts
• Inventory: hardware and software
• Basic Admin: power on/off/reboot
• ClearCube features (LCD/MSL)
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Architecture
How does Blade Manager work?
Network
Admin Station
Client Blades
Cage with RMC
Browser
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Data Failover Overview
Backup Blade Data Files and Settings
• Scheduled backup of data files and preferences
• Backup data is stored on unused HD space on other Blades
• Recover user data and preferences when switching to a spare
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Architecture
How does Data Failover work?
NetworkSubnet 1
Peer to peer technology• Blade 1 backs up data to 1-3 other Blades
(replication factor) in the same subnet• Auto discovery and auto-allocation
Blade 1
Blades 4, 7, 8
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Architecture
How does Data Failover work?
Network
Admin Station
Subnet 1
Subnet 2
DR Scenario• Blade 1 backs up data to 1-3 other Blades
(replication factor) in another subnet across geographies
• Administrator assignment versus auto discovery
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Architecture
How does Data Failover work?
Network
Admin Station
Server (Super Peer)
Subnet 1
Subnet 2
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Move Manager Overview
• Scheduled backup of full systems
• Manual or Automated Moves/Adds/ Changes
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PowerQuest DeployCenter Overview
• Create images
• Deploy or Restore images
• Manage Images via PXE Server
• Create images
• Deploy or Restore images
• Manage Images via PXE Server
Create, Deploy and Restore Hard Drive Images
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Architecture
How does DeployCenter work?Admin Station Server (s)
Blades (through Network ports)
BrowserImage
Center, PXE Server, DHCP
Server, Image Server
Network
Service and Support Processes – Site Preparation and Planning
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Areas of Concern Before Installation
• Adequate Floor Space• Concentration of
Power Circuits• Thermal/Cooling
Capabilities• Cabling Concerns• Personnel Availability
and Preparedness• Client Image
Preparation
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Space Requirements
• Floor Space• 2’ x 3’ footprint for Rack
• Accessibility• Front – Blade removal, USB port
use, power/reset buttons• Rear – BackPack removal, cable
connections
• Clean Environment• Not clean-room, but excess dust
can damage components on Blades
• Racks or Cabinets set up prior to ClearCube installation
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Power Requirements
• Current Draw (at 120V)• Peak: 10 Amps per Cage
• Nominal: 4.5-6.5 Amps per Cage
• Circuit Breakers• Recommend one 15A breaker per Cage
• UPS Sizes• Must allow 10A to reach Cage (even
while charging)
• Otherwise, size based on time required
at 6.5A
Rewiring will be required for most large installations
(4 or more Cages)
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Thermal Requirements
• Expected Heat Transfer• Approx. 1800 - 2700 Btu/hr per Cage
• (500 – 800 Watts)
• Ventilation• Rack: 4” of space at rear of rack for proper airflow
• Cabinet: vented front door, fully vented rear door/panel
• Airflow adequate in Data Center, Telecom Closet, etc.
• Be wary of cable bundles blocking airflow
• Air conditioners may be required
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Cabling Requirements
• Standard Category 5 Cable• Homerun configuration• 660 feet or less to the desktop
• Cables organized and not blocking ventilation
• Color coordinated cables: prefer grey for Ethernet and blue for C/Port connections