Versant toughens up on NT: Server clustering capability seen as a help for new competitors' object databases

To bring increased robustness to its object database management software on the increasingly popular Microsoft NT platform, Versant Object Technology has announced that the new version of its ODBMS includes support for Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS).

The cluster server is a multiserver system that provides transparent failover capabilities for high-availability applications built on Versant's ODBMS. With this system, carriers could easily migrate from a stand-alone Windows NT server to an MSCS with no modifications, Versant officials said.

"While our products have been most identified with [Telecommunications Management Network] stacks, we're finding that they are being moved by our customers into things like local number portability, customer care and other services," said Ronald Kopeck, vice president of marketing at the Fremont, Calif.-based Versant. "Since many carriers need to put these applications to use quickly, they're turning to Windows NT, and this in turn is making NT one of our primary platforms."

The MSCS can cluster multiple servers for high availability and easier management of data and applications. The system is fully redundant to ensure availability of computing resources with only brief interruptions during system failures to restart the application session.

The clustering strategy will provide customers that use the Versant ODBMS on Windows NT "high-availability features similar to Unix," said Anne Revie, director of product management at Versant. This could be helpful for newer entrants into the market, she said.

Microsoft Cluster Server Now: MSCS is a set of software programs and APIs that lets users cluster or interlink two NT servers. If the first server fails, users and applications are seamlessly switched over-or failed over-to the secondary server. Carriers can also manage applications on clustered servers.

In the future: In 1998, MSCS is expected to add support for application load-balancing and larger clusters that can link four or more NT servers. Carriers could also perform "rolling upgrades" on their servers, performing standard maintenance without taking important data and applications off-line.