Large-Scale Database Servers Consolidation

A large banks server farm is nearing the end of its functional period and needs a major upgrade. The
bank decided to use the opportunity to clean up and standardize the environments at the national level,
and then consolidate the servers. The infrastructure consists of Windows clients and Windows and Linux
servers, running DB2, Oracle and SQL server databases. The project has three phases. You are given the
project to the first phase of the project.

Scope Statement: In scope

Upgrade all client workstations to Windows XP.

Upgrade all servers to Windows 2008.
Upgrade all Linux servers to Red Hat 9

Scope Statement: Out of scope

Consolidation of data into one database. Consolidation of servers.

Key Points of problem:

Terms clarification:

Server Farm
Functional period
Upgrade server farm
Consolidation of servers at national level
Current Infra: Windows clients, windows and Linux servers, DB2 OS, Oracle and SQL Server
database
Upgrade to: Windows XP client, windows 2008 servers, Linux Red Hat 9

1. Server Farm/ Server Cluster:

A collection of computer servers - usually maintained by an organization to supply

server functionality far beyond the capability of a single machine
Server farms often consist of thousands of computers which require a large amount
of power to run and to keep cool
At the optimum performance level, a server farm has enormous costs (both financial
and environmental) associated with it
Server farms often have backup servers, which can take over the function of primary
servers in the event of a primary-server failure.
Server farms are typically collocated with the network switches and/or routers which
enable communication between the different parts of the cluster and the users of the
cluster.
Server farmers typically mount the computers, routers, power supplies, and related
electronics on 19-inch racks in a server room or data center.
2. Functional period:

3.