Parallel Computers Technology Inc. (PCTI) develops and markets performance enhancement middleware to leverage multiple low cost servers. These include synchronous parallel transaction replication, query load balancing, database server fault tolerance and fault tolerant high performance computing products for companies that require mission critical electronic data processing.

The Product: DB^x™ Intelligent Switch (ISX)

DB^x™ Intelligent Switch (ISX) is a SQL query switch designed to tackle two management issues in a replicated SQL Server® database environment: 1) long service downtime for individual server repair, and 2) manual errors in managing multiple replication queues. ISX can limit planned SQL Server® downtime to be less than 1 minute per server repair incident and can totally automate the fail over and fail back processes.

 How ISX Works:

ISX is an industrial-strength database packet processor (gateway). It resides on the network path between database clients and the primary and secondary SQL Servers. It will run as a service on a dedicated server or co-locate with a SQL Server. It can be protected via built-in IP-takeover for LAN or DNS takeover for WAN. Deploying ISX is a plug-and play operation. Cluster configuration and monitoring are done through a Windows-based Control Center.

AUTOMATED FAILOVER AND FAILBACK
Using transaction replication queues can absorb intermittent network outages and varying latencies while still accomplishing the goal of replication. While this is desirable for transaction replication across an unreliable WAN, administrating such a cluster can be difficult and complex. SQL Server® fail over must wait for the Replication Queue to empty before resuming service. Restoring a failed SQL Server must endure the same complexity. Using ISX the process is completely automated.

LESS THAN 1-MINUTE DOWNTIME FOR EACH DATA RE-BUILD INCIDENT
Data corruption in any queue or SQL Server® will require a dataset rebuild. Rebuilding a dataset on either the primary or the secondary SQL Server® requires shutting down the service entirely due to the use of replication queues. The larger the dataset or poorer the WAN quality will require longer planned downtime. ISX can eliminate this risk by guaranteeing less than 1-minute service downtime per dataset rebuilding incident regardless of dataset size and WAN quality.

SCALABILITY
Using ISX allows adding synchronously replicated SQL Server® into the cluster for load sharing purposes without shutting down the cluster.

PROACTIVE MONITORING FOR SECURE DATA ACCESS
ISX constantly monitors the health of all database servers by looking for telltale signs of failure. It also monitors all incoming network traffic. Only queries from legitimate sources are to be accepted.

ELIMINATES ALL SINGLE POINTS OF FAILURE
ISX can be protected by IP-takeover for LAN environments or by DNS for WAN environments.

SERVER CONSOLIDATION FRIENDLY
ISX can be installed as a network appliance or co-locate with SQL Server® or other services. It saves you money by automating the fail over/fail back processes and drastically reducing worst-case planned downtimes for your mission critical applications.

Current Offering:

1. DB^x™ Intelligent Switch (ISX) - 200-6000 concurrent connections, supports up to 4 SQL servers®.

System Requirements:

Operating System: Windows NT/2000/2003 Servers, Standard or Enterprise Editions.
Database Support: SQL Servers 2000 and 2005, Standard and Enterprise Editions.

Download the DB^x™ Intelligent Switch (ISX) brochure (PDF, 195 Kb)