Optimized – the consolidation appliance is a pre-built standardized platform for consolidating SQL Servers and reducing implementation risk.

• Consolidate thousands of SQL Servers on an appliance to reduce floor space, power and cooling consumption.
• Designed for high availability with redundant components from the servers, storage, switches, to the switches connecting the appliance to the network.
• Coordinated appliance support from HP and Microsoft.
  

Optimized – the appliance includes tools to consolidate SQL Server workloads, simplify infrastructure and SQL Server instance management, and minimize downtime.

• Central console and unique management software simplifies appliance management and maintenance.
• Uniquely developed management software: Appliance Packs, PRO Packs, BPA Tools, Storage Management tools, and enhanced MAP Tool.
• Designed with HP servers and ample internal storage to deliver balanced performance for I/O intensive workloads.
• One-button-update for drivers and firmware.
• Self Service Portal meters resource usage and enables chargeback to improve resource utilization.

Agile – the consolidation appliance helps businesses scale seamlessly.

• Scales from the Base configuration to a Full configuration and to multiple racks to match your database storage needs.
• Pre-sized, pre-tested virtual machines automate SQL Server provisioning from weeks to minutes.
• Seamlessly scale from a base configuration to multiple racks with 580 terabytes of raw capacity.

Q1. What is new about the HP Enterprise Database Consolidation Appliance?

A1. The HP Enterprise Database Consolidation Appliance is a fully integrated hardware and software system, optimized for Microsoft SQL Server business critical workloads. It dramatically simplifies the deployment and management of a virtualized infrastructure for consolidating hundreds to thousands of transactional databases into a single environment, where new SQL Server instances can be provisioned in minutes and migrations can be accomplished with near-zero downtime. This results in an easier to manage, more cost-efficient solution that delivers the agility that today’s enterprise business requires.

Q2. What is included in the consolidation appliance?

A2. The Database Consolidation Appliance includes:
-HP Appliance, HP software, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter, Factory Integration and onsite Installation and Startup services, 3 year HP Support Plus 24 for HP components
-Microsoft Database Consolidation Appliance 2012 software pre-installed (licensed separately)
-Microsoft Premier Support (required minimum)

Q3. What additional licenses do I need to purchase?

A3. You will need to separately purchase the Microsoft Database Consolidation 2012 license. Microsoft created a new product built on Microsoft System Center technologies, SQL Server technologies, and customized tools needed to run the appliance.

Q4. Can I change the configuration of the consolidation appliance?

A4. No. The appliance is optimized for running hundreds to thousands of business critical SQL Server OLTP workloads. The system components were chosen with optimum throughput in mind.

Q5. How is the Database Consolidation Solution different from the appliance?

A5. The appliance is a hardware and software integrated system, that allows customers to consolidate thousands of business critical database servers in a virtualized system. The appliance provides the benefit of a private cloud infrastructure: elasticity, self service, resource pooling and control.

The Database Consolidation Solution is a reference architecture, with prescriptive guidance.