In this insightful Q&A session, VMblog sits down with Margaret Hoagland, VP of Global Sales & Marketing at SIOS Technology, to discuss the latest developments in the SIOS LifeKeeper for Linux high availability clustering software. As organizations grapple with the ever-increasing demand for uninterrupted application and database uptime, Hoagland sheds light on how SIOS LifeKeeper for Linux safeguards critical systems against downtime and disasters.

The conversation digs into the new Web Management Console, a cutting-edge feature that enhances the user experience and streamlines system management, especially in cloud environments. Hoagland highlights the innovative setup progress tracking, self-help information cues, and responsive design that caters to administrators managing systems across various devices. Additionally, she emphasizes the console's language localization capabilities, firewall management simplification, and expanded platform support, underscoring SIOS's commitment to delivering a versatile and accessible solution.

Margaret Hoagland:  SIOS LifeKeeper for Linux is high availability clustering software designed to safeguard critical applications and databases such as SAP, S4/HANA, and Oracle against downtime and disasters. Its primary function involves monitoring the operation of the application environment and, in the event of a failure, automatically transitioning operations to a secondary server to ensure continuous functionality. The software is equipped with application-specific plugins that automate manual scripting tasks, ensuring that configuration and failover processes align with the best practices of individual applications and databases. The latest version of LifeKeeper for Linux features a new Web Management Console.

VMblog:  Can you tell us some of the new features in the Web Management Console?

Hoagland:  The new Web Management Console in SIOS LifeKeeper for Linux introduces several innovative features aimed at enhancing the user experience and improving system management. System administrators benefit from unparalleled ease-of-use throughout the entire lifecycle of managing application high availability, especially in cloud environments. Administrators now have access to a new innovative setup progress tracking, facilitating efficient installation and ensuring smooth deployment.

The introduction of self-help "information cues" empowers users enhancing the overall user experience by providing easy access to information about product features and functionality. The LifeKeeper Web Management Console is now a self-contained system, eliminating the need for additional installations or add-ons, simplifying the deployment process, and reducing maintenance overhead. Moreover, there is no longer a requirement for Java or X Window System installation on the server.

Initially available in both Japanese and English, language localization caters to a diverse global user base, improving accessibility and usability for users worldwide. Firewall management is now simplified, with access restricted to only 2 TCP ports, enhancing security measures without compromising accessibility, ensuring a secure environment for system management.

The new console features a responsive design, enabling seamless access and functionality across a wide range of devices, including tablets and smartphones, enhancing flexibility and accessibility for administrators managing systems from various devices.

With expanded support for various platforms, operating systems, and enhanced SAP integration, the Web Management Console offers unparalleled versatility and compatibility, ensuring that administrators can effectively manage systems across different environments and infrastructures.

VMblog:  How does SIOS LifeKeeper for Linux help teams with improving their HA & DR?

Hoagland:  SIOS LifeKeeper for Linux supports teams in improving their High Availability (HA) and Disaster Recovery (DR) capabilities through various features and functionalities. The software continuously monitors the health and availability of critical applications and databases, proactively identifying potential issues or failures.

In the event of a disruption, LifeKeeper automatically triggers failover procedures, seamlessly transitioning operations to secondary servers or backup systems to minimize downtime. It offers application-specific plugins tailored to various applications and databases, automating failover processes and adhering to best practices. Configuration management tools enable teams to define and manage failover scenarios, thresholds, and priorities based on specific requirements.

LifeKeeper also facilitates disaster recovery planning by enabling failover to remote or secondary data centers, ensuring data and application availability in catastrophic events. With a centralized management console, teams have real-time visibility into the HA and DR infrastructure, simplifying administration and troubleshooting tasks.

Overall, SIOS LifeKeeper for Linux empowers teams to enhance their HA and DR capabilities by automating failover processes, ensuring application availability, and enabling efficient management of critical systems and data.

VMblog:  What applications, platforms and operating systems does SIOS LifeKeeper for Linux support?

Hoagland:  SIOS LifeKeeper offers the broadest support in the industry with support for applications running on premises, on Azure Cloud, AWS, and Google Cloud Platform as well as SUSE Linux, Red Hat Linux, and Rocky Linux. A complete list of supported applications, platforms, and operating systems is available on the SIOS website at https://support.us.sios.com/aspx/docs_us_sios_com_home/#LinuxProducts

VMblog:  You've emphasized the automation aspect of the Web Management Console. Why is that important?

Hoagland:  The automation aspect of the Web Management Console is vital in today's landscape where MSPs and CSPs have reshaped the paradigm of IT services. Complex applications, databases and ERP systems are typically designed and implemented by IT architects with specialized skills and knowledge. Day-to-day operation and management of these systems is then turned over to IT administrators. The Web Management Console is one more step toward SIOS' goal of empowering IT administrators who are management critical environments where even a few minutes of system downtime can result in substantial financial losses. With expectations for uninterrupted service continually escalating and required by organizations of all sizes, the imperative to maintain these systems' uptime is more pressing than ever before.

The new SIOS LifeKeeper Web Management Console empowers IT administrators by delivering a simple, holistic application for HA/DR. Rather than routinely firefighting, IT administrators benefit from the simplicity, reliability, and cost efficiency SIOS brings to high availability by implementing automated solutions that streamline troubleshooting processes and provide clarity on root causes, ensuring seamless continuity across cloud availability zones and regions.

VMblog:  How easy is it to upgrade to version 9.8.1?

Hoagland:  Current customers can simply upgrade to version 9.8.1 through the usual processes. Customers with active support agreements can reach out to SIOS support with any questions they may have.

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