Microsoft Case Study: RepliWeb Speeds Deployment of ... - Attunity

and interoperable. Beyond that, thecompany wanted to take advantage of newcapabilities that it could use to enhance itsproducts.SolutionIn March 2009, RepliWeb began deployingWindows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise withInternet Information Services (IIS) 7.5 in thecompany’s development environment,quality assurance laboratory, and customersupport centers. The company is usingserver computers from both Dell and HP.Next, RepliWeb set up a simulatedproduction environment and began testingcore capabilities of Windows Server 2008 R2including content replication, IISconfiguration deployment, complexsubdirectory and file replication, and largefile transfer processes. RepliWeb wanted toensure that its applications ran well on thenew operating system. It also sought toidentify features within Windows Server2008 R2 that could enhance performanceand streamline administration processes.For example, RepliWeb is taking advantageof a new IIS configuration system based ona hierarchy of XML configuration files thatwas first introduced with IIS 7.0. Thecompany’s RepliWeb Deployment (R-1)product works with the configurationsystem to provide additional control andmore-detailed replication capabilities for IISdeployment processes.RepliWeb is also using the WindowsPowerShell Snap-In for IIS 7.5, anapplication programming interface thatextends the functionality of the WindowsPowerShell 2.0 command-line shell andscripting language. The company’s R-1product can be used with the snap-in toautomate complex content deploymentprocesses.RepliWeb provides back-end replication ofcontent and media file assets forcustomer-facing production servers thatare operated by its large client base in themedia, gaming, and e-commerceindustries. While deploying WindowsServer 2008 R2, RepliWeb noted multiplenew features that its customers could useto improve operations.For instance, the company felt that newintelligent media serving capabilities suchas Bit Rate Throttling—an IIS 7.5extension—would offer value tocustomers. Bit Rate Throttling is aconfigurable tool that can be used tomanage bandwidth allocation and controldownload speeds.RepliWeb has also found that customeruse of Hyper-V virtualization technologyhas accelerated since the release ofWindow Server 2008 R2. The company’sLarge File Accelerator (LFA) protocol—which speeds the delivery of large fileassets over wide area networks—is gainingin popularity with customers who useHyper-V to improve scalability.The company uses Hyper-V internally toenhance service and support deliverablesfor existing customers. “We use Hyper-Vextensively in support operations,” saysHerrmann. “Our team is constantlyrebuilding simulated environments thatmodel our customers’ environments.”BenefitsRepliWeb is simplifying administration byimplementing Windows Server 2008 R2and IIS 7.5, and it is ready to meetmarketplace demands with the newsolution.• Eases interoperation. When RepliWebimplemented Window Server 2008 R2, itwanted to facilitate a smooth transitionto the new operating system for itscustomers. RepliWeb reports that itsproducts perform well on WindowsServer 2008 R2 without modification. “Itis easy to upgrade to Windows Server2008 R2,” says Shai Cohen, VicePresident of Products at RepliWeb. “Wefound it easy to optimize our productsfor Windows Server 2008 R2 and toincorporate essential IIS 7.5functionality.”• Reduces deployment time. RepliWebproducts running on Windows Server2008 R2 ensure that content—whethermultimedia files, online gaming code, orfinancial data—is current and deliveredconsistently across the enterprise. Andby using built-in administration tools,the company can reduce the time spenton file replication and other criticaldeployment tasks by up to 75 percent.“The Shared Configuration feature of IIS7.5 helps us automate and streamlineWeb site maintenance,” Cohen says. “Wecan provision IIS configuration settingsand application content across multipleservers in one deployment.”• Meets future needs. RepliWeb hassuccessfully completed the WindowsServer 2008 R2 Logo Program forsoftware, which confirms that itsproducts meet Windows® standards.RepliWeb is confident that using itssoftware with Windows Server 2008 R2will help it stay responsive to itscustomers and ahead of themarketplace. “New features in IIS 7.5 willbe very useful for implementing oursolutions,” says Cohen. “We also believethat the high level of overall productionreadinessin Windows Server 2008 R2means that it will be an increasinglycommon environment for our clientsand prospective customers.”