F5's File Virtualization Helps SEGA Reduce Data Management Costs and Headaches
TOKYO - DEC 2009 - F5 Networks, Inc., the global leader in Application Delivery Networking, has revealed that SEGA Corp has deployed the F5® ARX® file virtualization solution to simplify its file management and archiving systems.
SITUATION: SEGA faced growing data management challenges with the increase of high-quality videos and multimedia files adding a significant burden to the file servers used by the company's nearly 4,000 employees. As a result, weekly backup operations took 40 hours to complete. SEGA looked for ways to simplify the operation of its file servers and make its data management efforts more efficient.
SOLUTION: SEGA leveraged F5's ARX file virtualization solution to implement an automated storage tiering strategy. Storage tiering allows SEGA to flexibly allocate storage resources, archiving non-critical data on lower-cost, large capacity devices and freeing up primary storage systems for its frequently used data. This approach helped the company decrease the number of expensive primary storage systems required, and substantially reduced the time required for backup operations. By maximizing the efficiency of its existing storage hardware, SEGA was also able to pool available storage resources from servers that had previously operated independently.
F5's ARX solution enables SEGA to:
1. Reduce the Cost of Data Management and Backup
- SEGA can now use lower-cost SATA disks for file archiving efforts, reducing overall storage costs by two-thirds and decreasing the number of files subject to daily backup operations. With a storage tiering strategy, SEGA has reduced the time spent on backup efforts by 40 percent.
2. Easily Manage Data without Impacting Users
- The client environment comprises different operating systems such as Linux, Macintosh, and Windows Vista, but when introduced on a company-wide basis, ARX enables seamless data migration to new servers.
- Due to ARX's global namespace capability, employees can continue accessing data in the manner they are used to, even when new servers are installed.
3. Conveniently Scale their Infrastructure
- With ARX, heterogeneous storage systems are virtualized for maximum efficiency. With a virtual storage environment, additional capacity can be added to the existing pool of resources to support the company's growth initiatives.
- For details about F5's ARX file virtualization solutions,visit www.f5.com/products/arx-series/ or call Jeff Blesi at F5's Authorized Re-Seller, Milestone Systems, Inc. toll-free: 866-646-9211, or info@milestonesystems.com
About SEGA Corporation
The Japan-based SEGA® Corporation is a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. SEGA's global website is located at www.sega.com.
NOTES:
- F5 and ARX are trademarks or service marks of F5 Networks, Inc., in the U.S. and other countries. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
- Milestone Systems, Inc. is the most experienced integrator of F5 appliances in the USA. Milestone offers integration & implementation, 24x7 support desk, Tech on Tap, Gap Coverage, project consulting, and various other services surounding F5 equipment. ##
