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Sify hosts Application & Database Servers of RxMD
AThe implementation involved hosting services, managedservices, DR solution, security & storage services. The benefits ensured 99.6% uptime for the infrastructure. RxMD provides new drug development consulting andknowledge outsourcing services from its office in NJ, USA and Chennai, India. RxMD is managed by US Board Certified and Licensed physicians who have been responsible for bringing several new drugs/biologics to the US/EU market.
CHALLENGES :
As RxMD is to handle very critical patient clinical trial data, which also must be very secure, a world-class infrastructure with guaranteed uptimes, highly secured environment and unmatched service quality in India was of utmost importance. The infrastructure must be compliant with US and EU regulations.
THE CHALLENGES WERE:
Identifying a world-class Data Centre in Chennai, India.
Identifying a partner who could provide an end-to-end solution that would mean procuring hardware/software, installation, deployment & maintenance, co-location and managed services.
Identifying an IDC which would work in the highly regulated environment of clinical drug development.
With an eye on future growth, a 'scalable' architecture was of paramount importance.
Latency reduction was also an integral part of the mandate.
OS & DB administration - 24x7
The DR server should be brought live in 24hrs.
The application was developed by a Chennai based company. Sify had to work in association with the application developer and ensure fulfillment of the Solution Architecture.
Identifying an IDC, which follows structured framework in implementing various things and which can accommodate stringent auditors.
THE SIFY SOLUTION :
Sizing: Sify in sync with RxMD's application developer proposed the sizing for the hardware and the other Managed Services in the Data Centre. Intel servers and necessary software procured from Dell and Ingram micro respectively were installed and deployed at Sify's Level 3 Data Centre at Tidel Park, Chennai. The same is maintained and monitored 24x7x365 by Sify's skilled engineers.
Hosting Services: On the Hosting Services front a number of services were recommended. Besides basic 'rack space' which includes 24x7 support, server availability monitoring, DNS entries, service port monitoring, server hardening, network intrusion detection systems, bandwidth sizing was done on a 'pay-as-you-grow' model.
DR Services: This was the most important and unique requirement of RxMD. They wanted their DR server to be up and running in 24 hrs from the time it was delivered in the Data Centre (The DR server is placed in their office). Sify suggested a commercially & technically optimal solution using Vault DR to fulfill this requirement. Using Vault DR, Server images at a particular instant can be captured. By using these images, the DR server can be brought up in 6-8 hrs.
Managed Services: RxMD wanted a skilled resource to monitor and manage their OS and Database 24x7. They also wanted Sify to follow stringent policies and be able to undergo very tough audits by US/EU based institutions.
Security and Storage Services: RxMD opted to use Sify's back up infrastructure, as it would help minimize their initial investment. The Sify Data Centre at Tidel is BS7799 certified which ensures implementation of stringent security practices. On the virtual security front, Sify has a built-in Firewall at the Core Switch through which all traffic enters the Data Centre. A world-class intrusion detection system and anti-virus is also deployed to provide foolproof security to the applications and servers hosted at the Data Centre.
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