Shield Advanced Solutions, leading providers of High Availability software, announces new release for flagship product HA4i (High Availability for the IBM i). This is a premier logical replication solution for the IBM i that provides the ability to replicate system data and objects between systems using remote journal technology. HA4i delivers a flexible and simplistic approach to implementing a HA solution which allows mid-sized companies to achieve a 'big business' High Availability solution.

Shield's customers are already raving about how fast and capable V7R1 is.

"The web-based interface allows HA4i to be controlled entirely using a secure IBM i sign on." said Chris Hird, president of Shield Advanced Solutions. "The increased functionality and automation has not diminished the products reputation for simple installation and configuration, and ease-of-use." HA4i supports the most complex to the simplest application recovery environment with minimal system overhead.

Technical

HA4i requires IBM i OS Version 5, release 4 and upwards and uses remote journaling for database replication. Object replication is triggered by the use of the Audit journal and advanced request filtering to ensure effective resource use. This release adds a new apply process for the user journal entries which is faster and more effective in complex environments, the existing apply process is still available for customers who prefer it. The new PHP interface brings a modern approach to controlling the HA environment which also reduces the management burden associated with all HA solutions. The auditing functionality has been revamped in this release to provide automated repair capabilities and recovery which reduces the overhead of managing replication problems such as locked objects etc.

Licensing is IBM tier-based.

Background

Initially launched in 2007, previously named the Receiver Apply Program (RAP), HA4i is based on a technology pioneered by Shield's Chris Hird for applying remote journal receivers using the APYJRNCHG command. Says Hird, "New features and enhancements have taken the product beyond its original concepts. While the original apply technology still survives in the product, it has been supplemented by a totally new apply process which removed restrictions."