[Info-vax] Marketing ideas for VSI ?

[Dave Froble]

On 12/14/2018 8:41 AM, Simon Clubley wrote:
> Based on the comments in the other thread, I thought it would be
> a good idea to ask if anyone has any ideas about how VSI can promote
> VMS to the larger world.
>
> One idea I had was something along the lines of the disaster-proof
> video showing what VMS clusters can do. I was thinking of a demo
> something along these lines:
>
> A 3-site cluster, with each site about 50 miles away from the other
> sites, maybe in a triangle, with each side of the triangle about
> 50 miles long. There would also be devices/PCs/etc using the cluster.
>
> The cluster would have fully shared everything, including HBVS,
> in a fully active/active configuration across all 3 sites.
>
> The video shows all 3 sites and the devices/PCs/etc on-screen at
> the same time.
>
> The power is pulled from one site to simulate a disaster, while a
> clock starts running showing how long it takes for the remaining
> cluster nodes to recover.
>
> The demo would make a point of saying that not one single byte of
> data was lost and passive-style replication wasn't necessary as all
> sites had their data in sync with each other at all times.
>
> Does anyone have any other ideas ?
>
> Simon.
>

Actually Simon, the part of "not one single byte of data was lost" isn't 
totally accurate.  For what's aleady written to storage, yes, it should 
be safe.  But ongoing work on any particular CPU or system will be lost 
when that particular system is lost.

However, this is a very small amount of data, and lost regardless of 
whatever OS and such would be involved, so that part is a level playing 
field.

It really depends on whatever the cluster is doing.  For example, 
terminal activity, processes are lost, and assuming the users can reach 
other locations, they would have to login and restart their application. 
  For services and such, if there are not copies running at each 
location, there would have to be automated procedures to restart at 
available locations.

But your idea is a good one, and the biggest problem I see is first 
getting potential buyers to take time to view and consider the 
demonstration.

-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      E-Mail: davef at tsoft-inc.com
DFE Ultralights, Inc.
170 Grimplin Road
Vanderbilt, PA  15486