Background:
Gravesend Grammar is a reputable educational institution located in Kent, South East England. It prides itself on providing a high-quality education to its students. As a forward-thinking school, they have their IT manager to handle their day-to-day technology needs. However, larger projects and complex IT solutions, sometimes require the expertise and support of external professionals, such as MPR IT Solutions. This partnership allows Gravesend Grammar to leverage additional expert skills, ensuring successful outcomes for their IT projects.
Problem:
During the summer break, the IT Manager at Gravesend Grammar School embarked on a crucial project to upgrade the servers from Windows 2012 to Windows 2016. This upgrade was necessary to ensure the school’s IT infrastructure remained up-to-date and capable of meeting the evolving needs of the staff and students.
The upgrade process involved migrating all virtual servers hosted on three physical servers to a new SAN (Storage Area Network) solution. However, a significant challenge arose when it was discovered that the existing SAN, was not compatible with Windows 2016.
To overcome this compatibility issue, the IT Manager sought the assistance of MPR IT Solutions, a trusted IT service provider specialising in tailored solutions for businesses in Kent and South East England. MPR IT Solutions stepped in to support the project and resolve the storage issues.
With a strict timeframe to complete the upgrade before the start of the new term, MPR IT Solutions worked closely with the IT Manager to devise an effective plan. The existing hardware, was thoroughly assessed, and it was determined that a new SAN solution would be required.
Solution:
To ensure a seamless transition, MPR IT Solutions recommended the HPE Modular Smart Array 2052 SAN Dual Controller SFF Storage. This solution offered the necessary compatibility with Windows 2016 and provided the required storage capacity for the school’s data.
Additionally, MPR IT Solutions proposed the use of 16 HPE MSA 900GB 12G SAS 15K SFF disks in a RAID5 configuration, creating a single LUN (Logical Unit Number) for all data. This configuration would optimise performance and ensure data integrity.
To address any potential hardware limitations, MPR IT Solutions requested information regarding the models of the three physical servers, their connections, and the existing RAID arrays and LUNs on the current SAN. This information would help determine if any expansion cards or additional disks were required for the new servers.
During the upgrade process, MPR IT Solutions collaborated closely with the IT Manager, conducting teams meetings and remote connections to the hypervisors. They discovered that two hypervisors and multiple virtual machines were already running Windows 2016, with their data stored on the SAN and accessed from storage pools. However, one storage pool was experiencing issues, which required troubleshooting.
To address this problem, MPR IT Solutions proposed a day of troubleshooting to identify and resolve the underlying issue before considering the need for a new SAN. The customer agreed to this approach, highlighting their trust in MPR IT Solutions’ expertise.
Results:
The IT Manager’s unwavering commitment to upgrading the servers during the summer break, combined with the invaluable support and expertise provided by MPR IT Solutions, resulted in a seamless and successful transition from Windows 2012 to Windows 2016. This upgrade not only significantly enhanced the school’s IT infrastructure but also positioned them to meet their specific business needs more efficiently and effectively, ensuring a smooth and productive academic year ahead. The collaborative efforts between the IT Manager and MPR IT Solutions exemplify the importance of proactive IT project management and tailored solutions in driving positive outcomes for educational institutions like Gravesend Grammar School.
Collaboration with Existing IT Managers: Partnering for Success
At MPR IT Solutions, we understand that IT managers have their hands full with the day-to-day responsibilities of keeping their organisation’s IT infrastructure running smoothly. That’s why we pride ourselves on our ability to seamlessly collaborate with existing IT managers, offering our expertise and support to efficiently complete projects while allowing them to focus on their core responsibilities.
Whether it’s a server upgrade, network expansion or any other IT project, our team is dedicated to working closely with IT managers to understand their goals, objectives, and challenges. We strive to become an extension of their team, providing the additional skills and knowledge needed to ensure the successful outcome of the project.
By entrusting us with their IT projects, IT managers can rest assured that they have a reliable partner who will take care of the technical complexities. This allows them to focus their time and energy on their day-to-day work, ensuring the smooth and uninterrupted operation of their organisation’s IT infrastructure.
Our qualified experts possess a deep understanding of the latest technologies and industry best practices. We bring this knowledge to the table, working hand in hand with IT managers to develop tailored solutions that address their specific business needs. We create a collaborative environment where ideas are exchanged, and innovative solutions are crafted.
With our extensive experience in a wide range of industries, including education, we are well-equipped to handle the unique challenges that IT managers face. Our dedicated team will guide you through every step of the project, from initial planning to implementation and beyond. We have the expertise to troubleshoot any issues that arise, ensuring a seamless and successful project completion.
If you have an IT project that requires additional support and expertise, we invite you to get in touch with us. Our team is ready to discuss your specific requirements and develop a customized solution that aligns with your business goals. Together, we can achieve IT excellence and drive positive outcomes for your organization. Contact us today to start the conversation.