Information systems and servers

Description

Muir Group is looking to select an organisation who can implement a Fully Resilient Server and Storage solution which includes all the required network connectivity (if existing provision is deemed to be not suitable / incompatible) between the servers proposed storage solution. Muir Group is looking for their current virtualisation software (VMWare 5) to either be upgraded to the latest version or be replaced with a different Virtualisation solution. Their current version of Citrix (XenApp 6) needs to be upgraded to the latest version. Muir Group current receive a 24*7*365 monitoring service for their IT environment at the primary and DR location and is looking for options to replace the current service. Muir Group is looking to select an organisation who can implement a Fully Resilient Server and Storage solution which includes all the required network connectivity (if existing provision is deemed to be not suitable / incompatible) between the servers proposed storage solution. The storage solution needs to be able maximise storage efficiencies, be scalable, be fully resilient in design both locally and across the primary and backup sites. To ensure the solution is future proof we are looking for the core network / SAN networking to have high speed interconnects. Note: Current Server to SAN connectivity is 8Gbps Fibre Channel and the core network is 10Gbe. It is envisaged that primary site will continue to be located at Muir Group's new Head office which is at Lightfoot Street in Chester and the Backup location will be installed in an external location. Note: Currently, Muir Group rent two racks from Melbourne in Manchester where their backup infrastructure is located. The existing Infrastructure, including the VMware environment and Citrix environment will need to be migrated and upgraded to the latest versions of software; currently Muir Group has VMware VSphere 5.1.0 and Citrix XenApp 6. The primary and backup locations are currently set up in a high availability mode to ensure that no single component failure would prevent any system / service availability. This level of resilience is required for the proposed solution. The solution needs to have the capability to fail over to the backup site and have the capability to easily fall back to the primary site. Muir Group's existing backup system enables them to backup multiple servers in parallel and recover data quickly, the existing solution enables them to hold on disk backups for up to 30 days, long term archiving of data is transferred to an LTO Tape Based system. The current server and storage solution will be 5 years old in September 2017 after which it will not be covered under maintenance. The repurposed servers (used at the DR site at Melbourne) are over 8 years old. Some of the current hardware could have maintenance extended, but not for a full 5 years and therefore not feasible retaining / reusing the existing hardware. Note: Muir Group are open to all options for delivering their requirements, but the decision on what is selected will be heavily weighted on the cost of the complete solution over the full 5 years. Muir Group has invested heavily in training its IT staff on being able to maintain, operate and support the existing IT Environment; Training and handover on the new solution will need to be delivered as part of the solution. Full documentation for the implemented solution will be required. Full proof of tests performed during the commissioning of the solution will be required. Once the solution has been built and the existing environment upgraded and migrated over to the new solution, Muir Group will need a support contracts in place for every element of the solution, including support for VMware, Citrix, Exchange, and the backup solution. Note: We envisage direct support contracts with the hardware / software vendors. Muir Group does however require a 24*7*365 monitoring service for the implemented solution and monitoring of existing ICT Infrastructure components. Note: Muir Group currently have a contract to provide a 24*7*365 monitoring service that uses SolarWinds which is provided as a service.