HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.F.4. Authorization to Purchase New Servers and Software for City IT Network
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City of Shakopee
Memorandum
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TO: Mayor & City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: Carrie Duckett, IT Coordinator
SUBJECT: Authorization to Purchase New Servers and Software for City IT Network
DATE: February 7,2007
Introduction
The Council is asked to authorize the purchase of two new servers and a software product called
VMware for use as part of the City's IT network. Funding for both purchases was included in
the 2007 budget for the IT division. New server equipment is required to replace three expired
servers and the software purchase will begin a planned shift to virtual server technology for our
network.
Background
The City currently has a total of eight servers, three of which have reached the end of their life
expectancy and warranties. With the purchase ofVMware (discussed below) we will only need
to purchase two servers to replace the three expired servers. Two HP Proliant servers and the
required accessories and service contracts can be purchased off of the state contract for a total of
$12,824.73.
VMware
Purchasing VMware ESX Virtual Infrastructure software will allow the City to establish a virtual
infrastructure so we can run multiple servers on a single physical server box. We will need to
purchase one centralized management server license plus one ESX license for each physical
server that will run on VMware.
A virtual infrastructure simplifies IT so we can leverage our storage, network, and computing
resources to control costs and respond faster. Having two servers operate with this software will
also allow redundancy and load balancing between our servers. For example if 1 ESX server
fails it will automatically bring up the virtual server on the other ESX box allowing for virtually
no down time. For load balancing if 1 server is using more resources then the other ESX box
then it will move that virtual server over to the other ESX box for system performance with no
down time to the end users.
.
This is useful in our environment in a few situations:
. If a department has a new project that normally would require purchasing a new server, in
most cases we could just bring up a new virtual machine instead of purchasing a new
server.
. IT staff will be able to can create virtual test and development labs for testing new
software, patches, etc.
. Built in redundancy so that in cases of hardware failures or hardware upgrades we would
not need to bring down the virtual machines.
The total cost for the single management license and the two ESX licenses is $14,590.50.
Budget Impact
The cost ofthis equipment, including shipping and tax, is $27,415.23, which can be funded from
the adopted 2007 IT budget.
Action
If it concurs, the Council should offer a motion authorizing appropriate city staff to purchase two
new servers and VMware Virtual Infrastructure software, as described above, in an amount not
to exceed $27,500.