High Availability Module.

ContentKeeper's High Availability Module (HAM). The HAM is an electro mechanical Ethernet switch which ensures network connectivity even in the event of a hardware, software or power failure. The software has also been engineered to be totally robust via an inbuilt auto-health monitoring and checking system which can correct minor errors, and report status to the HAM, helping ensure that the system is operational at all times.

 

HAMs can also provide an automatic hot standby failover to a second ContentKeeper Appliance.

ContentKeeper Appliances now come with a HAM built-in on the motherboard (see below for details).

Mission Critical Network Stability.

The ContentKeeper HAM module is an Ethernet Bypass Switch providing automatic bypass of the ContentKeeper appliance in the unlikely event of any hardware or software failure. It provides the ContentKeeper Administrator with a point and click ability to force the unit to bypass all Ethernet traffic or go back online. It also allows the ContentKeeper Software to be upgraded during production hours without disrupting network connectivity (during upgrades the ContentKeeper box simply and automatically switches into bypass mode if a reboot or restart is required).

 

 

In the event of a failure of ContentKeeper appliance, the HAM removes the ContentKeeper filtering appliance from the Ethernet data stream. When in bypass mode the HAM directly connects the ContentKeeper's Ethernet ports to re-establish end-to-end communications. An audible alarm is emitted when in bypass mode. The HAM can be monitored and configured via the ContentKeeper filtering appliance Administration screen. The ContentKeeper HAM is available in multiple configurations as described below.

 

Ethernet Speed	Internal PCI Card	External Module
10/100BaseT
10/100/1000BaseT(Gigabit)
OpticalHAM 1000 Base (Fiber)

 

Key Features

• Provides cost effective high availability
• Provides cost effective automatic fail over to a second ContentKeeper appliance
• Independent Watchdog function responds to hardware failures and power outages
• Quickly bypasses any failing ContentKeeper Appliance - configurable - by default, within 4 seconds (almost instantly when Cisco "portfast" is set on attached switches).
• Application keep alive provides automatic bypass in the event of software failure
• Completely transparent to Ethernet traffic
• Simple control interface via ContentKeeper GUI administration menu
• Allows administrator point and click bypass control
• Maintains end-to-end connectivity through power failures
• Flash firmware upgradeable
• Flexible Physical Design for PCI Internal Card or External Chassis Applications
• Supports: 10/100 BaseT and 1000BaseT Ethernet and Optical Fiber networks

Interface

• Onboard built-in to most ContentKeeper appliances
• Programmable Ethernet Bypass switch
• 4 x Network Interface ports (on external or PCI HAM only)
• Ease of Installation and management
• Fault tolerant hardware and application design
• Network and Operating System independent
• Bypass function is not reliant on electrical supply

Operating Environment

• Compatible with all operating environments, including: Microsoft™, Novell™, Unix, Linux™, Apple™
• Designed for corporate high availability, high throughput and load balanced environments, as well as small site installations.
• Ease of Installation and management
• Hack-proof transparent Ethernet Bypass Switch: No desktop re-configuration or IP re-numbering
• Compatible with any proxy servers, firewalls, caching devices, routers and other IP based network devices.

Administration

• Full web-based, online/bypass and configuration support
• Web Browser based management - local and remote via ContentKeeper menu
• Fully automatic cut-in (bypass) and system restore (no user involvement required)

ContentKeeper Appliances

• SME2 - On board HAM on 10/100 ports only.
  (For Gigabyte port usage the unit requires either an internal 10/100/1000BaseT HAM or an external 10/100/1000BaseT HAM (optional)
• LE2 - on board 10/100/1000BaseT HAM (included)
• VLE - - on board 10/100/1000BaseT HAM (included)
  
  Older Appliances
• SB - No on Board HAM - uses external 10/100BaseT HAM (optional) *
• SME - no on board HAM - uses external 10/100BaseT HAM (optional) *
• LE - use either an internal 10/100/1000BaseT HAM or an external 10/100/1000BaseT HAM *

For "automatic hot stand-by failover" an additional HAM is required. Use an external (black box) or internal (PCI card) 10/100/1000 BaseT HAM or an 10/100 BaseT HAM.

 

* Appliances marked with "*" are older models no longer available