Formerly known as Collage, Cassatt Active Response is an automated, dynamic server resource management platform for Windows, Linux, and Solaris servers. Collage provides both for the automated initial deployment of application and O/S images to servers, and additionally provides continuous monitoring of server and application health, with the ability to reassign resources dynamically--based on administrator defined performance goals--to keep application performance within designated operational levels.

At the core of the Cassatt Active Response platform is the optimization engine, which drives the automated allocation of resources to meet defined policy levels. For each application, administrators can define the target availability, performance, and relative priority. The automation engine then compares those desired levels to actual system performance; and when deviations are noted can take actions including deploying additional servers from a free pool, or pulling resources from other servers. Such deviations could be the result of multiple types of conditions; including usage spikes, or hardware/software failure. The monitoring system requires no Cassatt Active Response specific agents to be deployed on the target servers; but rather utilizes existing monitoring tools including SNMP, JMX, ICMP, HTTP, and custom definitions. A Web Services API allows for the extension of both the performance measurement process as well as the available policy engine actions.

Provisioning and management of servers is based on the delivery of application+O/S images. Called an Image Matrix, the image itself is hosted on the network (on a controller node) and delivered on-the-fly to application node servers on boot up, with only the necessary customizations applied necessary for the target servers. This image-based delivery facilitates patch management (only the base image need be updated), and the swapping of server resources as needed since the servers themselves are, in essence, "stateless."

Cassatt Active Response is offered in four flavors; all of which now feature the inclusion of the vendor's Active Power Management technology which enables the platform to monitor and actively shut down/restart pool machines as needs dictate in an attempt to reduce unnecessary power consumption in data centers. The new Standard Version of Cassatt Active Response in fact offers only the active power management features; with the Premium and Data Center Editions including the core features formerly available in Collage (the Premium version also now includes the previously optional Cross Virtualization Manager--XVM--which extends the dynamic and automated server provisioning features of the platform to virtual server environments; while the Data Center Edition includes the previously optional Network Virtualization Service--NVS--which allows for automated VLAN manipulations, and support for dual control node HA deployments). An Enterprise Edition--with support for the management of geographically dispersed global Enterprises--is listed as in development, with expected availability in late 2008.

For the enhancement of the Active Response platform, the vendor additionally offers "Feature Packs." Two feature packs are currently offered: The PG&E Feature Pack (available with the Standard Edition) which provides a real-time connection to PG&E's Demand Response program; and the WebLogic Feature Pack (formerly know as the Web Automation Module, or WAM), which facilitates the automated management of BEA WebLogic application servers. The WebLogic Feature Pack is available with the Premium, Data Center, and Enterprise Editions.

Cassatt Active Response is available now in the Standard, Premium, and Data Center Editions. Pricing is listed at $200 per managed machine (Standard), $1,250 per managed machine (Premium), and $2,500 per managed machine (Data Center Edition). The Enterprise Edition is expected in late 2008.

Contact Cassatt Corporation for further information.

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