Ministry of Defence

The large MoD challenge

An aging IT infrastructure which meant that a large proportion was unsupported and continually leading to escalating costs.
An unsupported server estate, operating around a thousand disparate and duplicate applications. The system had been allowed to develop without overall control, and as a result was presenting escalating costs and proving difficult to manage.
A requirement to conform to stringent MoD regulations in order to ensure that the networks are cleared to hold highly classified data.
A back end infrastructure (storage, e-mail servers, SQL databases and core network) that was running at capacity

2e2 designed and deployed a full infrastructure refresh for 7,500 users. At the heart of the system was a 10GB LAN delivered to two new data centres , with dual 15TB SAN’s, tape backup and archiving.
2e2 implemented a 7,500 user AD and fully resilient Exchange 2003 solution and migrated the existing disparate NTv4 domains and Exchange 5.5 mailboxes to the new solution using the Quest toolset.
The project included a 7,500 seat Desktop migration to a managed Windows XP SP2 based platform , services to package 100+ applications and implemented a Systems Management framework delivering Inventory Solution, Bare metal Deployment Solution, Software Delivery Solution, Patch Management Solution, Application Metering Solution, Remote Control and Hardware & software inventory.
2e2 implemented a Citrix solution for 5,000 users to allow flexible working across over 100 offices. Accommodation efficiencies was one of the main drivers behind this approach as well as enhancing security and increasing staff morale through easier working practices. As part of the programme 2e2 augmented the security and manageability through the use of the AppSense management solution.
2e2 provisioned 300+ Server virtualisation project utilising VMware VI3.0 running on a farm of 12 x ESX dual core quad processor servers hosting 40 VMs per machine.
The project took 7,000+ man days.

Increased systems availability through dual data centre configuration including clustering and replication technologies for full service failover.
Increased security through new hardened operating systems environment and greater management control.
Reduced cost of application deployment and management through Citrix centralised application delivery.
The virtualisation of 300+ legacy servers with a consolidation ratio in excess of 30:1 had immediate cost and cooling / power supply benefits. These included reduced capital and operational costs, simplified management and increased up time.