Virtualisation support for future versions of Empower CDS

<p><span>Hi</span></p><p></p><p><span>We are currently comtemplating options to upgrade our Empower Enterprise Client/Server system. Currently we have Empower 1154 on a Windows 2000 database server with fully installed clients on Windows XP desktops. Our IT department are looking to consolidate servers with Vmware Esx and are considering virtual desktops with Vmware view. As Empower 2 is not supported in virtual environments this would present more complex qualification requirements to meet regualatory compliance as the software is not structurally validated in this configuration.</span></p><p><span>Are Waters planning to provide support for virtual environments in the next version of Empower CDS (3)?. Would this include support for Vmware virtualisation software products?</span></p><p><span>Do any community users have experience of using Empower in virtual environments? Are these regulated GXP laboratories?</span></p><p><span>Regards</span></p><p><span>Geoff</span></p>

Answers

  • This is being looked into, someone will be responding. Your patience is appreciated.

  • Hi Geoff-

    Waters intends to support VMWare virtualization in Empower 3. Although a definite time line has not yet been determined, this will be a post release project and is expected by the end of the year.

  • We've been using VMWare andr Citrix in a full scale production environment for 6 months. No significant issues to report. We've migrated our development Empower 2 application server from physical server to VM and haven't observed any issues so far.

  • Hi GPK,

    What version of Empower 2 are you running? Is your configuration supported by Waters?

    We are currently running Empower 2 FR2 SPB, and are in the process of upgrading to Empower 3. We were told that VM would not be supported until Empower 3 FR1 or FR2.

    Thanks.

  • Hello Everyone,

    There is good news.

    Empower 3 support for VMWare is being tested and will be released separate from FR1.

    Other options and tools to support High Availability configurations continue to be planned for the Empower 3 FR1 release.  It is important to review the Release Notes and associated documents at the time of release for deployment considerations.

    Empower 3 support in a VMWare environment will be announced before the end of April, 2011.

    Best regards,

    Dot

  • Dot

    Thanks for the update.  I do have few questions.

    After support for Empower 3 with VMWare is finalized what will be the adaptability of its use?

    We are discussing upgrading to Empower 3 but have a problem.  The computers available to users will have Windows 7 32 bit as an operating system (OS).  This is a company wide change and required format to have utility for all the company software and databases.  We want to know the applicability of using VMWare in our situation.

    Will Waters' support of VMWare for Empower 3 cover the database server configuration and configuration for client computers?

    Will we be able to use VMWare on client PCs to run Empower 3 as an application running Windows 7 64 bit as OS and still have Windows 7 32 bit running on the PC as another OS?  Would this configuration be supported by Waters?

    Thank you for your thoughts.

    Regards,

    Mary Ann

  • Hello Mary Ann,

    The release announcement for Empower 3 virtualization support with VMWare is anticipated later this week.  Full release notes and details for supported configurations and platforms will be available at that time.  Please stay tuned for the posting.  This discussion thread will be updated as well.

    We appreciate your patience,

    Dot

  • Hello Everyone,

    You can access Empower 3 support for VMware vSphere virtualization platform (TECN134615712) today via the menus:

    Products & Markets -> Informatics & Software -> Empower 3 Chromatography Data Software

    This Tech Note will appear in the Support Library and in Search after the web's database is updated later tonight.

    The Release Notes are available for download from the link

    http://www.waters.com/waters/support.htm?lid=134615512&cid=511442&type=RLSN

    Best regards

    Dot