MTI Launches New Vivant Family of End-to-End Enterprise Storage
Network Solutions
Product Line Designed to Bring 'DataServices' to the Enterprise
ANAHEIM, Calif., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on its leadership in providing high-performance enterprise-class storage
solutions, MTI Technology Corp. (Nasdaq: MTIC) has announced the first in a series of high-availability, end-to-end enterprise
storage network solutions. The Vivant family is designed to support the demanding data storage requirements of large corporate
enterprises into the next millennium.
Vivant is the hardware foundation of the recently announced MTI DataServices strategy. The product line provides strategically
integrated storage hardware and software that have been certified and tested to minimize challenges often encountered in
today's complex enterprise storage environments. MTI's DataServices combines Storage Area Network (SAN) and
Network-Attached Storage (NAS) technologies coupled with consulting services and management software in a single solution,
offering comprehensive, cross-platform compatibility with certified interoperability.
"IT customers implementing applications that require scalable, enterprise-class storage would do well to work with MTI," said
Michael L. Peterson, president of Strategic Research Corp. in Santa Barbara, Calif. "Vivant and its broad range of storage
services, coupled with MTI's professional services, are a solid combination."
The Fibre Channel-based network storage systems in the Vivant family feature MTI's fault-tolerant, scalable technology that
enables users to expand storage to multiple terabytes of data. The systems offer concurrent host support for a variety of
applications that require high bandwidth and maximum transfer rates such as large enterprise data warehousing, data mining and
online transaction processing (OLTP) environments.
Seven essential storage management functions are offered as part of MTI DataServices. Each feature is designed to provide the
necessary functionality for enterprise storage networks including certified and tested combinations of hardware and software
coupled with a wide array of service and support options. The seven integrated services include block servers (storing data in
native OS formats for SAN environments), file servers (storing data at a logical file level for access by NFS and CIFS clients in
a NAS environment), Fiber Channel connectivity components, data replication, backup protection, centralized storage
management, and 24x7 support services.
"By combining the Vivant family of storage systems -- which unites the essential elements of both SAN and NAS into a fully
tested, high-availability, enterprise storage solution -- with MTI DataServices, we have taken the design of enterprise network
solutions to a new level," said Kevin J. Liebl, vice president of marketing at MTI. "MTI's investment in R&D and patented
technology along with experience in installing over 800 Fibre Channel-based solutions are combined to offer high-performance,
end-to-end network storage solutions. The integration of critical SAN connectivity features such as hubs and switches eliminates
a customer's worry of mixing and matching SAN components and delivers fully functioning SAN environments."
To ensure high levels of data integrity and availability, the Vivant series can be configured with MTI's DataShield volume
mapping. DataShield partitions large storage arrays into smaller logical units that may be assigned to separate servers on a Fibre
Channel-based SAN. This enables storage to be consolidated into a single, easy-to-manage logical storage space that can be
assigned to servers on an as-needed basis. In addition, the technology offers a more secure computing environment by ensuring
that storage dedicated to one host is not reported to any remaining hosts, preventing data corruption and unauthorized data
access.
Data replication for the Vivant network storage server is managed by MTI's powerful DataSentry technology. DataSentry
performs mission-critical tasks in the enterprise, including local and remote mirroring for Y2K compliance testing, offline
decision support, offline data backup protection, disaster recovery and quality-assurance testing. DataSentry protects and
manages corporate data in 24x7 and distributed computing environments providing Continuous Access to Online
Information(SM). The technology can assure the highest levels of data availability while dramatically reducing downtime
associated with system outages at corporate data center facilities. DataSentry is designed to keep mission-critical applications
up and running by providing continuous data access despite a complete failure in a primary server or data storage system.
The initial Vivant family offering consists of three base models described below. All models include hot-swappable disk drives
and redundant, hot-swappable, high-performance RAID controllers, power supplies and fans.
Vivant V10
The entry-level product in the Vivant family, the V10 is designed for smaller enterprise storage requirements. The 40-inch
cabinet version supports up to 1.2TB and the larger 70-inch cabinet can be configured with up to 3TB of storage. Using
hub-based Fibre Channel connection services, storage can be allocated between up to four heterogeneous host systems in a
SAN environment when used with MTI's DataShield volume mapping feature.
Vivant V20
The mid-range Vivant V20 is intended for larger enterprise storage needs. Based on redundant switched Fibre Channel
connections and using MTI's DataShield option, up to 3TB of storage in a single 70-inch cabinet can be divided among up to
10 heterogeneous host systems with redundant connections for higher availability.
Vivant V30
Vivant V30 is aimed at high-end, high-availability data storage requirements in large enterprises. The V30 can be configured
with dual RAID Elements for companies running performance-hungry applications. Storage capacity in its multiple cabinet
configurations can span up to 9.6TB allocated between up to 35 different host systems using redundant Fibre Channel switched
connections.
The Vivant family will support a wide array of open systems operating environments including Hewlett-Packard HP-UX, IBM
AIX, Linux, Microsoft Windows NT, Novell NetWare, SGI IRIX and Sun Solaris. Entry-level pricing starts at $173,000 for a
218GB unit and ranges to just over $1.5 million for a fully configured 9.6TB system. Vivant is now available for shipment 30
days after receipt of order.
About MTI
MTI's mission is to provide Continuous Access to Online Information through fault-tolerant, cross-platform data storage servers
for the enterprise. MTI develops, manufactures, sells and services data server solutions for Global 2000 companies on a
worldwide basis. Headquartered in Anaheim, Calif., the company offers services and support from more than 40 offices in the
U.S. and Europe and complies with ISO 9001 quality system standards. MTI may be reached by phone: 800-999-9MTI or
714-970-0300, fax: 714-693-2256 or e-mail: info@mti.com. Information can also be accessed via MTI Online, the company's
World Wide Web server on the Internet at: www.mti.com.
This press release includes forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the company's product development
plans, which are subject to change. The actual results may differ materially from those described in any forward-looking
statement. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ are set forth in the company's periodic filings with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission including its Form 10-K for the year ended April 3, 1999.
MTI is a registered trademark, Vivant, DataSentry, DataShield and MTI DataServices are trademarks, and Continuous Access
to Online Information is a service mark of MTI Technology Corp. All other company, brand or product names are registered
trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.
SOURCE: MTI Technology Corp.
CONTACT: Media Relations: Kevin J. Liebl, Vice President, Marketing, 714-693-2740, kliebl@mti.com, or Investor Relations: Frank
Yoshino, Treasurer, 714-693-2775, fyoshino@mti.com, both of MTI Technology Corp.; or Kari Garcia of Comm Strategies, 949-753-9292,
kgarcia@commstrategies.com, for MTI Technology Corp. |
