Adaptec Announces EtherStorage Technology
Storage over Ethernet to be demonstrated at Networld+Interop, May 9-11, Adaptec Booth #533
MILPITAS, Calif., - May 4, 2000 - Adaptec, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADPT), the
global leader in innovative storage solutions, today announced
EtherStorage. This new technology enables block-based storage traffic
to be efficiently and reliably transferred over existing IP and
Ethernet-based networks, and is the result of over two years of research
and development at Adaptec on future storage fabric architectures.
Because EtherStorage leverages the existing Ethernet infrastructure
and provides storage levels of performance, it is a major step forward in
bringing the benefits of SANs to a broader market.
"IT managers are rapidly embracing SANs as the solution for managing
exploding storage capacity and solving backup issues. Fibre Channel
has really caught on," said Robert Gray, Research Director, Storage
Systems at International Data Corporation. "The next market expansion
phase depends on reaching the broader market. Adaptec's
EtherStorage with significantly lower price points and familiar Ethernet
foundation is a complementary inter-connect technology. We believe
EtherStorage will accelerate SAN adoption in price-sensitive segments
of the market."
"The explosion of data storage requirements is driving the need for
storage networking solutions," said Faye Pairman, vice-president of
Adaptec's Storage Networking Solutions group. "Adaptec is committed
to being a leader in the new storage fabric world, and EtherStorage is a
key part of that leadership."
Storage Fabric Leadership
The EtherStorage technology announcement follows Adaptec's recent
formation of the Storage Networking Solutions Group. The group is
focused on bringing new storage fabric technologies and external
storage products to market. Storage fabric solutions provide customers
with a lower cost of management, increased data availability, and higher
levels of performance and scalability. Adaptec is committed to providing
the best storage fabric products for a wide range of customer
environments and is developing Fibre Channel, Infiniband, and
EtherStorage-based solutions to meet their diverse needs.
EtherStorage Leverages Ethernet Infrastructure
Because EtherStorage runs over Ethernet and IP, it retains all the
existing networking, interoperability, manageability, compatibility, and
cost advantages that have made Ethernet so successful. Customers
will now be able to use inexpensive, readily available Ethernet switches,
hubs, and cables to implement low cost, low risk, EtherStorage based
SANs. In addition, EtherStorage will leverage future advances in
Ethernet performance and features.
EtherStorage Provides Storage Levels of Performance
Today's storage applications require performance well in excess of 100
Megabytes per second with low latency and low CPU utilization.
EtherStorage was designed specifically to support these types of
environments and will achieve the maximum bandwidth offered by a
Gigabit Ethernet pipe with a latency and CPU utilization similar to SCSI
or Fibre Channel.
Adaptec will Demonstrate EtherStorage at
Networld+Interop
EtherStorage technology will be demonstrated at Networld+Interop in
Las Vegas, May 9 through May 11, at the Adaptec Booth #533 in the
North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future
events or the future performance of Adaptec. Actual events or results
could, of course, differ materially. Various factors could adversely affect
Adaptec's results of operations in the future including competitive
pricing or marketing pressures; changes in technological standards' its
dependence on the high-performance computer, server and software
markets; dependence on wafer suppliers and other subcontractors;
issues related to distributors; certain risks associated with acquisitions
of other companies or businesses that the company may make from
time to time; certain risks associated with alliances into which the
company enters; dependence on key personnel; risks associated with
international operations; risks associated with implementation and
utilization of new systems; and risks associated with intellectual
property or general economic downturns. For a more complete
discussion of these factors, please refer to the business section of the
company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March
31, 1999 and the company's other public filings it makes from time to
time.
About Adaptec:
Adaptec makes products and solutions that move, transfer, manage and protect valuable
data that is the heart of Internet and e-business computing. Adaptec's hardware and
software products are found in high-performance servers and workstations from the
world's leading manufacturers, and are sold through distribution channels to enterprises,
medium and small businesses, and consumers. With a range of host I/O, RAID and CD
recording software products, Adaptec is a market leader in storage and digital content
solutions, and a powerful enabler of today's information age. Adaptec is an S&P 500
and a NASDAQ 100 member. More information is available at adaptec.com |
