MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 27, 1998--
Reclaims performance edge, debuts first 10/100 64-bit PCI NICs at
32-bit PCI prices
Adaptec, Inc. has begun shipping its first Fast Ethernet network
interface cards (NICs) based on the company's new "DuraLAN" silicon
architecture. Combined with Duralink Software, the DuraLAN NICs bring
increased uptime, enhanced functionality, and greater performance to
heavily-laden and bandwidth-stretched corporate networks.
"Our DuraLAN adapters set a new standard for server-centric NICs
and are our answer to the performance challenge in today's highly
competitive NIC markets," said David Mendenhall, marketing manager for
network products at Adaptec, Inc. "With the industry's first
server-centric Fast Ethernet silicon, and support for Duralink
Software, our DuraLAN NICs offer real-world solutions that solve our
customers' demands for scaleability, robustness, and screaming
performance."
Market need for DuraLAN
NICs have assumed importance in the server computing equation
because of two trends: the migration of mission-critical applications
from mainframes to PC servers running Windows NT, and the
proliferation of networked applications (such as collaborative
computing and Internet/intranet) throughout the enterprise.
Unlike commodity NICs on the market, Adaptec NICs are
specifically designed with server performance, uptime, and resiliency
in mind. They offer hardware and software differentiation (via
multiport NICs and Duralink Software) to optimize server
functionality. This approach to NIC design makes Adaptec NICs an
integral part of server configuration and has created a new evaluation
paradigm for IS departments to consider their NIC purchases.
Additionally, the introduction of 64-bit PCI technology into
servers fuels the need for 64-bit PCI adapters that can reap the
performance benefits of that technology.
About the products
Adaptec's AIC-6915 silicon is the heart of Adaptec's four new
DuraLAN NICs. The ANA-69011/TX and the ANA-62011/TX are both
single-port NICs; the ANA-69011/TX is for 32-bit PCI slots; the
ANA-62011/TX is for 64-bit PCI. The ANA-62022 and the ANA-62044 are
both 64-bit PCI NICs, the former with two ports and the latter with
four ports. The 64-bit PCI NICs also work in 32-bit PCI slots.
Each adapter features autosensing full duplex 10/100 ports
capable of achieving a theoretical maximum performance of 100Mb/s half
duplex or 200 Mb/s full duplex per port. To maximize system efficiency
and allow network "mixing and matching", each port automatically
self-configures for either 10 Mb/s or 100 Mb/s and either half or full
duplex transmissions. To optimize performance, the DuraLAN NICs
feature a total of 8KB per port buffer memory. The new NICs achieves
high data throughput and low CPU utilization, keeping them at the
forefront of Fast Ethernet product performance.
The adapters comply with PCI 2.1 specifications and ship with
driver support for Windows 95 and NT and NetWare with planned support
for SCO UNIXWARE and OpenServer, and OS/2.
The DuraLAN NICs complement Adaptec's existing four-port
(Quartet) Fast Ethernet adapter ANA-6944A, two-port (Duo) Fast
Ethernet adapter ANA-6922A, and Adaptec's broad range of single port
Fast Ethernet adapters.
Pricing and availability
Adaptec's DuraLAN NICs are available now to OEMs and in limited
quantities in normal Adaptec distribution channels. In mid-June 1998,
the products will be widely available around the world. The
ANA-69011/TX has a United States manufacturer's suggested retail price
(MSRP) of $85. The ANA-62011/TX has an MSRP of $99, the ANA-62022 has
an MSRP of $375, and the ANA-62044 has an MSRP of $695. Adaptec is
offering its new 64-bit PCI NICs at its current 32-bit PCI NIC prices.
More information on all Adaptec network adapters and software is
available on the Web at adaptec.com. |
