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To: w2j2 who wrote (12510)	11/17/1997 9:33:00 AM
From: w2j2	Respond to of 29386

From Adaptec: MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1997--Three new Adaptec (NASDAQ:ADPT) array RAID controllers will provide users with a simple and cost-effective way to implement external storage. The new products come in a canister design that fits into any standard 5.25" half height device bay, eliminating the need for custom enclosures or unique storage backplanes. This saves valuable configuration time, makes installation simple, offers flexibility for host system connectivity, and lowers the expenses involved in building external storage solutions. About External Storage Subsystems External storage subsystems are storage arrays -- groups of hard disk drives linked together in redundant fashion -- that are connected to a host system, or server, and provide high availability, performance, and capacity to the end user. The external storage subsystem provides RAID functionality and is connected to the host system via an input/output (I/O) connection of some kind. Historically, that connection has been SCSI, although recently, the I/O connection has evolved to more sophisticated versions of SCSI and/or Fibre Channel. External storage systems allow IS departments to upgrade servers without jeopardizing their existing storage investments. External storage subsystems are popular because they offer increased system availability and capacity, do not burden the host's CPU for RAID processing, and are operating system independent. Three market trends are fueling the demand for external storage: the migration of mission-critical applications to PC servers, which puts new availability and fault tolerant burdens on them; the advent of clustering, which is better served by external storage than by host-based storage; and the rate of change of host server technologies. Because of these trends, external storage subsystems, which are widely used by mainframe and UNIX customers, are now required by Adaptec's PC server customers. "Adaptec's external RAID controllers bring today's faster and more sophisticated system bandwidth solutions to companies that have traditionally shied away from those technologies because of their complexity," said Jim Comstock, marketing manager in the External Storage Subsystems group at Adaptec Inc. "We are working hard to bring the benefits of external storage to more users and to create a new paradigm based on compatibility and ease of use. In effect, we're easing the way for customers to migrate to the next level of computing performance and availability." About Adaptec's External RAID Controllers Adaptec has developed three new products to bridge the gap between a host system's I/O and the external storage subsystem's I/O. They are the AEC-7412B, which connects a 100MB/s fibre channel host interface to the external storage subsystem at a maximum distance of 25m over copper or 10km over fibre wiring; the AEC-4412BS, which connects a single-ended SCSI host system to the external storage subsystem at a maximum distance of 3m; and the AEC-4412BD, which connects a differential SCSI host system to the external storage subsystem at a maximum distance of 25m. Each product supports RAID levels 0, 1, 0/1, 3, and 5, and comes in a canister format that fits standard 5.25" half height device bays. Because Adaptec also offers host system Fibre Channel adapters -- the AHA-F940 and the AHA-F950 -- and SCSI host adapters, users can implement an external storage I/O connection that is exclusively Adaptec and that meets user technology needs on both ends of the wire. This comprehensive connectivity solution is one of Adaptec's unique advantages in the external storage market and allows customers to preserve their existing storage and I/O investments. The new products are also field upgradeable -- the host interface can be changed on site as host systems are upgraded simply by swapping out a field upgradeable daughterboard. This is not only convenient; it also preserves legacy storage investments while allowing customers to experience the benefits of new host system technologies and power, and minimizes costly storage downtime. Adaptec's new products are aimed at mid-range to high-end PC servers based on Wintel platforms, and at the UNIX server market. They complement Adaptec's other RAID products -- the AAA-130 and ARO-1130 product lines -- that provide high-performance, cost-effective RAID for entry-level PC servers and Windows NT PC workstations. Adaptec is working with several storage enclosure manufacturers to certify product compatibility. Channel customers interested in obtaining a detailed compatibility list should contact Adaptec pre-sales support at 1-800/442-7274 or stop by Adaptec's Comdex Las Vegas booth No. L5202. All three products will be available through Adaptec's normal distribution channels in late December 1997. Manufacturer's suggested retail prices begin at $3200.