Here is latest on new CIFS release from NTAP. This is a set of capabilities that represent the final, and critical touches to NTAP's ability to support Windows files. This release is many months late, as far as the sales force is concerned, and will open up the doors of NT sys admins, who were reluctant to look at a filer that did not behave the same as an NT box, as far as sys admin tools and file level security are concerned:
Network Appliance Delivers New Version of Windows/UNIX Data-Sharing Software for File Server Appliance
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--
Advances Native Cross-Platform File Sharing, Manageability,
Reliability for Enterprise Network Environments
Network Appliance Inc. (NASDAQ:NTAP), the leading provider of dedicated data-access and storage appliances, today announced the immediate availability of Windows Networking software 3.0 for the company's file server appliances, known as "filers."
The new version provides enterprise IT managers with the highest-performance, multiprotocol data infrastructure solution for the most effective data management across a mixed UNIX-NT enterprise network.
Windows Networking software 3.0, delivered with Network Appliance's(TM) (NetApp(R)) Data ONTAP(TM) operating software, provides native Windows(R) NT file and directory permissions and support for native Windows NT administration tools and backup utilities. Unlike other solutions that cannot provide the level of locking integration required for guaranteed safe data sharing, NetApp's Windows Networking software gives superior data protection in heterogeneous client operating environments while users benefit from industry-leading Windows file sharing performance and server manageability.
"We estimate that 90 percent of all distributed systems enterprises will be dependent on both UNIX and Windows NT by 2000," said Jay Bretzmann, vice president/worldwide systems research at IDC. Other industry research indicates that currently approximately 30 percent of administrators share files between UNIX and Windows NT platforms.
"In today's mixed-platform world, mission-critical data management requires cross-platform, multi-protocol solutions with the highest levels of interoperability and reliability," said Charlie Simmons, vice president of marketing of NetApp. "As the storage industry shifts from shared storage to shared files, NetApp is the only vendor to enable true file system sharing, with a highly scalable but remarkably simple approach. As a result, we're fundamentally enhancing our customers' performance, increasing productivity and - ultimately reducing costs."
Robust Reliability and Enhanced Data Integrity
With Windows Networking software version 3.0, NetApp extends its SecureShare(TM) technology to support not only industry-leading multiprotocol file locking but also native Windows NT file and directory permissions. As a result, customers receive fully integrated security on a single server and a true choice of security style: UNIX, NT or mixed. All data remains accessible to all users, regardless of the security style chosen. The secure file system ensures data integrity and gives users the critical reliability required in enterprise IT computing environments, as well as better data management due to familiar security models.
"The Nicholas Applegate environment requires intelligent cross- platform, multiprotocol data management solutions -- and that's where NetApp sets the standard," said David Buckley, manager of UNIX Systems at Nicholas Applegate. "We have deployed six NetApp file servers in a mixed UNIX/NT environment for more than two years, supporting real-time market data and enterprise messaging applications. NetApp consistently delivers high performance and availability, which translates into measurable productivity benefits."
"Windows Networking software version 3.0 has made a big difference in our ability to serve both UNIX and Windows clients from a single platform," said James Wallas, system administrator for Siemens, Boca Raton, Fla. "The ability to choose between UNIX and Windows NT file permissions within the same file system and know that, whatever security style I choose, the data is still accessible to both UNIX and Windows users gives me the flexibility I need to make the best use of my disk space."
Increased Manageability and Simplicity
Windows Networking software version 3.0 supports native Windows NT Server Manager and User Manager, providing Windows-oriented administrators with familiar tools for a shorter learning curve and easier filer administration. With new support for Windows NT backup utilities, administrators can now use Windows NT-based backup and restore tools that back up both UNIX and Windows data over the network. Additionally, version 3.0 takes a step toward full internationalization with improved support for non-US character sets for Windows users using languages other than English.
About Data ONTAP
NetApp filers' Data ONTAP (Open Network Technology for Appliance Products) provides simultaneous, high-speed access to multiple native data formats, including NFS, CIFS (Windows Networking) and HTTP (Web). Data ONTAP's architecture uses an innovative file system called WAFL(TM) (Write Anywhere File Layout), a log-structured file system, to accelerate write operations to the disk. A significant benefit of the WAFL file system is that it accumulates a number of write operations and transfers all of them simultaneously to disks.
In addition, Data ONTAP tightly integrates a high-performance file system with RAID-4 (Redundant Array of Independent Disks, Level 4) technology to provide an optimal combination of performance, data safety and availability. NetApp's RAID technology enables users to benefit from faster application performance independent of the read- write mix. While many vendors deploy RAID-5 at the expense of performance in a write-intensive environment, the NetApp filer family is able to combine the reliability of RAID with high performance. Data ONTAP is also compatible with the NDMP data management protocol.
Price and Availability
Windows Networking software 3.0 is shipping immediately as part of Data ONTAP 5.1. Pricing is determined by which NetApp filer model is purchased and includes unlimited client licenses per filer. The product is available directly from NetApp (new sales inquiries call 800/44-FILER; current customers call 888/2-NETAPP) and through industry VARs and resellers.
About Network Appliance
Network Appliance, a veteran in network filing and caching, has been providing Internet solutions for over five years. Major corporations and ISPs, including Citicorp Securities, Siemens, Lockheed, Cisco, AOL, Motorola and Texas Instruments have deployed NetApp appliance solutions. Network Appliance develops and markets dedicated network storage servers for UNIX, Windows and the World Wide Web. These appliances deliver fast, simple, reliable and cost-effective access to data stored on the network or across the Internet. The company pioneered the concept of the "network appliance," an extension of the industry trend toward dedicated, specialized products that perform a single function. Network Appliance filers and NetCache(TM) appliances are based on the company's innovative data access software known as Data ONTAP and standards-compliant hardware. More information is available on the Internet at netapp.com.
Note to Editors: NetApp is a registered trademark and Network Appliance, Data ONTAP, NetCache, SecureShare, Snapshot, and WAFL are trademarks of Network Appliance Inc. All other brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and should be treated as such.
CONTACT: Network Appliance Inc.
Linda Segervall, 408/367-3010
lindas@netapp.com
or
InterActive Public Relations Inc.
Amy Grady/Robbie Mascotte
415/703-0400 ext. 227/275
amy_grady@ipri.com
robbie_mascotte@ipri.com
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