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To: Pigboy who wrote (19612)	12/3/1998 9:38:00 AM
From: Lhn5	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 29386

Microsoft and Compaq Announce Windows 2000 Initiative For System Area Networking REDMOND, Wash., and HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 1998-- Microsoft to Link WinSock API With System Area Network (SAN) Technology Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq:MSFT) and Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:CPQ) today jointly announced an initiative to develop a key architectural building block that will enable enterprise users to readily exploit the advantages of industry-standard system area network-based environments. Microsoft, with significant contributions from Compaq, an industry leader in driving standards-based technology into the enterprise, is launching the WinSock/SAN Open Industry Initiative, which links its popular Windows(R) Socket ("WinSock") application programming interface (API) with the emerging system area network (SAN) interconnect technology. The two companies made the announcement at Microsoft's WinSock/SAN Design Review Conference in Redmond. Using the well-known WinSock APIs to access the SAN interconnects, enterprise customers will be able to use their existing applications and build the infrastructure necessary to combine industry-standard software and hardware components into cost-effective Microsoft(R) Windows 2000 operating system-based distributed systems that deliver enterprise-class performance, scalability and availability. Users will be able to deploy SANs to link their Web or application servers to data for efficient high-bandwidth, low-latency messaging that conserves processor time for application use. High-bandwidth and low-latency interprocess communication (IPC) and network system I/O translate to significant customer benefits, including the ability to have more users on the system, faster response times and higher transaction rates. Also, because of the broad number of applications this initiative enables, customers will be able to preserve their existing investments. Today's announcement highlights the continued close working relationship between Microsoft and Compaq formalized under the Frontline Partnership and is further evidence of the companies' efforts to propel the Microsoft Windows 2000 operating system into a premier role in the enterprise data center. The two companies collaborated previously on a variety of clustering technologies, most recently on the Virtual Interface (VI) Architecture, an industry-standard framework that significantly reduces the protocol overhead in the IPC over SAN interconnects and is an important complement to this new initiative. "The WinSock/SAN initiative is an important building block for further enhancing the already impressive clustering infrastructure of Windows 2000 Advanced Server and Windows 2000 Datacenter Server," said Edmund Muth, group manager for enterprise marketing at Microsoft. "Our mutual customers will benefit from Compaq's expertise in NonStop(R) computing, ServerNet(R) technology and the VI Architecture, and from our shared commitment to standards-based, high-performance clustering." Mike Clark, vice president of Compaq's high availability computing group, said, "The continued cooperation between Compaq and Microsoft has produced great value for our customers, and the WinSock/SAN effort is yet another good example. The WinSock 2 API will be a key enabler for the broad adoption of Windows 2000-based SANs that will help provide enterprise customers with advanced clustering and I/O technologies that were previously available only in proprietary computing environments." WinSock/SAN Link to Benefit Hardware and Software Developers Linking the commonly used WinSock 2 API to SAN interconnects makes thousands of existing applications transparently SAN-ready. As a result, the growth of SAN-based architectures in business-critical environments is expected to accelerate. Now, developers of SAN interconnect hardware can develop interconnects that are WinSock 2 API-compatible by using the SAN infrastructure from Microsoft. In addition, by using the Microsoft infrastructure, hardware vendors will be able to direct the message traffic from WinSock 2 applications to SAN interconnect hardware, bypassing the high-overhead TCP/IP protocol stack. Microsoft is distributing the first version of the specification details at the Design Review Conference. Compaq and Microsoft will also be demonstrating at the Design Review Conference early WinSock/SAN prototypes on Compaq ProLiant servers. WinSock/SAN is expected to be in beta testing as early as next year with release slated to coincide with that of Windows 2000. Microsoft Background Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at microsoft.com on Microsoft's corporate information pages. Compaq Background Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation is a Fortune Global 100 company. Compaq is the second largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of personal computers. Compaq develops and markets hardware, software, solutions and services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, networking and communication products, commercial desktop and portable products, and consumer PCs. The company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly programs and business practices. Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and information about Compaq and its products are available at compaq.com. Compaq, Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. "System area network" and the acronym "SAN" are being used by Compaq as generic descriptive terms and neither is intended to be interpreted as a trademark of Compaq. Third parties are encouraged to use these terms as they are generic and descriptive. Microsoft and Windows are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. CONTACT: Compaq Computer Corporation David Collins, 408-285-9233 david.collins@compaq.com or Waggener Edstrom for Microsoft Colleen Beauregard, 503-245-0905 colleenb@wagged.com KEYWORD: WASHINGTON TEXAS BW1131 DEC 03,1998 6:16 PACIFIC 09:16 EASTERN