Adaptec targets mobile computing market with two new host adapters that relieve problem of system-to-system and peripheral connectivity.MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 1994--Adaptec (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :ADPT ADPT Automated Data Processing/Telecommunications ADPT Adaptec Corporation (stock symbol) ADPT Adaptive Prediction ADPT Auger Depth Profiling Technique ADPT Automated Data Processing Telecommunications ADPT Adapter ), a market leader in input/output (I/O (Input/Output) The transfer of data between the CPU and a peripheral device. Every transfer is an output from one device and an input to another. See PC input/output. I/O - Input/Output ) technology, Monday introduced the second generation of its popular portable host adapter Also called a "controller" or "host bus adapter," it is a device that connects one or more peripheral units to a computer. It is typically an expansion card that plugs into the bus. IDE and SCSI are examples of peripheral interfaces that call their controllers host adapters. See host. , SlimSCSI APA-1460, a high performance Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (body, hardware, standard) Personal Computer Memory Card International Association - (PCMCIA, or "PC Card") An international trade association and the standards they have developed for devicies, such as modems and external hard disk drives, that can be plugged into notebook (PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, San Jose, CA, www.pcmcia.org) An international standards body and trade association that was founded in 1989 to establish a standard for connecting peripherals to portable computers. PCMCIA created the PC Card. See PC Card. )-to-Fast SCSI SCSI in full Small Computer System Interface Once common standard for connecting peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, etc.) to small and medium-sized computers. SCSI has given way to faster standards, such as Firewire and USB. 16-bit host adapter. Adaptec also announced a brand new PCMCIA desktop personal computer (PC) adapter, CardPark APA-4510. The products are an extension of Adaptec's current line of portable solutions, and focus on providing system-to-system and peripheral connectivity solutions, I/O problems that often plague mobile computing Using a computing device while in transit. Mobile computing implies wireless transmission, but wireless transmission does not necessarily imply mobile computing. Fixed wireless applications use satellites, radio systems and lasers to transmit between permanent objects such as buildings professionals. The SlimSCSI APA-1460 provides PCMCIA portable users with a complete I/O solution including maximum Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) reliability, instant high performance peripheral connectivity of up to seven SCSI-2 devices, and Adaptec's EZ-SCSI software for ease of use and installation. The new SlimSCSI adapter delivers industry standard SCSI reliability and easy peripheral connectivity which give users a low cost docking station (1) A cradle for a portable device that serves to charge the unit and connect it to other sources or destinations. For example, an iPod docking station charges the iPod and connects it to a computer, speakers or TV set. solution. Adaptec's CardPark APA-4510 product adapts PCMCIA to the desktop computer by providing a universal PCMCIA interface to the Industry Standard Architecture (ISA (1) (Instruction Set Architecture) See instruction set. (2) (Interactive Services Association) See Internet Alliance. (3) (Internet Security and Acceleration) See .NET. ) bus for desktop computers. The CardPark adapter is a PC add-on solution that allows virtually any desktop computer to have two PCMCIA sockets, which are conveniently located in a 3.5 inch front panel. This dual slot adapter allows users to install the same software solution in both their desktop PC and their portable computer as PCMCIA cards are swapped back and forth effortlessly. SlimSCSI provides maximum connectivity The new SlimSCSI adapter allows end users and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to attach a wide variety of SCSI peripherals such as CD-ROMs, hard disk drives, HP scanners, SyQuest, Bernoulli, Floptical and SCSI tape drives to their portable computers. In addition, the new SlimSCSI adapter achieves Fast SCSI A SCSI interface that transfers at 10 Mbytes/sec rather than 5 Mbytes/sec. The maximum cable length is 9.8 feet. See SCSI. (hardware) Fast SCSI - A variant on the SCSI-2 bus. It uses the same 8-bit bus as the original SCSI-1 but runs at up to 10MB/s - double the speed of SCSI-1. speeds of up to 10 Mbytes/sec. Adaptec applied its extensive SCSI design expertise to the new SlimSCSI adapter providing a fully shielded cable A shielded cable is an electrical cable of one or more insulated conductors enclosed by a common conductive layer. The shield may be composed of braided strands of copper (or other metal), a non-braided spiral winding of copper tape, or a layer of conducting polymer. and connector. This results in superior data integrity and maximum reliability. Many 16-bit adapters available today use lower quality SCSI cables, which often results in the need to use ferrite beads and shorter cable lengths to reduce data integrity problems. "Adaptec is regarded as the design pioneer and market leader in SCSI," said Matt Cuson, marketing manager of Portable Products for Adaptec's Personal I/O Business Unit. "We take this responsibility quite seriously when designing products. As a result, we test all our products extensively. The SlimSCSI APA-1460 product has been thoroughly tested for rigorous compatibility and stress testing Determining the durability of a system by pushing it to its limits. Stress testing a network is performed by transmitting excessive numbers of packets or attempting to break in illegally. to ensure users receive the data integrity, quick connectivity and value they require." In addition, the new SlimSCSI adapter offers added strength and durability with its ultra-rugged, sonic welded card case with thick metals lids. This dent resistant casing protects internal components under harsh conditions often encountered by mobile professionals. SlimSCSI ease of use features Everything needed for installation is provided in the new SlimSCSI APA-1460 kit -- the APA-1460 host adapter and cable, Adaptec EZ-SCSI software, Cardsoft Card and Socket Services Low-level software that manages a PC Card controller. See PC Card. , installation guide and documentation. The simple, menu-driven Adaptec EZ-SCSI software takes users step-by-step through the DOS/Windows installation process. Also, the SlimSCSI adapter's two-piece design allows users to leave the product in place in the PCMCIA slot and remove only the external cable for added carrying convenience. The enhanced SlimSCSI product offers the most complete package of features in one PCMCIA-to-Fast SCSI-2 host adapter product and is similar to the first generation SlimSCSI product in size. However, its improved design takes advantage of the performance and power-saving features of Adaptec's AIC-6360 single chip SCSI solution. Now portable users can access valuable data longer on each battery charge. CardPark adds connectivity and flexibility Adaptec's CardPark PCMCIA desktop adapter brings the benefits of PCMCIA to the desktop PC. The CardPark desktop adapter allows mobile professionals to use the same plug-in PCMCIA storage, fax/modem, LAN (Local Area Network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. The "clients" are the user's workstations typically running Windows, although Mac and Linux clients are also used. , and SCSI cards in both their portable and desktop PCs -- eliminating the need to purchase additional cards that serve the same function. Now portable users can swap the PCMCIA storage cards from their portable PCs to their CardPark adapter and immediately begin to work where they left off with instant access to the latest version of files. The CardPark desktop adapter is an ideal system-to-system solution for file transfer applications such as field force automation, desktop and multimedia publishing, and engineering consulting. For example, in field force automation, information collected in the field can be easily transferred and accessed on a desktop computer. In addition, by using a high-capacity PCMCIA hard disk or flash memory card, users are able to quickly transfer files and database information between their portable and desktop PC. The CardPark desktop adapter also makes keeping data secure an easy task; users can either keep their data with them or lock it up. The CardPark product also delivers maximum flexibility and convenience by providing two PCMCIA connectors in a wider slot opening. This slot can accommodate any combination of Type I and II cards, or any type I or type II card with one type III card See PC Card. , including the use of a Type III hard disk and another type II card at the same time. CardPark Ease of Use Features The CardPark adapter comes with complete Windows-based software for easy management of your adapter slots. All you need to do is load the CardPark software, insert your PCMCIA cards into the CardPark slots and you are ready to begin. The CardPark software will display PCMCIA card types and facts about cards upon insertion, and will clear the display once the cards are removed. In addition, the CardPark adapter is installed in the front panel of a PC for quick access to slots. The CardPark kit comes complete with an ISA-to-PCMCIA controller host adapter; dual-slot 3.5 inch front panel PCMCIA card adapter with 18 inch cables; a 5.25 inch drive bay frame; CardPark software; and all necessary documentation. Pricing and Availability The new SlimSCSI APA-1460 host adapter will be available in December 1994 to distributors and resellers worldwide at a suggested retail price of $299. The CardPark desktop PC adapter is available now to distributors and resellers worldwide at a suggested retail price of $229. Adaptec Inc. (NASDAQ:ADPT) designs, manufactures and markets IOware product solutions such as Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) host adapter boards, chips and software for personal computers, proprietary SCSI and EIDE/IDE VLSI VLSI: see integrated circuit. (1) (Very Large Scale Integration) Between 100,000 and one million transistors on a chip. See SSI, MSI, LSI and ULSI. (2) (VLSI Technology, Inc., Tempe, AZ, www.semiconductors. circuits. Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Milpitas, Adaptec is recognized as the design pioneer and market leader in SCSI and I/O technology and is the developer of the industry-standard I/O operating environment, ASPI (Advanced SCSI Programming Interface) An interface specification developed by Adaptec, Inc., Milpitas, CA, that provides a common language between drivers and SCSI host adapters. . Adaptec currently employs approximately 1,700 people, who serve customers worldwide. For product information, call 1-800/934-2766 (Literature) or 1-800/959-SCSI (Presales). -0- Note to Editors: SlimSCSI, CardPark, Adaptec, EZ-SCSI and IOware are trademarks of Adaptec Inc., which may be registered in some jurisdictions. All other trademarks used are owned by their respective owners. CONTACT: Adaptec Inc., Milpitas Deanna L. Perez, 408/957-7816 |
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