Aduva Introduces First Complete Software Technology to Maintain Linux System Reliability.

Business Editors

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2001

Aduva Director(TM) Network-Based Service Automates Management of

Multi-System Linux Networks

Aduva, Inc. today announced the introduction of the Aduva Director, a network-based solution that automates the system management of multiple, networked Linux systems. The solution was designed specifically for multi-system, commercial Linux users regardless of installation size or heterogeneity. It addresses the growing need for critical system management tasks such as upgrades, patches and new hardware driver and software installations to ensure system reliability and component compatibility.

The central foundation of the Aduva Director is the Aduva Knowledge Base(TM). The Knowledge Base includes conflict and dependency information on hardware driver, software, and kernel module components for Linux systems. This repository continually grows and is updated based on new products, upgrades, patches, security notices and other developments in the Linux community.

"The Knowledge Base is the most comprehensive repository of component information available in the Linux world today," said Ury Segal, Chief Technology Officer of Aduva. "Until now there has been no fully automated system management service for Linux users. With the introduction of the Aduva Knowledge Base, Linux users now have a centralized, secure and reliable solution that significantly reduces the time required to maintain multi-system Linux networks."

The Aduva Research Team constantly searches the Linux world for new products, patches and security notices. Identified components are continually tested in Aduva's highly automated Certification Lab. Once a component has been fully tested and certified, the applicable rules are entered in the Aduva Knowledge Base. The component also becomes part of the Aduva Component Library, making it accessible to all users of the Aduva solution.

The Aduva Director software is installed on the system's central administration server. A local software client is also installed on each individual system in the network. The local software client maintains an up-to-date inventory and profile of all hardware, software and kernel module components and makes this information available to the system administrator. No user information is sent to Aduva so the solution is totally secure.

Benefits of the Aduva Director include:

-- Saves Time and Cost - The Aduva Director saves the time and effort required
to research, download and install patches, upgrades or new application
software, kernel modules and hardware drivers. This dramatically reduces the
cost of system management.

-- Multiple System Support - The Aduva Director can simultaneously apply any
operation across an entire network, a subset of it, or a single system.

-- Security -- Communications with the Aduva Server are encrypted and
authenticated. The session with Aduva's server is initiated by the Director,
not by an incoming call. The optional Aduva Proxy Server may be deployed at the
customer's site to virtually eliminate external Internet communications and
keep all interactions within the firewall.

-- Privacy - All processing is performed at the user's system. No information
about the user's system is passed outside.

-- Complete Control - The system administrator initiates the actions and
schedules the Director jobs. Although the Aduva Director suggests the most
effective action, it waits for the system administrator's approval prior to
carrying it out.

To learn more about the Aduva Director, visit www.aduva.com.

About Aduva

Aduva is the leader in network-based, automated system management. Because it reduces the time and expertise level required to successfully maintain even large-scale Linux installations, Aduva significantly lowers the barriers preventing widespread adoption of the powerful, cost-effective Linux operating system.

Aduva employees are active members of the Linux community. The company was founded in October 1999 and currently has approximately 75 total employees. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Aduva is a privately held international firm with offices in the US and Israel.