Amdahl and Microsoft Collaborate to Achieve Industry's Fastest Microsoft NT Server to Mainframe Throughput with SNA Server.SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 1996--Amdahl Corporation and Microsoft Corporation (company) Microsoft Corporation - The biggest supplier of operating systems and other software for IBM PC compatibles. Software products include MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows, Windows NT, Microsoft Access, LAN Manager, MS Client, SQL Server, Open Data Base Connectivity (ODBC), MS Mail, announced today that they have achieved unprecedented throughput for direct ESCON (Enterprise Systems CONnection) An IBM S/390 fiber-optic channel that transfers 17 Mbytes/sec over distances up to 60 km depending on connection type. ESCON allows peripheral devices to be located across large campuses and metropolitan areas. channel connection between the Microsoft(R) Windows NT (Windows New Technology) A 32-bit operating system from Microsoft for Intel x86 CPUs. NT is the core technology in Windows 2000 and Windows XP (see Windows). Available in separate client and server versions, it includes built-in networking and preemptive multitasking. (R) Server network operating system An operating system that is designed for network use. Normally, it is a complete operating system with file, task and job management; however, with some earlier products, it was a separate component that ran under the OS; for example, LAN Server required OS/2, and LANtastic required DOS. and a mainframe. The companies achieved throughput rates of 4.8 MB per second between an Amdahl EnVista(TM) enterprise server and an System/390 mainframe using Microsoft SNA (Systems Network Architecture) IBM's mainframe network standards introduced in 1974. Originally a centralized architecture with a host computer controlling many terminals, enhancements, such as APPN and APPC (LU 6. Server 2.11 software and Polaris Communications' ESCON PCI (1) (Payment Card Industry) See PCI DSS. (2) (Peripheral Component Interconnect) The most widely used I/O bus (peripheral bus). adaptor. Amdahl announced its new EnVista family of enterprise servers in a separate announcement today. "The significant enhancement to throughput that we've achieved allows our customers to realize more efficient, enterprise-wide client access to mainframe data," said Dave Anderson, chief technical officer for Amdahl Corporation. "Since no front-end processor is required, costs are significantly lower." "Microsoft has worked closely with Amdahl and Polaris to optimize the performance of SNA Server," said Vesa Suomalainen, general manager of the SNA Server product unit at Microsoft. "This integrated hardware/software product offers the highest performance ESCON connection available today from any Windows NT-based platform." EnVista Enterprise Connectivity EnVista Channel for ESCON is a high-performance bridge to mainframe data, providing a direct connection from EnVista enterprise servers to S/390 mainframes. The ESCON channel works with Microsoft SNA Server to provide fast, easy and economical access to mainframe applications from LAN-based PCs and servers. EnVista Channel for ESCON emulates multiple channel controller protocols and can support thousands of client connections. Amdahl is currently offering 3174 emulation for SNA support. Future releases will include 3172 emulation for TCP/IP TCP/IP in full Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol Standard Internet communications protocols that allow digital computers to communicate over long distances. support and 3490 tape emulation for bulk transfer support. EnVista Gateway for DW/DSS facilitates downloading of bulk data from central mainframes to data warehousing and decision-support systems located on servers. EnVista Gateway for DW/DSS speeds data transport by utilizing the ESCON channel option in either SNA or 3490 emulation. Microsoft SNA Server Using advanced client/server architecture, Microsoft SNA Server offloads the communications processing from host computers and desktop PCs. Each PC uses a standard 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. protocol to connect to one or more servers; SNA Server then connects to S/390 mainframes using SNA protocols. SNA Server supports up to 2,000 clients and 10,000 host sessions, offers hot backup and load balancing, and comes with advanced tools for easy system set up and centralized graphical administration. A key component of the Microsoft BackOffice(TM) family of products, SNA Server takes full advantage of the Windows NT Server network operating system to deliver the power, scalability and security of this robust platform. SNA Server has won several recent reviews and awards including PC Week's Corporate IT Excellence Award (April 1996), LAN Magazine's Host Connectivity Product of the Year Award (March 1996), PC Magazine's Editor's Choice (August 1995) and Internetwork Magazine's Standards Achievement Award (October 1995). Amdahl offers the Microsoft BackOffice family of products on its newly announced line of EnVista enterprise servers. About Amdahl Corporation Amdahl (AMEX AMEX See: American Stock Exchange :AMH AMH Abington Memorial Hospital (Abington, PA) AMH Anti-Müllerian Hormone AMH Australian Medicines Handbook AMH Automated Material Handling AMH Aviation Structural Mechanic (Hydraulics) US Navy Rating ) provides enterprise computing solutions designed to meet the needs of the leading, most computing-intensive corporations around the world. Amdahl offerings include large-scale System/390 compatible processors, distributed systems management software and enterprise servers, data storage subsystems, applications development software and development environments. Amdahl and its subsidiaries provide professional and operational consulting services that help clients gain a competitive advantage in their industries. About Microsoft Corporation Founded in 1975, Microsoft (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 "MSFT MSFT Microsoft (stock symbol) MSFT Movimento Sociale Fiamma Tricolore (Italy) MSFT Multi-Stage Fitness Test MSFT Master of Science in Family Therapy MSFT Macalester Students for Fair Trade ") 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. -0- Note to Editors: Amdahl is a registered trademark and EnVista is a trademark of Amdahl Corporation. Microsoft, Windows NT and BackOffice are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. UNIX UNIX Operating system for digital computers, developed by Ken Thompson of Bell Laboratories in 1969. It was initially designed for a single user (the name was a pun on the earlier operating system Multics). is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Ltd. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. CONTACT: Amdahl Corp. Catherine Edwards, 408/992-3216 catherine.edwards@amail.amdahl.com or The Benjamin Group Christian DeNike, 408/559-6090 cdenike@sv.tbgi.com |
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