BC Cancer Agency Implements Network Appliance Storage Solution to Manage and Protect Critical Research Data.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. & MISSISSAUGA, Ontario -- Data Protection, Scalability, and Low Cost Critical to Ongoing Cancer Research Projects

BC Cancer Research Centre, the internationally recognized bioinformatics research arm of Canada's BC Cancer Agency, has implemented NetApp(R) enterprise storage solutions to better manage its ever-expanding databases, provide critical data access and recovery, as well as reduce technology infrastructure costs. The independent research conducted at the BC Cancer Agency is part of a growing pool of data made available to the international scientific community, where continuous uptime and access to information are vital.

The BC Cancer Agency's research focuses on reducing the incidence of cancer and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer through intensive scientific research at the molecular level called bioinformatics. Bioinformatics is the science of developing computer databases to facilitate biological research. The BC Cancer Agency chose NetApp as its storage provider in order to achieve the security, scalability, and high availability it requires when supporting its research data.

Protection, Backup, and Access

Finding a flexible means of allocating and managing storage without disruption was essential to the numerous ongoing genome sequencing projects. At any given point, the BC Cancer Agency team will have numerous genome mapping and DNA sequencing projects running in a Linux(R) environment. The Agency deployed the NetApp FAS960 enterprise data storage system to manage over 16 terabytes of vital information created by a project team of 200 research collaborators. Additionally, a NearStore(R) system was implemented to protect and provide backup and restore capabilities as well as rapid access to information. The performance provided by NetApp gives BC Cancer Agency a distinct advantage by letting it keep up with the needs of its scientists, and the NearStore system offers cost-effective access to information and data security in the event of a problem.

"Since our research produces a vast amount of data, we needed a storage solution that allows us to go about the business of genomics and bioinformatics without the worries of data loss or accessibility," said Mark Mayo, Systems Coordinator, BC Cancer Agency. "We were recently in a situation where we came close to full capacity; before NetApp solutions were deployed this would have been an issue. Instead, our FAS960 allowed us to install an additional two-terabyte shelf without a second of downtime or any risk to the data itself."

"Using Network Appliance solutions, BC Cancer Agency also benefits from a knowledgeable and responsive support team," said Benny Cifelli, District Manager, Network Appliance Canada. "While ease-of-use and self-sufficiency are vital features, BC Cancer Agency can also rely on the NetApp AutoSupport system and certified personnel to continuously monitor the overall health of their storage solution."

As BC Cancer Agency's data volumes increase, NetApp will continue to work with them to manage their infrastructure in order to sufficiently meet their needs. Network Appliance(TM) and BC Cancer Agency are also working on incorporating iSCSI capabilities into the solution for added scalability and flexibility.

About BC Cancer Agency

The BC Cancer Agency, a member of the Provincial Health Services Authority, has a mandate to reduce the incidence of cancer, to reduce cancer mortality, and to improve the quality of life of those living with cancer. Research at the BCCA plays an important part in improving cancer control by generating new knowledge.

About Network Appliance

Network Appliance (Nasdaq:NTAP) is a world leader in unified storage solutions for today's data-intensive enterprise. Since its inception in 1992, Network Appliance has delivered technology, product, and partner firsts that continue to drive "The evolution of storage.(TM)" Information about Network Appliance solutions and services is available at www.netapp.com.

NetApp, the Network Appliance logo, and NearStore are registered trademarks and Network Appliance and The evolution of storage are trademarks of Network Appliance, Inc., in the U.S. and other countries. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and should be treated as such.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The statement regarding incorporating iSCSI capabilities into the solution is a forward-looking statement within the means of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include any statement regarding future events or the future financial performance of Network Appliance, Inc. that involves risks or uncertainties. In evaluating these statements, readers should specifically consider various factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated, including without limitation: continuing decline in the general economic conditions, customer demand for products and services, customer acceptance of product architectures, increased competition, and other important factors as described in Network Appliance, Inc. reports and documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its mostly recently submitted 10-K and 10-Q.