Bus-Tech Announces NAS Support for The Mainframe Appliance for Storage; New Features Offer Additional Storage Options and Remote Vaulting Capabilities.

Business/Technology Editors

BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 24, 2002

Bus-Tech(TM), Inc., a leading supplier of data center connectivity products, announced today significant enhancements to the Mainframe Appliance for Storage (MAS), a tape-on-disk controller for System/390 mainframes. The MAS now supports Network Attached Storage (NAS), data exchange between mainframes and open-system platforms, and native connectivity to B. I. Moyles EPIC tape management system for VSE.

The MAS has been upgraded with gigabit Ethernet, TCP/IP, and support for network-attached storage. The MAS can now connect with networked storage using either the Network File System (NFS) common to Unix, Linux, and commercial NAS products or the Common Internet File System (CIFS) used by Microsoft Windows 2000 based-servers. Networked storage can be used as the primary data repository for MAS tape volumes, to create point-in-time mirror images of the primary data repository, or as a storage medium for full and incremental backups. Combined with high-speed internet access, the MAS now provides a low-cost alternative for automated Remote Data Vaulting of mainframe data; a critical component of any full-function Disaster Recovery solution.

"Adding NFS/CIFS support to Mainframe Appliance for Storage provides customers valuable new options for incorporating their mainframe into the corporate storage network," said Wayne Lam, Vice President of FalconStor Software. "Customers using FalconStor's IPStor and MAS can leverage their storage infrastructure with high availability and business continuity, and today's announcement gives them more flexibility, especially with IPStor already certified for connection to Mainframe Appliance for Storage using both NFS and CIFS."

Another new feature of the MAS is the ability to exchange data between mainframe and open-system environments. With this announcement, the MAS is now capable of writing or reading a "flat" file format compatible with Windows, Unix, and/or Linux systems. Combined with support for networked disks, flat file data exchange allows the MAS to deliver mainframe data anywhere in the corporate network without the use of expensive specialized mainframe application software.

Connectivity Systems, Inc. has enhanced its EPIC Tape Management System (formerly B.I. Moyles EPIC) to natively support the MAS as an Automated Cartridge Loader (ACL). This native support means BIM-EPIC will automatically control the mounting, unmounting, and scratching of MAS-based tape volumes without the use of VSE-resident utility programs and simplifies the configuration and operation of the MAS in BIM-EPIC environments.

"Connectivity Systems, Inc. is truly excited to have the opportunity to be included in this ground breaking technological advancement." Stated John Rankin President and CEO of CSI, the leading supplier of VSE networking software products. "We are proud to be the first mainframe software vendor to natively support this exciting new offering from Bus-Tech."

The MAS operates as a tape sub-system on IBM's System/390 or zSeries mainframes. The MAS connects directly to System/390 through one or two ESCON attachments and emulates up to 32 IBM 3480 tape drives. Applications running under z/OS, OS/390 or VSE can attach to one of these 3480 drives and use it as they would a real tape drive. But instead of creating or reading real tape cartridges the MAS stores application tape files on SCSI, Fibre Channel, or networked storage. As an enterprise storage offering, the MAS platform consists of dual hot-swappable power supplies and fans in addition to extensive platform management capabilities.

"The ability of the Bus-Tech Mainframe Appliance for Storage to virtually support any open systems storage and standard networking protocols provides many options for getting mainframe data where and when it is needed." said John Webster, senior analyst and Founder of Data Mobility Group. "This is especially important when companies consider the new realities of disaster recovery and business continuation applications. The relatively low cost of the MAS solution can make business continuance and disaster recovery implementations much more affordable to mainframe users."

Future releases of the product will include support for: IBM's new FiCON channel technology, iSCSI for real-time remote data vaulting and SCSI DLT/LTO removable media. The product is generally available from Bus-Tech and its authorized resellers. Prices range from $27,500 to $45,000.

About Bus-Tech, Inc.

Bus-Tech, Inc., founded in 1987 is the industry's leading provider of state-of-the-art connectivity solutions for the data center to Original Equipment Manufacturers. The company's powerful suite of adapter and platform solutions satisfy even the most rugged demands of data processing professionals for high-bandwidth, high-availability and high-performance connectivity. With more than 15,000 installed sites worldwide, Bus-Tech is a recognized leader in the data center interconnect market. Headquartered in Burlington, MA, the company is privately held with locations around the world. For more information about Bus-Tech and its products, please visit the Bus-Tech World Wide Web site at http://www.bustech.com, send email to [e-mail], or call 800-284-3172 or 781-272-8200.