CMS Enhancements launches new plug-and-play CD-ROM server; high-performance, RISC-based server provides faster, easier access to CD-ROM resources.ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 7, 1996--CMS Enhancements Inc. on Wednesday announced the Eclipse Family of CD-ROM Server A CD-ROM reader designed for network use. It can be configured as a tower or jukebox. Towers contain several drives, and each drive holds one CD-ROM. Jukeboxes hold from a couple dozen to hundreds of discs, but have only a small number of drives. Towers, first in a series of plug-and-play network storage products from this leading mass-storage solutions provider. The new Eclipse CD-ROM Server Tower is an easy-to-use, direct network-attach server featuring seven quad-speed CD-ROM drives CD-ROM drives, which today typically means a CD-RW drive that is a combo CD-ROM, CD-R and CD-RW drive, come in a variety of speeds. The original drive (1x) transferred data at 150KB per second. . The server provides unprecedented flexibility, supporting popular network operating systems, including NetWare, NFS (Network File System) The file sharing protocol in a Unix network. This de facto Unix standard, which is widely known as a "distributed file system," was developed by Sun. See file sharing protocol and WebNFS. NFS - Network File System , 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. , OS/2 LAN Manager (1) A network operating system from Microsoft that runs as a server application under OS/2. It supports DOS, Windows and OS/2 clients. LAN Manager was superseded by Windows NT Server, and many parts of LAN Manager are used in Windows NT and 2000. See LAN Server. and IBM LAN Server IBM LAN Server started as a close cousin of Microsoft LAN Manager and first shipped in early 1988. It was originally designed to run on top of Operating System/2 Extended Edition. The network client was called IBM LAN Requester and was included with OS/2 EE 1.1 by default. . The innovative engineering design of the new Eclipse CD Tower Server features an on-board RISC processor RISC processor [Reduced Instruction Set Computer], computer arithmetic-logic unit that uses a minimal instruction set, emphasizing the instructions used most often and optimizing them for the fastest possible execution. , eliminating the need for a dedicated PC server. The result is a high-performance solution that minimizes network traffic and provides faster, easier access to large volumes of CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). based information and resources through the network. Previous solutions required separate PC-based file servers for different network operating systems. "The new design incorporates embedded multiple-protocol firmware, which eliminates the need for specialized preconfigurations," explained Chuck Brower, director of engineering for CMS (1) See content management system and color management system. (2) (Conversational Monitor System) Software that provides interactive communications for IBM's VM operating system. Enhancements. "No NLMs, TSRs or software installation of any kind are required. This provides true plug-and-play operation." An on-board dedicated RISC-based microserver provides high-speed CD access at low cost. Cost of ownership is further reduced by the quick installation, elimination of any need for network server downtime and elimination of the necessity for user training. An additional benefit is ease of management for system administrators. The Eclipse CD Tower supports standard network protocols and appears to clients as a standard network server. "Users can upgrade or modify their client application and OS software without the need to make any changes to the Eclipse CD Tower; they just turn it on, connect it and use it," Brower said. New Generation of Plug-and-Play Network Storage Solutions Designed for a variety of applications, the Eclipse CD Server Tower is the optimum solution for storing and retrieving all kinds of data, including reference material and database records, as well as software and multimedia applications. Accounting firms, legal, medical and other professional libraries, as well as education and government agencies, represent the growing number of organizations that are adopting CD-ROM as the storage medium of choice. The Eclipse CD Tower Server is also an ideal solution for workgroups, departmental and small business LANs who up until now haven't had a viable alternative to high-end, enterprisewide solutions that typically cost upward of tens of thousands of dollars. "CD-ROM provides capacity and ease of use that other storage options don't offer," said Ken Burke, senior vice president and general manager of CMS Enhancements. "Many organizations with large volumes of data are transferring that data from paper or microfiche Pronounced "micro-feesh." A 4x6" sheet of film that holds several hundred miniaturized document pages. See micrographics. onto CD-ROM. The information can then be shared through the CD Server Tower." Similarly, for those companies using document imaging for electronic storage and distribution of information, the CD Server Tower provides efficient image storage that is easily accessible. Burke added that the Eclipse CD Server Tower, with support for multiple-network environments built into one product, provides a simple, versatile and easy-to-install network storage solution for resellers who appreciate the convenience of a single SKU (StockKeeping Unit) The number of one specific product available for sale. If a hardware device or software package comes in different versions, there is an SKU for each one. SKU - stock-keeping unit . "We are committed to developing a wide range of storage solutions for portable, desktop and network users," Burke explained. "From our well-received portable CD-ROM drive to notebook hard drives to network storage, CMS has products addressing a wide range of needs." High-Performance Features for Popular Networks Seven quad-speed CD-ROM drives provide instant access to 4.4GB of data via simultaneous, seamless integration with NetWare, NFS, Mircrosoft and IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) Network Operating Systems, and 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). . The Eclipse CD Server Tower supports Novell NetWare 3.11, 3.12 and 4.10; Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95 and Windows NT; Microsoft LAN Manager 1.3 and above; IBM LAN Server 1.3 and above; and UNIX. Ethernet and Token Ring direct attachments are available. ISO (1) See ISO speed. (2) (International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, www.iso.ch) An organization that sets international standards, founded in 1946. The U.S. member body is ANSI. 9660 and High Sierra CD formats are supported. The server features 150ms average access time and 600KB per second sustained data transfer rate. The CD Server Tower measures 15.5 inches high by 8.4 inches wide by 17 inches deep and weighs 34 pounds. Pricing and Availability Available immediately, the Eclipse CD Server Tower is offered at a suggested list price of $2,995 and comes complete with seven quad-speed CD-ROM drives, RISC-based processor, Ethernet direct attach connector and on-board support for Windows, Windows NT, NetWare, OS/2 and UNIX. Token Ring models are also available. All CMS products are distributed in the United States through a channel of distributors and aggregators, and internationally through a select group of distributors. Company Information CMS Enhancements Inc. offers a broad line of mass storage products for servers, workstations and portable computers that are both cost-effective and reliable. With more than 3 million CMS storage solutions installed in 61 countries, CMS is dedicated to providing users with exactly the right mass storage device for their system and application. The company's complete line of mass storage products includes high- capacity hard drives, hard disk drives for notebooks, RAID, CD-ROM changers, CD-Recordables, portable CD-ROMs and CD Towers. CONTACT: Lages & Associates Paula Bordigon, 714/453-8080 |
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