HDS introduces scalable parallel processor and software solutions for open system environments; enterprise-class performance and security in a scalable, small-footprint system.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 24, 1995--Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) today announced the HDS SR4300 Scalable RISC Complex.

The HDS SR4300 combines multi-CPU performance and the reliability of enterprise-class computer systems with the price-performance of RISC architecture, in a small-footprint enclosure.

The HDS SR4300 combines in a single system the independence of departmental computing platforms with a key role as a platform for mission-critical business applications within the enterprise. This new HDS system is particularly well-suited to applications such as on-line transaction processing (OLTP), decision support, and data mining, where the unique attributes of the parallel processing architecture contribute to substantially faster processing throughput.

The HDS SR4300 also serves as a centralized resource manager in integrated networks that encompass mainframe, midrange, and desktop platforms. The system is well-suited for compute-intensive operations.

The HDS SR4300 Scalable RISC Complex debuts with three new Hitachi-developed software solutions, which have been optimized where possible for high-performance parallel operations. The three solutions are an on-line transaction processing (OLTP) monitor, a software solution for processing massive data files, and an application for advanced batch processing across network resources.

The HDS SR4300 broadens HDS' portfolio of open computing solutions. This new HDS system is in addition to and complements the capabilities of HDS' first open systems offering, Osiris. Osiris is a S/390-based high-capacity super server, designed for customers with database server, data and storage management, and LAN consolidation needs, and which supports their transition to an open computing environment.

The HDS SR4300 is an outcome of the technology agreement last year between Hitachi, Ltd. and International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). The system is available today.

IBM POWER2 Architecture and AIX Software Compatibility

The HDS SR4300 Scalable RISC Complex is built around the IBM POWER2 architecture, one of the industry's leading microprocessor designs, with top-level SPECmark ratings in integer and floating point performance.

The HDS SR4300 runs the IBM AIX operating system and associated, IBM-manufactured systems software. The IBM software for the HDS SR4300 platform is available from HDS. Since the SR4300 is an AIX platform and uses the RISC System/6000 Power Series technology, it also runs RS/6000 applications available from independent software vendors (ISVs).

Control Workstation Options

The HDS SR4300 system can be configured with any of several control workstation options to manage system administration. The workstations range from an entry-level 66 MHz PowerPC 601-based unit to a high-end 67 MHz, POWER2-based unit. Each includes a 17-inch monitor, integrated SCSI-2 disk drive, keyboard, and mouse.

HDS Adds to its Open Systems Offerings

"This introduction continues a series of open systems offerings, from Osiris in 1993 to last week's debut of scalable, and intelligent, storage and LAN backup platforms for the midrange market arena," said John Staedke, CEO and President of HDS. "We're bringing to market the key technologies our public- and private-sector customers need to manage their information systems for multinational operations, with the reliability and security they've come to expect from HDS solutions."

Parallel Scalability

The SR4300's scalable design is generally available in configurations ranging from 2 to 128 nodes (i.e., processors), commensurate with evolving information processing requirements. Larger systems, up to 512 nodes, can be specially ordered. "The SR4300 system provides the technology for our customers to scale to the very large or specialized applications, such as data warehousing and decision support, necessary to most effectively compete into the next decade," said Mark Mickelson, HDS Vice President of Open Systems Product Management. "It provides a unique capability to support and grow applications now being developed which will utilize multi-terabyte databases."

This highly scalable approach also enables a more granular approach to capital outlays. Scalability offers a strong practical advantage by enabling the user to purchase a smaller system initially for development and production startup, and then expand it as business requirements warrant.

Numerous Software Options

There are numerous application software packages available for AIX, and therefore for the HDS SR4300. Many middleware solutions from IBM, Hitachi, and ISVs have been and are being optimized for parallel operation.

"With the introduction of the SR4300 and its AIX operating system, HDS continues its commitment to offer UNIX platform alternatives to its wide customer constituency," Mickelson added.

New Hitachi Middleware

The new Hitachi software solutions soon to be available for the SR4300 are:

OpenTP1, an Hitachi-designed OLTP monitor for the parallel processing environment. OpenTP1's design protects against loss of transaction data caused by a system failure anywhere on the network.

Transactional Batch Processing Support (Transbatch), a parallel solution for the batch processing of very large databases, with the potential for substantial improvement in performance on the SR4300. With this product, massive data files can be defined easily by data keys, enabling selected blocks of data to be optimally routed to different nodes in the SR4300 for processing.

With the Job Management Partner 1 (JP1) product, users gain enormous flexibility in scheduling batch processing across the network, over extended periods, and on specified platforms, optimizing tasks and underscoring the benefits of scalability. Grouping related data processing tasks or "jobs" in the optimum sequence produces jobnets, and jobnets cumulatively comprise a jobgroup. This enables data scheduled for processing to be categorized in manageable volumes.

These software products will be available for first customer shipment in 1H96 for AIX 3.2, and later in 1996 for AIX 4.1

HDS Storage Products for the SR4300 System

Exploitation of the full potential of the SR4300 parallel architecture is enabled and supported by the suite of HDS peripheral storage products. The HDS 5700 RAID subsystem, with its non-volatile cache, combines high performance with the highest level of data integrity. Where the full protection of RAID is not required, high capacity and high performance are combined in the dual-ported SCSI-interface HDS 5600.

Parallel Technology Centers Open For Business

To further support the increase in HDS' range of open systems offerings the SR4300 brings, HDS has established a Scalable and Parallel Technology Center (SPTC), at both its World and European headquarters. Its major functions are product evaluation, performance analysis, training, and demonstration. It is also a facility where customers, HDS, and its business partners can work cooperatively and conclude specific application solutions.

The SPTCs in Santa Clara, California and in Sefton Park, United Kingdom, are staffed with highly qualified software engineers and business consultants with expertise in RDBM systems, parallel processing, OLTP, performance analysis, and quality assurance. The centers feature the HDS SR4300, workstations, desktop computers, and peripherals, linked over ISDN and fiber networks, and with global connectivity. The SPTC in Santa Clara will be connected to its sister center in Sefton Park via a high-speed communications link.

Future Directions: Software and Hardware

To further expand its open systems offerings, Hitachi is developing a line of parallel servers based on the IBM Power RISC technology, another outcome of last year's agreement with IBM.

Additionally, to facilitate the expansion of its developing Systems Integration and HiCare Professional Services businesses, HDS plans to add symmetric multi-processing (SMP) products, including those based on Intel technology, to its product repertoire. This will combine commodity processor economies with high performance in increasingly parallel systems.

Hitachi will continue to enhance its Osiris HI-OSF/1-M operating system. This evolving product will support the new S/390 HDS Skyline Series, as well as its planned CMOS-based S/390 platform.

Hitachi will develop its future parallel operating system with the following fundamental objectives:

- program interface compatibility with AIX/6000, the UNIX operating system for PowerPC

- compliance with UNIX industry standards such as the single UNIX Specification 

- employment of Hitachi's high performance, high availability, and easy-to-use parallel control software

Hitachi's strategic direction will also focus on middleware products -- similar to those announced today -- to improve interoperation between hardware and operating system platforms, and to better enable migrations from other hardware platforms, all with the goal of achieving a seamless computing environment.

HDS will continue to follow a market-based, open systems strategy by selecting partners who provide hardware and software products that deliver the most cost-effective, high quality "enterprise-serving solutions" to its customers.

Hitachi Data Systems is owned by Hitachi, Ltd. and EDS, and has its headquarters in Santa Clara, California. The company markets, worldwide, a broad range of mainframe systems, peripheral products, open systems hardware and software, and services. For online information about HDS' products and services, access http://www.hdshq.com/ on the World Wide Web. -0-

Note to Editors: Osiris and the Skyline Series are trademarks of Hitachi Data Systems Corporation.

Hitachi Data Systems is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a trademark and service mark of Hitachi, Ltd.

UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Limited.

All other brand or product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify, products or services of their respective owners. -0- Terry Quinn Vice President, Public Affairs Hitachi Data Systems Santa Clara California Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [e-mail] HDS on the WWW: http://www.hdshq.com/horizon.html

CONTACT: Hitachi Data Systems

Mark Lewis, 408/970-4356 or [e-mail]