MediaLogic ADL and Automated Network Technologies create shared access library solution; set stage for data warehouse applications.

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 1995--MediaLogic ADL Inc., developer of the industry's premiere scalable library solutions, has joined with Automated Network Technologies (ANT) to create the first shared access automated data library solution, opening the potential for a new era of data storage applications.

ANT is demonstrating at COMDEX/Fall its Metior(a) Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM) software, with ADL groundbreaking Scalable Library Architecture (SLA) technology to produce unprecedented capabilities in network data storage. The SLA libraries can support simultaneous access from multiple host computers running diverse operating systems by taking advantage of the multiple data paths to the library.

They feature multiple tape drives and multiple tape cartridge loading mechanisms which isolate library operations from many single points of failure. Metior software allows multiple levels of hierarchy on the host side, mirroring the increased data availability produced by the SLA library architecture.

ADL has created the potential for the inexpensive intelligent data warehouse with multiple data paths to a common shared database. The SLAbase and SLAplus models provide multiple SCSI paths to the hosts, such as Sun, HP and Windows NT. Any host system connected to the library -- and any clients attached to those hosts -- can share up to a 1.5 terabyte database.

Metior manages all network requests for access to library robotics functions by designating the host to send a file save or restore request to the robotics server. All other host requests are then routed to the server host until completed.

Metior also supports movement of files across heterogeneous environments. For example, a UNIX host can store a file on the SLA library, which can then be retrieved and read by a Windows NT-based host, or by any attached NFS-capable client workstation, including NetWare, OS/2, Macintosh and VMS.

"The Metior-SLA solution represents the next step in the evolution of network storage," said Tim Sesow, vice president of engineering at ANT. "The critical features and functions that our customers have been asking for -- increased reliability, higher throughput and the ability to reconfigure and reallocate storage devices without powering down the server -- are all enabled with this innovative approach to storage."

The SLA-Metior solution also extends the SLA paradigm for scalability to the host side for the first time. For processor intensive applications, up to four host systems can now be linked to a single SLA library, allowing users to scale the storage and processing capabilities of their overall enterprise.

A critical advantage that is unique to the SLA design is the `hot swap' and configuration redirect capability that allows dynamic reallocation of library resources without the need to power down the library or any of the attached hosts. Through simple front-panel controls, the SLA library can be reconfigured to allocate specific drives or cartridges to a particular host.

"The potential of the SLA hardware design is being fulfilled with software products such as Metior," said Lee Elizer, president and CEO of MediaLogic ADL. "With features such as dynamic reallocation, shared host and almost continuous access to the library DataPak, ADL has set the stage for the SLA standard to serve as the cornerstone of the intelligent data warehouse."

The Automated Network Technologies' Metior HSM software is based on the IEEE mass storage reference model and is one of the first distributed HSM solutions for UNIX. Metior runs on the most popular UNIX platforms including, Sun OS, Solaris, Silicon Graphics, HP-UX and SCO UNIX.

Automated Network Technology's exclusive "Three-dimensional" hierarchy capability gives it the most configuration flexibility of any UNIX HSM software, according to ANT. The three dimensional feature allows network administrators to create up to seven levels of hierarchical storage, including multiple levels of hierarchy in the same physical medium as in a single tape library.

Files can also be moved directly from one layer to any other layer in the hierarchy, or can be restored to any authorized workstation directly from the tape library with no intervention by the server disk. The three-dimentional design and distributed architecture of Metior significantly reduces disk thrashing, greatly improving network storage performance.

ADL's SLA product family currently includes three series of automated data libraries: the SLA-4 Series of 4mm DAT systems with capacities of up to 576 gigabytes (with 20, 40 and 72 cartridges) in a 6-drive configuration, the SLA-8 line of 8mm units, offering more than 728 gigabytes of capacity also in a 6-drive configuration (with 14, 28 and 52 cartridges), and the multi-terabyte high-performance DLT-based SLA-D product family with up to 4 drives (with 7, 14 and 26 cartridges).

All SLA products feature proprietary hot swap and configuration redirection features that allow drives to be replaced or additional drives to be installed while the other drives continue to operate unimpeded. The result is nearly 100 percent up time and uninterrupted data availability that is unmatched by competitive products.

Data availability is further enhanced by the scalable design that increases the data handling capability of the library as more drives are added. Each drive includes an integrated media loader so that any of up to 72 tape cartridges in the 4mm SLA-4 libraries, up to 52 tape cartridges in the 8mm SLA-8 libraries, and up to 26 tape cartridges in the DLT SLA-D libraries, can be accessed in two seconds or less.

Quick and easy data interchange is supported via the front panel-accessible Mixedmedia Interchange Drawer. The Drawer can be configured with up to four removable media SCSI devices to exchange information between the MixedMedia devices and the DataPaks.

MediaLogic ADL Inc., with headquarters in Boulder, is a subsidiary of Massachusetts-based Media Logic Inc. ADL is chartered with creating breakthrough technology in the area of innovative automated data library (ADL) solutions. The design and architecture of the new ADL scalable library products is expected to enhance current applications, enable expanded use of libraries and provide an excellent opportunity for VARs to participate in the profitable emerging market for automated storage solutions.

Founded in 1982, Media Logic is a leading worldwide supplier of evaluation equipment to both manufacturers and users of flexible computer disks and tape. The company also manufactures and sells AccuCopy industrial disk drives and heads for strenuous environment and high reliability applications. The company's stock is publicly traded under the symbol TST on the American Stock Exchange.

For further information on Metior and/or other storage management software from ANT, contact ANT President Hal Abbott, at 303/789-2506. Internet: [e-mail]. Or, contact the company on the World Wide Web at http://www.anthill.com.

For further information contact, Lee Elizer at MediaLogic ADL, at 303/939-9780. Internet: [e-mail]. Or, contact the company on the World Wide Web at http://www.adlinc.com/adlinfo. -0-

(a) A trademark or trade name of an entity other than MediaLogic ADL.

CONTACT: MediaLogic ADL

Lee H. Elizer, 303/939-9780

Internet: [e-mail]

Home page: http://www.adlinc.com/adlinfo

or

JPR Communications

Judy Smith, 818/992-8867

Internet: [e-mail]