Meridian Data Introduces CD-ROM Networking Solution to Increase Data Throughput by up to 1200 Percent; CD Net Ultimate Product Line Provides Hard Disk Drive Performance in a CD-ROM Networking Solution.SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 1997--Meridian Data, Inc. (NASDAQ/NMS: MDCD MDCD Michigan Department of Career Development MDCD Mobile Data Collection Device MDCD Message-Driven Confidence-Driven ) today announced CD Net Ultimate, a breakthrough 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). networking solution that increases the data transfer rate from CDs by up to 1200 percent over traditional server solutions and lowers the server access time from 110 milliseconds to less than 10 milliseconds. Meridian's solutions provide hard disk drive performance with data transfer rates of 8MB per second for optimal throughput of all data-intensive applications, such as multimedia playbacks and large database searches, or where multiple users are simultaneously accessing applications in real time. "CD Net Ultimate offers the highest performance in the CD-ROM networking industry and is the first CD-based system to address the special needs of large enterprise networks," said Gianluca Rattazzi, president and chief executive officer of Meridian Data. "This new family of higher-speed servers allows Meridian to offer a robust CD networking solution to Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, and educational institutions that require faster data transfer rates for high-volume CD-based data." The CD Net Ultimate family of products has an innovative new design that combines a large capacity hard disk drive, single-board cache controller and a CD-ROM changer A CD-ROM drive that holds a small number of CD-ROMs for individual use on a desktop computer. Although it can swap discs, it typically contains only one drive and can only read one at a time. See CD-ROM server. to provide simultaneous access to CD-based data at the speed of high-performance hard drives. Once a CD is inserted into CD Net Ultimate, the controller automatically caches 100 percent of the data from up to four CDs onto its hard drive, without requiring operator intervention or impacting the main system processor. "The operation of CD Net Ultimate's cache feature is completely automatic and eliminates the painstaking act of saving CDs manually to the hard drive," said Robert Wise, senior program manager at Meridian Data. "Network administrators simply insert a CD into the server, and the controller automatically copies the information from the CDs onto the hard drive cache to provide access to CD-based data at the speed of a hard drive." CD Net Ultimate systems are tightly integrated with standard network administration tools and offer Meridian's leading CD Net management software to configure and manage CDs seamlessly across the enterprise network. CD Net Ultimate systems do not require any special software drivers and are compatible with Novell NetWare (operating system, networking) Novell NetWare - Novell, Inc.'s proprietary networking operating system for the IBM PC. NetWare uses the IPX/SPX, NetBEUI or TCP/IP network protocols. It supports MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows, OS/2, Macintosh and Unix clients. and Microsoft Windows See Windows. (operating system) Microsoft Windows - Microsoft's proprietary window system and user interface software released in 1985 to run on top of MS-DOS. Widely criticised for being too slow (hence "Windoze", "Microsloth Windows") on the machines available then. NT Server operating systems See network operating system. . CD Net Ultimate Configurations Meridian Data's systems are available as network-attached servers and SCSI-attached storage modules. Both servers and storage modules come in tower or rack-mount enclosures. Meridian's tower enclosures are available with a locking door and Meridian's EZ-Dock drive bay design for the easy addition or replacement of 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. in the system. The rack-mount solutions offer the maximum in configuration flexibility, offering optional hot-swappable and redundant power supplies, hot-swap drives and audio/visual alarms. System capacities are scalable to support four to 56 CDs in a single enclosure. CD Net Ultimate Servers offers a complete solution with a high-performance Pentium processor, Fast Ethernet An earlier name for 100Mbps Ethernet. See 100Base-T. (networking) Fast Ethernet - A version of Ethernet developed in the 1990s(?) which can carry 100 Mbps compared with standard Ethernet's 10 Mbps. It requires upgraded network cards and hubs. 100 Mbps network adapter A printed circuit board that plugs into the bus of both user machines (clients) and servers in a local area network (LAN). Also commonly called a "network interface card" (NIC) or "LAN card," the network adapter transmits data onto the network and receives data from the network. , large system hard drive and substantial memory to provide maximum throughput of CD-based data across the enterprise network. The entire solution requires half the space of traditional CD networking solutions and requires only a single SCSI ID (hardware) SCSI ID - The unique address of a SCSI device. SCSI IDs range from 0 to 7 for 8-bit SCSI systems, 0 to 15 for 16-bit and 0 to 31 for 32-bit systems. The SCSI adaptor is usually assigned ID 7. A device's SCSI ID is often set by switches on the device. per four CDs on the host system for easier management. The servers come with a choice of Meridian Data's CD management software: CD IntraNet, CD Net for NetWare or CD Net for 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. . Via the SCSI interface SCSI interface - SCSI adaptor , CD Net Ultimate Storage modules can be plugged directly into any existing file servers on the network. Meridian Data also offers special upgrade kits that enhance currently-installed CD Net servers and subsystems with the high performance features of CD Net Ultimate. Pricing and Availability CD Net Ultimate products are available immediately through Meridian's network of distributors and value-added resellers A value-added reseller (VAR) is a company that adds some feature(s) to an existing product(s), then resells it (usually to end-users) as an integrated product or complete "turn-key" solution. . CD Net Ultimate systems start at $5,825 suggested retail for a four-disc tower. Upgrade kits start at a suggested retail price of $2,145. About Meridian Data Founded in 1986, Meridian Data is a developer and provider of CD networking and intranet solutions that incorporate Meridian's leading technology software, subsystems and servers. With the largest customer installed base in the world, Meridian's solutions are widely deployed throughout Fortune 1000 companies, small businesses, government and educational institutions. Meridian is headquartered in Scotts Valley, Calif., and maintains offices in Lawrenceville, N.J., Herndon, Va., Atlanta, Ga., Naperville, Ill., Dallas, Tex., Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , Calif., and London, England. Meridian's products are available through leading distributors and value-added resellers, worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.meridian-data.com on the World Wide Web. -0- Note to Editors: The Meridian logo and CD IntraNet are trademarks and CD Net is a registered trademark of Meridian Data, Inc. All other product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. CONTACT: Meridian Data, Inc. Lori Lyons, 408/438-3100 or The Hoffman Agency Pamela Rupert/Laura Irwin, 408/286-2611 |
|
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion