OnStream Launches New 50GB ADR50 Drive for Broad-Platform Server Backup.

Business Editors &High-Tech Writers

LONGMONT, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 7, 2000

ADR(TM) Technology Delivers Unique Blend

Of Capacity, Performance, Price

Ready to meet the storage requirements of small businesses, corporate departmental and workgroup servers, OnStream(TM) today announced its new ADR(TM)50 Digital Tape Drive -- offering 50 gigabytes(1) of capacity, speeds of up to 4MB/sec(1) and multi-platform support for server backup in external and internal SCSI interfaces. At a cost of only $799 for the drive, less than $1 per gigabyte(1) for the media and read/write compatibility with 30GB and 50GB ADR cartridges, the ADR50 allows customers to benefit from a built-in migration path as their server needs grow.

The ADR50, available in internal and external models, supports a broad range of operating system platforms including Novell(R) NetWare; SCO(R) UnixWare(R); SCO OpenServer(TM); Linux; Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 95, 98 and NT; Mac OS and others. The ADR50 is officially SCO certified on UnixWare 7 and SCO OpenServer Release 5 operating systems.

&uot;IT managers have asked for large backup capacity, diverse platform support and superior performance in a reliable solution that doesn't cost as much as the server itself,&uot; Kim Sparks, server product line manager, OnStream, said. &uot;By offering this new 50 gigabyte drive, with a faster SCSI-3 LVD interface, a broader range of compatibility and twice the performance of our current 50 gigabyte product, OnStream continues to demonstrate its ability to provide solutions to the server marketplace that offer the best blend of price, capacity and performance.&uot;

The ADR50 is powered by the company's patented Advanced Digital Recording (ADR) technology that delivers superior reliability and a unique blend of capacity, performance and affordability. Reliability features include 1) an advanced servo system that assures media integrity while writing and keeps the head from wandering off-track and 2) spatially distributed error correction code (ECC) that greatly increases the chances for data recovery.

Newly added ALDC (adaptive lossless data compression) hardware compression delivers performance up to 4MB/sec. Maximizing ALDC's performance capabilities, ADR technology provides continuously variable speeds from 1 to 4MB/sec which allows for the constantly changing data rate from the system, thus eliminating the back-hitching issues common in competitive solutions.

The ADR50 features an auto-sensing Wide Ultra2 compatible SCSI-3 interface, integrating LVD (Low Voltage Differential) technology to assure greater signal integrity for faster and more reliable data transfers. The auto-sensing feature allows the drive to automatically adjust to a single ended or LVD bus.

&uot;Resellers are raving about OnStream products, frequently returning to us for follow-on orders,&uot; said Michael Schwab, vice president of purchasing, D& Distributing. &uot;The ADR50 is a great example of the scalability of ADR technology, showing the progression from 30 to 50 gigabyte products and beyond. ADR is poised to put OnStream ahead in the 8MM/DAT/DLT category as an attractive server solution.&uot;

OnStream's software partners include 1Vision, Computer Associates International(TM), Dantz, Enhanced Software Technologies (EST), Microlite, NovaStor, UltraBac.com, Veritas(TM) and Yosemite. An up-to-date compatibility listing of backup software applications is available on OnStream's Web site at www.onstream.com/software.

Pricing and Availability

The OnStream ADR50 will ship in late February at an estimated street price of $799 (U.S.) for the internal SCSI and $949 (U.S.) for the external SCSI. Fifty-gigabyte media is available for $49.95 and thirty-gigabyte media for $39.95.

OnStream products are sold throughout the United States, Canada and Europe through leading distribution, retail and catalog companies.

About OnStream

Incorporated in 1998, OnStream Inc. delivers affordable, high capacity removable storage solutions for entry to mid-range servers, workstations and power desktops. The privately held, Colorado-based company is a spin-off from Philips Electronics of The Netherlands. All OnStream drives are powered by the company's patented Advanced Digital Recording (ADR) technology -- at prices that make sense for today's power desktop and server computer customers. For more information, visit OnStream at www.onstream.com.

(1) Where 1GB = 1 billion bytes. All capacities and transfer rates mentioned assume 2:1 compression. Capacity and performance will vary with file types and system configuration.

OnStream, ADR, the OnStream logo, and ADR logo are trademarks of OnStream Inc. All other trademarks are properties of their respective companies.