Solid Data Adds Lights-Out Operation Capabilities to Its Excellerator File Caching Appliances.

Business/Technology Editors

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2001

Anytime, Anywhere Monitoring of System Status Simplifies

Management of Distributed Infrastructure

Solid Data Systems, the leading provider of file-caching solutions based on solid state disk technology, today announced a new option that enables lights-out operation and 24x7 system monitoring of its Excellerator(TM) product line from anywhere in the world. The Remote Monitoring and Reporting (RMR) feature brings network connectivity and reporting of key system status indicators for the Excellerator 800 and 1000 systems - enabling customers to easily manage and monitor distributed systems from a central location or from any HTML-capable browser device, improving overall availability for business-critical applications. SNMP monitoring and traps are also supported for integration into standard enterprise system management packages.

RMR Offers Improved Management for Distributed File Caching Appliances

Increasingly, file-caching appliances are being integrated into widely distributed networked environments to eliminate mechanical latency and turbocharge e-transaction performance. With the RMR feature, key system parameters can be monitored via a Web-enabled browser from any location. RMR monitors and reports out-of-tolerance conditions for components such as power supplies, backup batteries, backup disk drive status, temperature, and soft error rates. This anytime, anywhere reporting simplifies the management of distributed infrastructure such as co-location facilities and storage service providers, improving overall availability of critical applications.

Integrates Easily into Major Network Management Infrastructures

RMR is designed around industry standard SNMP V2 protocols that are supported by major network management suites such as IBM's Tivoli, HP OpenView, and CA Unicenter. If a systems event occurs, the Excellerator file cache will issue a standard SNMP alert to a network management console, enabling immediate notification and appropriate action. "Most e-businesses today need easier management and real-time status for their distributed systems," said Gene Bowles, CEO of Solid Data Systems. "Our customers have told us that RMR is a clear winner."

File Caching Multiplies e-Transaction Performance in I/O-Intensive Environments

Transaction-intensive applications, are often I/O-limited by a relatively small number of "hot files" -- high-activity files that typically constitute less than 5% of the total storage, but account for more than 50% of all I/O traffic. Often the application server wastes a large percentage of its time and CPU resources just waiting for mechanical disk drives to access the selected data blocks. By moving the hot files to solid-state storage -- thus eliminating the mechanical delays inherent in magnetic disk drives -- an enterprise can often increase the throughput of the I/O-bound application server by 200% to 800%. In suitable applications, this architectural approach is much simpler and faster than re-engineering software, delivers dramatically better results than purchasing additional servers, and does so at a fraction of the cost.

Solid Data's Excellerator products run on all major Unix and NT hardware platforms, and support industry-standard SCSI and Fibre Channel interfaces. Excellerator products provide non-volatile storage, using a patented Data Retention System(TM) that protects data in the event of a power loss.

About Solid Data

Founded in 1993, Solid Data Systems is the industry leader in file-caching solutions that multiply system performance and scalability in transaction-intensive applications such as e-mail, e-business and wireless messaging. The Company's headquarters are located at 2945 Oakmead Village Court, Santa Clara, California 95051 and can be reached by phone at +1 408.845.5700, by fax at +1 408.727.5496, and on the Internet at http://www.soliddata.com.

Excellerator and Data Retention System are trademarks of Solid Data Systems, Inc. All other brands or products are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Solid Data Systems disclaims any proprietary interest in the trademarks of others.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that involve risks and uncertainties.