Stratus Introduces Open-Driver Technology; Off-The-Shelf Devices and RAID 1+0 Support Included in New ftServer Systems Software Release.

MAYNARD, Mass. -- Stratus Technologies, Inc., today announced that it is embedding open-driver technology and supporting Rapid Disk Resynchronization (RDR) in its new ftServer(R) System Software (ftSSS) Release 3.0 for Microsoft Windows Server 2003.

With the new system software, third-party device drivers that pass Windows Hardware Quality Lab (WHQL) tests, including surprise-removal support, will be fully functional without requiring Stratus-specific code or calls written into the driver software. Drivers that do not support Windows-specified surprise removal can also be supported with a minimal amount of modification by the driver vendor.

'Well-behaved' drivers will automatically benefit from Stratus(R) system management capabilities and enhanced state tracing. Misbehaving drivers are a well-recognized cause of downtime in Windows-based systems. Prior to Release 3.0, only device drivers that were "hardened" by Stratus for fault-tolerant computing were recommended for use with ftServer systems.

Open driver support provides many fault-tolerant capabilities that enable off-the-shelf drivers to be easily integrated, managed, and serviced without affecting application performance or bringing down the server. Hot-plug support, for example, detects newly attached and removed devices, and brings them in and out of service. Auto restart lets failed devices be restarted automatically or to automatically recover from transient faults. MTBF-Handling (Mean Time Before Failures) tracks and reports transient faults, and will automatically remove a device from service when too many faults have occurred; the system user defines and sets their own MTBF rules. All devices can now be fully integrated into Stratus' ActiveService(TM) Network, which will initiate a 'call home' should any device exceed MTBF thresholds.

Rapid Disk Resynchronization (RDR)

Beginning with ftSSS 3.0, ftServer system internal disks will be RDR-capable, enabling much faster recovery times and nearly eliminating any impact to ongoing operations. Following a transient error, disk removal, insertion, or other event that suspends data recording, the system will automatically track changes; only the changed sectors will need to be re-mirrored to the affected disk. RDR also includes a proactive verification utility that validates the integrity of RDR disk mirrors, ensuring that disk integrity problems are detected and repaired as quickly as possible.

In addition to rapidly bringing a disk back into resynchronization following a transient error, RDR provides several other important advantages. A new data disk can resynch completely as much as five times faster with RDR than with mirroring via volume managers. RDR will also mirror 'basic' disks; dynamic disk creation is unnecessary. Striped mirrors (RAID 1+0) can be supported as well, using RDR for mirroring and the volume manager for striping.

About Stratus Technologies

Stratus Technologies is a global provider of fault-tolerant computer servers, technologies and services, with more than 20 years of experience focused in the fault-tolerant server market. Stratus servers provide high levels of reliability relative to the server industry, delivering 99.999% uptime or better. Stratus servers and support services are used by customers for their critical computer-based operations that are required to be continuously available for the proper functioning of their businesses. For more information, visit www.stratus.com.

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