Stratus delivers industry's first fault-tolerant, high-availability multi-node Windows NT server cluster; Supports Intel Pentium and Pentium Pro technology; Microsoft "Wolfpack" developments.CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 3, 1996-- Stratus Computer, Inc. (NYSE NYSESee: New York Stock Exchange :SRA SrA abbr. senior airman ), a leader in fault-tolerant distributed computing (1) The use of multiple computers networked throughout a wide geographical area, or the world via the Internet, in order to solve a single problem. See grid computing. (2) The use of multiple computers in an enterprise rather than one centralized system. , today announces the availability of the industry's first multi-node 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. Server cluster based on standard PC server technology. Unlike current Windows NT clustering architectures that connect only two PC servers between shared storage devices, RADIO Cluster interconnects multiple application and storage servers within a single cluster. RADIO Cluster delivers high-availability application monitoring, failover, and recovery for Windows NT-based applications, including select Microsoft BackOffice See BackOffice. products. RADIO's hardware architecture is based on Intel 's Pentium multiprocessors, with later upgrades available for Intel's Pentium Pro The sixth generation of the Intel x86 family of CPU chips. The term may refer to the chip or to a PC that uses it. Introduced in 1995 as the successor to the Pentium, models from 150 MHz to 200 MHz were released. symmetrical multiprocessing technology. "RADIO Cluster's integrated system and high availability Also called "RAS" (reliability, availability, serviceability) or "fault resilient," it refers to a multiprocessing system that can quickly recover from a failure. There may be a minute or two of downtime while one system switches over to another, but processing will continue. features perfectly complement the Windows NT Server and BackOffice integrated software Separate software components or applications that have been combined into one package. See integrated software package. architecture," said Joseph D'Angelo, vice president, Distributed Computing Division at Stratus Computer. "Customers can now create a cohesive environment for their business sustaining Internet, Intranet, database, and messaging or groupware applications, as well as gain valuable availability for those services." N-Way Expandable Redundancy, Application Failover, and Storage Replication RADIO Cluster is a reliable Windows NT Server-based cluster that delivers "N-Way" clustering, for clustering more than two systems together. The base RADIO Cluster is configured with multiple Compute Nodes (application servers), Storage Nodes (storage servers), and Network Nodes (100Base-T Hubs) integrated within a single RADIO Cluster chassis. A total of six Nodes comes in the standard configuration, with expansion for up to two additional Compute and Storage Nodes within the chassis. Future enhancements will enable as many as four fully configured RADIO Cluster chassis to be networked together to form an expanded RADIO Cluster, totaling up to 24 multiple processor Compute Nodes and Storage Nodes in combination. Since each RADIO node is independent and hot-swappable within the cluster, other Nodes will not be affected if a particular node fails. Nodes can also be pulled out and replaced without powering down the entire system or rebooting any node in the cluster. RADIO Cluster ships standard with embedded Isis Reliable software products and technology. Isis Active Replication technology provides the core properties for RADIO's application clustering, storage replication, and cluster management for Windows NT Server. Shipping with every RADIO Cluster base system is Isis Availability Manager (IAM IAM - Interactive Algebraic Manipulation. Interactive symbolic mathematics for PDP-10. ["IAM, A System for Interactive Algebraic Manipulation", C. Christensen et al, Proc Second Symp Symb Alg Manip, ACM Mar 1971]. ) for Windows NT Server software. IAM runs on each RADIO Compute node and monitors application distribution, database and system-level failures, and manages application restart, recovery, and load distribution. IAM enables users to develop simple Perl-based scripts to monitor, failover, and recover Windows NT-based applications among multiple Nodes. Future enhancements will allow multiple Nodes to be mapped to a single IP address, transparently redirecting clients to an available node without requiring the client to be "cluster aware" and eliminating the need for additional client software. Upgradeable Pentium and Pentium Pro Performance RADIO Cluster Pentium-based Compute Nodes are upgradeable to the latest Intel Pentium Pro technology and can be mixed and matched with Compute Nodes using the current Pentium technology to deliver optimum performance for customers' processing requirements. Stratus will preview dual SMP (Symmetric MultiProcessing) A multiprocessing architecture in which multiple CPUs, residing in one cabinet, share the same memory. SMP systems provide scalability. As business increases, additional CPUs can be added to absorb the increased transaction volume. Pentium Pro processor-based Compute node in booth #W3500 at Spring COMDEX/Windows World in Chicago, June 3-6 at the McCormick Center. 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 Clustering ("Wolfpack") Stratus brings its years of experience in delivering fault-tolerant and clustering solutions to the Windows NT environments. As a Microsoft OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) The rebranding of equipment and selling it. The term initially referred to the company that made the products (the "original" manufacturer), but eventually became widely used to refer to the organization that buys the products and and Solution Provider, Stratus has been participating in "Wolfpack" design efforts for Microsoft's Windows NT clustering and has been providing its unique expertise in the areas of cluster scalability and availability. Stratus is committed to Wolfpack as its strategic API for clustering and is dedicated to maintaining compatibility with Microsoft Windows NT-based solutions. This will ensure that RADIO Cluster customers have an easy migration path to future Wolfpack based high availability products. "We are pleased that Stratus customers who want RADIO capability for Windows NT Server will now have that choice. This underscores Stratus' commitment to providing its customers with enterprise-class solutions that extend the value of Windows NT Server and BackOffice products," said Rich Tong, general manager, desktop and business systems division at Microsoft Corp. "Further, we are pleased that Stratus has embraced the Wolfpack API and is participating with us as a member of our Wolfpack design process." Future System Packages for Microsoft BackOffice As part of its overall RADIO Cluster product roll-out in CY96, Stratus will introduce High-Availability system packages for selected Microsoft BackOffice applications. To meet the critical needs of high availability in the Internet, Intranet, and database markets, RADIO Cluster packages will come integrated with application-specific availability products for Microsoft Internet Information Server See IIS. Microsoft Internet Information Server - Internet Information Server and Microsoft SQL Server A relational DBMS from Microsoft that is a major component of the Windows Server System. It is Microsoft's high-end client/server database and is closely integrated with Microsoft Visual Studio and the Microsoft Office System. products in the second half of CY96. N-Way Cluster Server See Microsoft Cluster Server. Management Within a RADIO Cluster, even cluster management is fault-tolerant. RADIO Storage and Cluster management software will continue to manage Compute and Storage Nodes, even in the event of hardware, software, or network failure. For example, if one node goes down, it can be accessed either locally or remotely by the system administrator via a Windows NT server or Windows 95-based management console A terminal or workstation used to monitor and control a network. See Microsoft Management Console. . RADIO Cluster Pricing and Serviceability Stratus offers a unique range of comprehensive service and support options that complements the availability, performance, and reliability of the RADIO Cluster. These include a proactive and comprehensive remote system support, remote systems management, and a unique "Call Home" feature, which provides a direct line between the Stratus system and a remote customer service center. RADIO Cluster comes standard with three-year hardware and 90-day software warranties. Additionally, a Remote System Support option for round-the-clock maintenance is also offered. Pricing and Availability RADIO Cluster is being rolled out to current Stratus customers migrating to the Windows NT platform, with general commercial availability in July 1996. The starting price starting price n (COMM) → precio inicial starting price n → prix initial starting price start n (at auction for RADIO Cluster will be $66,000. About Stratus Based in Marlboro, Mass., Stratus Computer, Inc. is a leading provider of comprehensive computer solutions for critical on-line environments. Stratus and its subsidiaries offer a broad range of continuously available computer platforms, application software, middleware, and professional services (job) professional services - A department of a supplier providing consultancy and programming manpower for the supplier's products. . The company markets its systems and solutions to a range of industries in more than 60 countries. Stratus can be accessed on the World Wide Web at www.stratus.com. -0- Microsoft Windows NT, BackOffice and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. CONTACT: Christine Fraser Gene Carozza/Jane Hiscock Stratus Computer, Inc. Neva Group, Inc. 508-490-6272 617-441-4000, ext. 244/224 christine_fraser@stratus.com gcarozza@neva.com jhiscock@neva.com |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion