Turbolinux Releases PowerCockpit, Users Deploy and Configure an Entire Rack of Linux Servers in Minutes.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 4, 2001

Provisioning Servers in Minutes, Instead of Weeks, PowerCockpit

Turns Hardware Systems Into Flexible Computing Assets

Turbolinux, the only provider of software that automates the configuration and deployment of computing power for any data processing need, today announced Turbolinux PowerCockpit(TM) for easy deploying and provisioning of Linux servers. By dramatically reducing the time it takes to deploy or redeploy servers, Turbolinux PowerCockpit makes using Linux simpler, faster, and less expensive.

PowerCockpit enables instant reconfiguration of computing systems, representing a radical shift in the way servers are currently defined and creating enormous ramifications for every segment of the marketplace. For instance, manufacturers can benefit from simplified system configuration through automation and IT managers can reconfigure and redeploy systems as the need arises, recycling computing power on demand. Web servers, for example, can become application servers in 10 minutes or less using just a few simple commands.

"PowerCockpit fundamentally changes the way the industry can view computing power and its management," said Ly-Huong Pham, CEO of Turbolinux. "Computers should be flexible machines able to complete almost any processing job or handle any software. PowerCockpit fulfills that vision. And that has huge implications. Over time, we're talking about a world where machines aren't classified by the software they run, like a Web server or a database server, but rather by the strength of their processing power."

PowerCockpit is already attracting industry attention with Fujitsu Japan immediately providing early praise for the technology. "Fujitsu is excited to implement Turbolinux's PowerCockpit technology," said Akira Ozora, General Manager of Fujitsu Limited Software Group Division. "PowerCockpit represents a radical shift in server management. The ability to flexibly deploy and redeploy Linux servers adds terrific value to our hardware customers."

Collect, Image, Deploy

With conventional technology, configuration involves an administrator manually installing the Linux OS, applying upgrades, patches, and security fixes, installing and properly configuring application software, (such as IBM WebSphere or Oracle 8i), user accounts, security options, networking parameters, and service daemons. This whole process can often take two days per server, but seems to change each and every time the administrator deploys a new system.

With PowerCockpit's new technology, a system administrator can configure a Linux solution once and then `collect' an `image' from the fully configured server and place it into a repository -- capturing the administrator's expertise. With a few easy steps, this same image can be `deployed' to a rack of machines or to dozens of servers throughout the enterprise -- successfully reusing the administrator's knowledge. Once in the repository, flexible computing is easy: an administrator picks an image and disk layout -- for instance, Turbolinux with IBM's WebSphere or Red Hat with Apache -- and then PowerCockpit dynamically configures and deploys the image. PowerCockpit also automatically copes with the most frequent differences in hardware between the image and the target machine, such as different disk controllers, disk sizes or Ethernet cards. PowerCockpit works with Linux distributions from Red Hat, SuSE and others in addition to all Turbolinux environments.

"As demand increases for centralized servers that host content, applications, and services, ISPs, ASPs, and remote hosting facilities must be able to quickly deploy and redeploy several types of Linux servers -- from proxy cache to web, or from firewall to database." said Pete Beckman, vice president of engineering for Turbolinux and director of TurboLabs. "PowerCockpit accelerates and automates server deployment and provisioning, eliminating human error, enabling remote installations, standardizing enterprise-wide solution stacks, and dramatically reducing the time, complexity, and money required. The net result is that the process of managing a data center of computing power -- regardless of size -- becomes dramatically simpler."

Upgrades and Disaster Recovery

With PowerCockpit, upgrades are noticeably less complex as well. Updates can be rolled out one site at a time, and mis-configured or crashed servers can be rescued or redeployed using PowerCockpit's `Administration Mode'. Should a new version not perform adequately, servers can also be "rolled back" to previous versions, something not possible with manual administration. Recovery of a server image can be done without the pain of tape backups, with an alternate machine ready to go in minutes after receiving the image from PowerCockpit.

In addition, PowerCockpit makes remote site management much easier. A single, centrally located IT department can push standard images out to all remote sites. PowerCockpit proxy servers can use IP multicast technology to deploy to an entire set of machines simultaneously. IT departments can also create and deploy custom solutions for remote offices or remotely managed client/servers, removing the need to send staff to perform installations or purchase a costly custom distribution. In addition to the sophisticated GUI, PowerCockpit includes Perl language interfaces, making automation straightforward.

Everywhere Linux Is Used

Hardware manufacturers and build-to-order resellers can use PowerCockpit to provide customers their choice of several pre-configured systems. When ordering a system, customers can select a pre-configured image from the manufacturer's repository, then PowerCockpit effortlessly deploys Linux and network configuration. The result is a machine that works straight from the box. VARs can develop custom Linux solution stacks and use PowerCockpit to deploy them. ISPs, ASPs, and enterprise users can flexibly reconfigure their computing assets. Data centers can replicate servers, design custom solutions and transfer them to distant cities, and archive, version, and test servers with confidence. From the manufacturing floor to the data center, PowerCockpit makes Linux flexible and simple.

Pricing and Availability

PowerCockpit is available immediately from Turbolinux sales. Please call 650/228-5072 for more information.

About Turbolinux, Inc.

Founded in 1992, Turbolinux makes and markets software that leverages the Linux Operating Environment to simplify the deployment, configuration, and redeployment of any size computing system for any data processing job -- enabling true `flexible processing power.' Backed by some of the world's leading technology companies, including Compaq, Dell, Fujitsu, Hitachi, IBM, Intel, NEC, Novell, Oracle, SGI and Toshiba, Turbolinux is headquartered near San Francisco with offices around the world. For more information, visit the Turbolinux Web site at http://www.turbolinux.com.

Note to Editors: Turbolinux is a registered trademark of Turbolinux, Inc. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other registered trademarks belong to their respective holders.