Ziatech's HA Windows NT Support for CompactPCI Provides Smooth Transition to Windows 2000.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 27, 1999--

Ziatech's Redundant Processor Architecture Delivers

99.999% Availability in Windows Environment 

System designers using Ziatech Corporation's Redundant Processor Architecture (RPA) for CompactPCI(R) High Availability applications will have a migration path to Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 2000 as soon as that operating system is available, it was announced Monday.

Currently shipping with Windows NT(R) 4.0, Ziatech's ZT 5083 NEBS-Compliant High Availability (HA) System uniquely combines standard CompactPCI technology, redundant Intel(R) CPUs, and Microsoft operating system support to provide "five-nines" (99.999%) availability to a broad range of data and telephony applications in both carrier and high-end enterprise markets.

"Many of our customers designing telecom and Internet equipment need to deploy HA systems now. Time-to-market is critical, and companies need to ship their products before the release of Windows 2000," said Pete Holmes, Ziatech Telecommunications Product Manager. "Our HA technology has been structured to support the current version of Windows NT shipping today, while providing an easy path for transitioning to Windows 2000 when the new OS is released by Microsoft," he continued.

Ziatech's Redundant Processor Architecture provides a cost-effective and quick-to-market alternative to clustering and other high availability technologies. Through the duplication of Intel Architecture processor boards and other key components, Ziatech's RPA technology achieves an extremely fast switch-over time of less than 20 microseconds from a master to a standby processor. This switch-over rate is much faster than typical clustering architectures. The RPA technology also avoids the costs associated with cluster configurations in applications using expensive I/O boards.

The ZT 5083 is housed in a 15U NEBS-compliant enclosure and, in addition to its dual redundant CPUs, features four load-sharing, hot swap power supplies, redundant fan cooling, and integrated programmable system monitoring and alarming functions.

The future support of Windows 2000 and current support of Windows NT enables manufacturers of CompactPCI network and telephony products to more easily develop software drivers to ensure their products' interoperability with Ziatech. In addition to its Windows support, Ziatech's HA system includes industry standards such as the H.110 computer telephony bus, hot swap, and rear I/O.

The use of standard components demonstrates Ziatech's support of industry efforts to standardize on advanced technologies in CompactPCI, according to Ziatech's Holmes. Ziatech serves on a High Availability standards committee (PICMG 2.13 Redundant System Slot Specification) of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers' Group.

The Windows 2000-ready ZT 5083 NEBS-Compliant High Availability System is available now with Windows NT 4.0, with prices starting at $19,695. The system will offer Windows 2000 support when the OS is available.

About Ziatech Corporation

Ziatech Corporation is the leading innovator of applied computing solutions for telecommunications and Internet applications. Ziatech offers OEMs the industry's most comprehensive product line of CompactPCI, a standard it created and continues to enhance through advancements such as multiprocessing and high availability technology. An ISO 9001-certified company, Ziatech partners with one of the world's largest contract manufacturers of electronics, to build computers that meet international certification requirements and the highest standards of quality. With headquarters in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Ziatech operates a worldwide network of representatives and distributors, with sales offices throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. More detailed information on Ziatech is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.ziatech.com.