New BSDI Internet Server Software Achieves Workstation-Class Performance on Advanced PC Hardware; BSDI Integrates All-in-One Internet and Web Server Software with High-Performance Networking for Industrial-Strength Internet Services and High-Volume Web Sites

Business Wire, Feb 13, 1996

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 1996-- Berkeley Software Design, Inc. (BSDI(tm)) today announced immediate availability of the new BSDI Internet Server Version 2.1, BSDI's all-in-one Internet and Web server software for Intel x86, Pentium(r), and Pentium Pro(r) server systems.

The BSDI Internet Server's built-in 32-bit Web, E-mail, FTP, and Netnews server software and high-performance networking is tightly integrated with the underlying BSD/OS kernel to deliver workstation-class performance for high-traffic Web sites, Internet service providers (ISPs), enterprise gateways, and corporate intranets.

The BSDI Internet Server is optimized for low-overhead operation, ultra-fast TCP/IP networking, and integrated system performance using standard PC hardware and peripherals. For high-volume Web sites, Version 2.1 incorporates the Apache Web server which is capable of handling well over two million hits per day on a single Pentium PC. For industrial-strength Internet services, Version 2.1 supports advanced PC hardware, such as 100Mbit/sec Ethernet and FDDI networking cards, along with PCI-based SCSI host adapters.

"Major Internet providers, such as CompuServe and UUNET Technologies, as well as leading Web site developers and regional ISPs rely on BSDI's all-in-one server software for their high-bandwidth Internet and Web requirements," said Rob Kolstad, Ph.D., President of BSDI. "Version 2.1 makes it easy for organizations of every size and type to establish their Internet, intranet, and Web presence using advanced PC hardware. BSDI-powered PC servers deliver robust and dependable Internet and Web performance and cost thousands of dollars less than workstation alternatives."

Workstation Performance at PC Prices

The BSDI Internet Server is tuned for top performance in the most demanding Internet and Web environments. BSDI's world-class engineering staff has optimized Version 2.1's applications and the underlying BSD/OS kernel to unleash the true performance potential of the Intel platform.

"BSDI performance is better than SunOS on equivalently configured systems," said Kurt Lidl, Manager of New Product Development at UUNET Technologies. "With BSDI, we can put approximately twice as many outbound Netnews feeds on a 90MHz Pentium system as we could on a Sun SparcStation 2. BSDI's performance is so much better and the stability of the operating system is as good or better, so there are clear reasons to go with BSDI on PCs."

Unlike most server operating systems, the BSDI Internet Server integrates all the 32-bit UNIX software and utilities required to establish a full-featured Internet and Web Point of Presence. BSDI's all-in-one server software saves the considerable time and expense associated with locating, porting, and configuring add-on applications and utilities. The BSDI Internet Server integrates bulletproof TCP/IP networking including PPP and SLIP, full E-mail services (DNS, SMTP, MIME, and POP3), services for PC clients (DHCP, PC-NFS, and SAMBA), and dependable FTP, Netnews (NNTP), and Apache Web (HTTP) servers.

The high-performance Apache Web server includes industrial-strength features including authentication databases, content negotiation for client browsers, and virtual host support, which enables a single system to host multiple Web sites.

"The popular www.windows95.com Web site runs on the BSDI platform," said Steven Jenkins, Webmaster of the www.windows95.com Web site. "A single Pentium PC running the Apache-BSDI combo routinely handles over 2.2 million hits per day, while consuming less than 40 percent of the CPU's capacity."

High-speed 100Mbit/sec Ethernet, FDDI, and CDDI networking enables BSDI-powered PC servers to deliver top-end Internet throughput. PCI-based SCSI host adapters deliver the fast disk throughput required by high-traffic Internet and Web sites. With the addition of an inexpensive synchronous interface card, such as the RISCom/N2 from SDL Communications, BSDI's built-in router saves the expense and latency of an external router by enabling a direct connection to a 56K, T1 (1.544Mbit/sec), or E1 (2Mbit/sec) line. For high-availability Internet and Web applications, Version 2.1 supports RAID hardware from Adjile Systems and Mylex.

"Pentium Pro based Internet server systems running advanced Internet server software, such as the BSDI Internet Server, offer high-end performance for the most demanding Internet requirements," said Steven McGeady, Vice President of Intel Architecture Labs and GM of the Internet Technology Labs. "These systems offer an affordable solution for any business seeking top throughput and reliability for its Internet, Web, and intranet applications."

Version 2.1's new flexible authentication scheme enables the system administrator to establish classes of users with per-class limits, priorities, and restrictions. Different authentication methods can be used for different login methods (local, network, dialup, etc.) or classes of users. BSDI has teamed up with major vendors of authentication tokens, including ActiveCard, CryptoCard, and SNK, to offer secure authentication for remote access to BSDI servers.