Intergraph Announces Octopus Technologies Bundle For High Availability on InterServe Intel/Windows NT Servers; Data Protection, Uninterrupted Server Performance

Business Wire, Sept 16, 1996

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 1996--Intergraph Computer Systems's Server Division today announced the InterSite Mirroring & Switch Over bundle based on Octopus Technologies mirroring and ASO (Automatic Switch Over) software for Windows NT Server.

The optional bundle will be available for Intergraph's entire line of servers based on Windows NT and Intel's Pentium and Pentium Pro processors for customers seeking high availability and data protection.

The InterSite Mirroring & Switch Over bundle, which will include two copies of Octopus' mirroring and ASO products, two network interface cards (NICs), and cables, will provide superior high availability for mission-critical environments running Windows NT Server. It is available for all InterServe products, including the 600 family of general enterprise-class servers; InterServe Web servers, which come with comprehensive solutions for Web, Intranet, and Internet services; and InterServe PrePress servers, which are designed for the high performance I/O and networking requirements of PostScript RIP and OPI applications.

"Our InterServe products provide excellent solutions for the tough demands put on today's servers, from Web hosting and workgroup computing to on-line transaction processing and large database tasks," said Wade Patterson, president of Intergraph Computer Systems. "Now customers can enhance their InterServe servers with the InterSite Mirroring & Switch Over software option, giving them peace of mind that their data and files will be protected on a 24x7 basis and that data backups will not hamper access to the server."

"Intergraph's InterServe servers are superior, high-performance products," said David Crocker, president of Yardley, Penn.-based Octopus Technologies. "Octopus complements an already impressive array of high-availability features and other InterSite products that are available for the InterServe product line."

Octopus' mirroring software provides data fault tolerance and real time data protection for Windows NT-based networks. Updates to source files are mirrored to disks across local- and wide-area networks (LANs and WANs) to user-specified targets. An up-to-date copy of mirrored files is available on the network in the event of data loss or hardware failure at the source location. Octopus also permits backup of data without any interruption of service to end-users.

Octopus' Automatic Switch Over (ASO) eliminates the need for manually switching a failed primary server to a server dedicated to the support of the primary server. This effectively provides continuous service to clients with minimal impact on productivity. The Octopus ASO also protects against the consequences of CPU failures and insures data integrity by eliminating the threats that any single point of failure may present to both. And, if the server being mirrored ever fails, the Octopus ASO capability included with the InterSite product will let the secondary server assume the node name and IP address of the primary server, taking over its functions with virtually no downtime.

"The combination of Intergraph's high-performance servers and Octopus' high-availability products provide a robust environment for businesses using the Windows NT platform to run their critical computing operations," said Mike Nash, director of marketing for Microsoft's Desktop & Business Systems Division. "Now customers using Windows NT Server can find the kind of high-performance, secure configuration that in the past was the exclusive domain of expensive, proprietary systems."

Pricing and availability

The Octopus package for InterServe servers is available immediately. U.S. list price is $2,840. For more detailed price, configuration, and additional sales information for InterServe servers, customers can call 800/763-0242.

Intergraph Background Information

Intergraph Computer Systems is the world leader in 3D graphics technology, products, and services for Windows NT. Intergraph develops, manufactures, sells, and supports computer systems for the creative and technical desktop, as well as high-performance servers, networking, and interoperability products for IT solutions. Hardware products include Pentium Pro Processor/Windows NT-based graphics workstations and servers. A member of the Fortune 1000, Intergraph Corporation is the world's largest company dedicated to supplying interactive computer graphics systems and the world's largest independent developer of Windows NT-based applications.

Octopus Background Information

Octopus Technologies, based in Yardley, Penn., provides software that aids in insuring continuous operations in business critical operations. The Octopus family of products provides high availability, immediate access, and minimal recovery time. Octopus also provides options as an efficient data transport device for data distribution, localized processing and decision based processing considerations. Octopus products are the world leaders in real time fault tolerance, disaster recovery, continuous backup, and data availability products in support of Microsoft Windows NT. Octopus products are certified for Microsoft BackOffice for the Windows NT environment. -0-