Network Appliance Delivers New Version of Windows/UNIX Data-Sharing Software for File Server Appliance

Business Wire, July 6, 1998

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 6, 1998--

Advances Native Cross-Platform File Sharing, Manageability,

Reliability for Enterprise Network Environments

Network Appliance Inc. (NASDAQ:NTAP), the leading provider of dedicated data-access and storage appliances, today announced the immediate availability of Windows Networking software 3.0 for the company's file server appliances, known as "filers."

The new version provides enterprise IT managers with the highest-performance, multiprotocol data infrastructure solution for the most effective data management across a mixed UNIX-NT enterprise network.

Windows Networking software 3.0, delivered with Network Appliance's(TM) (NetApp(R)) Data ONTAP(TM) operating software, provides native Windows(R) NT file and directory permissions and support for native Windows NT administration tools and backup utilities. Unlike other solutions that cannot provide the level of locking integration required for guaranteed safe data sharing, NetApp's Windows Networking software gives superior data protection in heterogeneous client operating environments while users benefit from industry-leading Windows file sharing performance and server manageability.

"We estimate that 90 percent of all distributed systems enterprises will be dependent on both UNIX and Windows NT by 2000," said Jay Bretzmann, vice president/worldwide systems research at IDC. Other industry research indicates that currently approximately 30 percent of administrators share files between UNIX and Windows NT platforms.

"In today's mixed-platform world, mission-critical data management requires cross-platform, multi-protocol solutions with the highest levels of interoperability and reliability," said Charlie Simmons, vice president of marketing of NetApp. "As the storage industry shifts from shared storage to shared files, NetApp is the only vendor to enable true file system sharing, with a highly scalable but remarkably simple approach. As a result, we're fundamentally enhancing our customers' performance, increasing productivity and - ultimately reducing costs."

Robust Reliability and Enhanced Data Integrity

With Windows Networking software version 3.0, NetApp extends its SecureShare(TM) technology to support not only industry-leading multiprotocol file locking but also native Windows NT file and directory permissions. As a result, customers receive fully integrated security on a single server and a true choice of security style: UNIX, NT or mixed. All data remains accessible to all users, regardless of the security style chosen. The secure file system ensures data integrity and gives users the critical reliability required in enterprise IT computing environments, as well s where NetApp sets the standard," said David Buckley, manager of UNIX Systems at Nicholas Applegate. "We have deployed six NetApp file servers in a mixed UNIX/NT enviroenterprise messaging applications. NetApp consiility to serve both UNIX and Windows clients from a single platform," said James Wallas, system administrator for Siemens, Boca Raton, Fla. "The ability to choose between UNIX and Windows NT file permissions within the same file system and know that, whatever security style I choose, etworking software version 3.0 supports native Windows NT Server Manager and User Manager, providing Windows-oriented administrators with familiar tools for a shorter learning curve and easier filer administration. With new support for Wied support for non-US character sets for Windows users using languages other than English.

About Data ONTAP

NetApp filers' Data ONTAP (Open Network Technology for Appliance Products) provides simultaneous, high-speed access to multiple native data formats, including NFS, CIFS (Windows Networking) and HTTP (Web). Data ONTAP's architectnce file system with RAID-4 (Redundant Array ofion performance independent of the read- write Data ONTAP is also compatible with the NDMP datwork Appliance

Network Appliance, a veteran in network filing and caching, has been providing Internet solutions for over five years. Major corporations and ISPs, including Citicorp Securities, Siemens, Lockheed, Cisco, AOL, Motorola and Texas Instruments have deployed NetApp appliance solutions. Network Appliance develops and markets dedicated network storage servers for UNIX, Windows and the World Wide Web. These appliances deliver fast, simple, reliable and cost-effective access to data stored on the network or across the Internet. The company pioneered the concept of the "network appliance," an extension of the industry trend toward dedicated, specialized products that perform a single function. Network Appliance filers and NetCache(TM) appliances are based on the company's innovative data access software known as Data ONTAP and standards-compliant hardware. More information is available on the Internet at http://www.netapp.com.

Note to Editors: NetApp is a registered trademark and Network Appliance, Data ONTAP, NetCache, SecureShare, Snapshot, and WAFL are trademarks of Network Appliance Inc. All other brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and should be treated as such.