Dell Unveils Eight-Processor PowerEdge Server; Leads Field in Internet Application Performance

Business Wire, August 23, 1999

ROUND ROCK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 23, 1999--

Dell(R) Computer Corporation (Nasdaq:DELL), the world's leading direct computer systems company, today announced worldwide the Dell PowerEdge(R) 8450, the company's most powerful server ever.

The eight-processor PowerEdge 8450 marks Dell's most aggressive response to customer demand for data center-class servers based on the Intel architecture. The new server runs compute-intensive applications such as e-commerce, Web-hosting, messaging, groupware, online transaction processing and enterprise resource planning. The PowerEdge 8450 can be ordered starting September 7th and will be built-to-order and shipped to customers beginning the end of September. Prices start at $20,999.

With the introduction of PowerEdge 8450, Dell, the No. 2 server provider in the United States and the No. 3 server provider worldwide(a), takes the lead in Web server performance among Intel-based systems and scores in the top-three for all computer types including mainframe systems, according to Specweb96 benchmark results published in July 1999(b).

Dell demonstrated through the test that its eight-processor system could handle the most intensive e-commerce applications, serving more than 22,000 Web pages per minute. The results also showed that Dell could provide leading online retailers and high-traffic Internet sites the high-end computing power and scalability typically associated with proprietary systems, at considerably less cost.

"We continue to see a large demand for server and storage consolidation solutions and for more cost-effective alternatives to RISC-based systems," said Bob Van Steenberg, vice president and general manager of Dell Enterprise Servers. "The PowerEdge 8450 is our response to this need, providing Intel-based servers that enable consolidation and can run the core business applications of the largest enterprise customers."

Using Intel's just-announced Profusion chipset, the PowerEdge 8450 supports up to eight 550 MHz Intel Pentium III Xeon processors. Dell also announced today the worldwide availability of the new 550 MHz processors for its PowerEdge 6300 and 6350 enterprise-class servers, once again meeting customer demand for the latest technology as soon as it becomes available.

PowerEdge 8450 Details

The PowerEdge 8450 currently supports the Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 operating system and Dell will offer customers Novell Netware support in the next 90 days. The Windows 2000 operating system will also be available on the PowerEdge 8450 in the coming months, and upon customer request Dell can install SCO UNIX or Sun Solaris.

Dell designed the PowerEdge 8450 to meet the space constraints of corporate data centers with a 7U height design (12.25 inches) that permits stacking up to six PowerEdge 8450 servers in a standard rack enclosure. The PowerEdge 8450 also offers fault-tolerant features such as redundant, hot-swappable hard drives, power supplies and fans, and automatic server recovery software.

Using Dell's PowerVault SAN (Storage Area Network), customers can consolidate data from up to four PowerEdge 8450 servers on to one Dell PowerVault 650F Fibre Channel storage system. That data can be backed up using PowerVault 130T digital linear tape (DLT) libraries, which are integrated into the SAN for speed of backup and ease of storage management. In addition, the PowerEdge 8450 fits into Dell's recently announced Scalable Enterprise Computing (SEC) architecture, an overarching Dell system area networking vision for Internet enabling business applications based on industry-standard technology.

The PowerEdge 8450 ships with Dell OpenManage(tm) Resolution Assistant, a problem management and diagnosis/repair application designed to reduce system downtime and provide improved service and support, announced separately today. Dell OpenManage systems management solutions are designed to give Dell customers choice while increasing system availability and reducing complexity.

Service and Support

Dell offers a range of service and support options for its PowerEdge and PowerVault storage products through its alliances with NCR Corp., UNISYS Corp. and Wang Global. By integrating these service companies, Dell offers global customers a single point of contact. Dell customers can access a worldwide force of more than 35,000 trained engineers, technicians, analysts and consultants. Installation and support services for Dell PowerVault products range from full system integration and custom on-site configuration to comprehensive hardware and software support and maintenance. Additional information on Dell's PowerEdge server and Dell PowerVault storage products is available at http://www.dell.com/products/poweredge/index.htm and http://www.dell.com/products/powervault/index.htm.> About Dell Computer Corporation

Ranked No. 78 among the Fortune 500 companies and No. 210 in the Fortune Global 500, Dell Computer Corporation is the world's leading direct computer systems company, based on revenues of $21.7 billion for the past four quarters. Dell designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained through its toll-free number 800/388-8542 or by accessing the Dell World Wide Web site at www.dell.com.