TurboLinux to Ship Breakthrough Linux Clustering Solution; TurboCluster Server Offers First Software-Based Web Server Clustering for Linux

Business Wire, August 9, 1999

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 1999--

TurboLinux, the leader in high-performance Linux, today announced the first Linux clustering application availability and scalability solution for web servers on Intel and Alpha architecture platforms. TurboCluster Server(TM), an industry-first offering from TurboLinux, is yet another milestone in making Linux an "enterprise-ready" operating system that can run mission-critical web applications for corporations. For Net businesses, the availability of TurboCluster Server offers for the first time a low-cost alternative to proprietary and more expensive Microsoft NT and UNIX cluster solutions.

Shipping in September, the new TurboCluster Server solution also lets users cluster servers running Sun Solaris and Microsoft Windows NT with Linux and will be showcased by TurboLinux at the Linux World Expo show in San Jose (booth no. 1020) as well as by hardware partners Adaptec, Compaq and IBM.

"The market has demanded an enterprise Linux clustering solution and we're the first to deliver," said Cliff Miller, CEO of TurboLinux. "TurboCluster Server is a real breakthrough for Linux. More and more of our customers are looking to migrate their mission-critical e-commerce sites to Linux and clustering was a necessary requirement."

While Linux systems are being used for some enterprise applications such as print, file and web servers, they have not penetrated the higher-end computing environments such as high-traffic e-commerce web sites and other businesses using web-based transactions.

"Scalability has been one of the shortcomings of Linux which has slowed its adoption in the commercial market," said Dan Kusnetzky, International Data Corporation's Program Director for operating environments research. "Clustering software going beyond that used to build parallel computing configurations is needed. TurboLinux is among the first Linux vendors to address this critical niche in the marketplace."

Unlike Beowulf clustering systems that are designed for highly specialized scientific computing applications, TurboCluster Server delivers clustering technology for Linux servers running mission-critical web applications in the enterprise. It provides automated control and distribution of traffic to ensure dependable, responsive TCP/IP-based services.

TurboCluster is currently in beta at over 200 reference sites, including Federal Express, Linux Today, systems builder TruSolutions, and Digital Facilities Management in New Jersey which hosts several leading casinos nationwide, including most Trump and Park Place Entertainment properties.

"After looking at clustering solutions from other major proprietary vendors, TurboCluster Server offered the best bang for our buck," said Dan Birchall, VP of Digital Facilities Management. "With easy setup and management, full redundancy, good scalability and a per-node cost that's pennies on the dollar compared to other clustering solutions, TurboCluster Server enables us to provide our corporate clients with the high availability they demand, at reasonable prices," Birchall added.

MORE ABOUT TURBOCLUSTER

TurboCluster Server is an intelligent software Linux clustering solution that runs on open standard Intel and Alpha architecture platforms. It seamlessly integrates into existing networks for immediate improvements in performance and availability of key applications and services.

TurboCluster Server virtualizes an IP service by providing a single IP and hostname for a group of servers. These servers each run their own independent copies of the clustered application (for example, each server could be running the web server Apache). A cluster is a group of TurboLinux Server nodes that are interconnected to work as a single, available and scalable web server system.

TurboCluster Server has been tested in clusters of more than 20 server nodes. TurboCluster Server automatically detects failure in hardware, operating system, web server or router software and switches traffic around the damaged machine. Intuitive administration tools let users dynamically add cluster nodes and balance loads among the different servers in the cluster. TurboCluster Server can also notify the system administrator automatically of node failure.

TurboCluster Server, with a suggested list price of $995 for two nodes and $1995 for three or more nodes, will ship for Intel architecture servers in September 1999. An Alpha version will ship in Q4 1999. More information on TurboCluster Server, including a white paper and FAQ, is available on www.community.turbolinux.com.

ABOUT TURBOLINUX

TurboLinux, formerly Pacific HiTech, was founded in 1992 and has emerged as the world's fastest growing Linux company. Since 1998, TurboLinux has shipped more than two million units of Linux globally and is the PacificRim's dominant supplier with a market share of more than 50 percent, according to Business Computer News in Japan. TurboLinux offers the only version of Linux designed for the "double byte" character sets of the Japanese and Chinese alphabets as well as European languages. The company's high-performance consumer and business Linux products are designed for Intel workstation and server platforms and supported globally by IBM and Hewlett-Packard. Headquartered in San Francisco, TurboLinux has offices in Tokyo, Beijing and Sydney. It can be found on the Internet at www.turbolinux.com or, in Japanese, at www.pht.co.jp.