Workstation Solutions Announces Quick Restore 2.6, Expanding Data Protection for Network Appliance Filers and Linux Servers

Business Wire, Dec 13, 1999

AMHERST, NH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 1999--

Quick Restore Introduces Centralized Enterprise NDMP Backup and

Recovery and Linux Support

Workstation Solutions, supplier of the flexible and easy-to-use Quick Restore(TM) backup and recovery solution, today announced Quick Restore 2.6 with centralized enterprise NetApp(R) filer-to-UNIX(R) server NDMP backup and recovery. NetApp customers can now back up filers to a centrally located backup server with an attached tape library. In addition, new Linux support empowers customers to choose an Intel(R)- or AMD(TM)-based Linux server as a central administrative backup server.

Filer-to-UNIX server backup adds a new degree of functionality for enterprise data protection. Companies that centralize backup and recovery operations through one or more backup servers can now protect filer-resident data on the same server, maximizing investments in tape libraries. Quick Restore's flexibility allows customers to choose the best configuration for their needs including: -0-

--   Backup a filer to a UNIX or Linux backup server's tape library
--   Backup from a filer to a local tape device for fast performance
--   Backup from a filer to another filer's tape device via the
     network
--   Backup from a UNIX, Linux or Windows NT server to a filer with a
     local tape device

Quick Restore is the only backup and recovery solution that bundles each of these capabilities with standard licenses at no extra charge. "Quick Restore is clearly the best choice for NetApp filer backup," said Jim Cozens, CAD Systems Manager at Imagination Technologies, Ltd. in London. "It's easy to configure, reliable and easy to use. Workstation Solutions is a fast moving, responsive company offering a product with great value."

Workstation Solutions also announces the first-in-the-industry, enterprise-ready backup and recovery solution for Red Hat(R) Linux servers and clients. Linux, an open source operating system used by over 10 million users worldwide, paired with Intel or AMD servers, provides an economical alternative for enterprise networks. Linux-based Quick Restore administrative servers can now manage heterogeneous backup and recovery in networks of Linux, Windows NT(R) and commercial UNIX servers and NetApp filers. (See separate release dated December 14, 1999 at www.worksta.com.(1))

"Our partnership with Workstation Solutions has resulted in several key product offerings that improve the data availability and data protection needs of NetApp's customers," said Mike Marchi, Director of Enterprise Marketing for Network Appliance(TM). "With Quick Restore 2.6, Workstation Solutions has extended its backup and recovery solution to deliver centralized backup functionality for NetApp storage appliances. In addition, by providing Linux support, Workstation Solutions is addressing a growing market opportunity for new and innovative backup solutions."

Quick Restore 2.6 also allows customers to share large tape libraries among UNIX and Windows NT servers and NetApp filers. Each tape drive in a library can be attached to a different server or workstation allowing fast, local backup from many hosts.

Through joint support in Quick Restore 2.6 and the latest version of Data ONTAP(TM), Quick Restore employs a unique-to-the-industry device interface that leverages maximum performance and functionality from leading tape drives and tape libraries. This device interface provides detailed error detection, reporting and recovery, allowing for accurate diagnosis of device problems.

Quick Restore's extensive platform support now includes over 16 UNIX systems, Linux and Windows NT. Quick Restore 2.6 also adds support for new Ecrix VXA and HP tape drives and robots to its broad list of supported devices.

Availability

Quick Restore 2.6 will be available within 30 days, and will support the latest release of Network Appliance's Data ONTAP. For additional information on all Workstation Solutions products, please contact Workstation Solutions sales at 800-487-0080 or 603-672-8600, via email at sales@worksta.com or visit http://www.worksta.com.

About Network Appliance, Inc.

Network Appliance, a veteran in network file serving and caching, has been providing data access solutions since 1992. Major corporations and ISPs, including Lycos, Yahoo!, Citicorp Securities, Siemens, Lockheed, Cisco, Motorola and Texas Instruments have deployed NetApp solutions. NetApp Internet caching solutions (NetCache(TM) appliances) and file servers ("filers") deliver fast, simple, reliable and cost-effective access to network-stored data and enable simultaneous shared file services for UNIX, Windows NT and the World Wide Web.

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 appliances are based on the Company's innovative data access software known as Data ONTAP(TM) operating system and standards-compliant hardware. More information is available at http://www.netapp.com.