Quantum Penetrates New Markets with Introduction of Snap Server 4000 File Server

Business Wire, Feb 24, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CeBIT 2000

HANNOVER, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--February 24, 2000

Snap Server 4000 Sets New Standards for Network Attached

Storage Products By Offering an Enhanced Feature Set

Including 120GB, RAID 5, and a Rack Mountable

Design at a Sub-$3000 Price Point

Quantum Corporation's DLT and Storage Systems Group's (NYSE:DSS) Snap Division today announced that this week it will begin shipping the industry's first 120GB RAID 5 capable workgroup file server with a manufacturer's suggested U.S. resale price of under $3,000. The Snap Server 4000 is part of a rapidly growing market segment sometimes referred to as Network Attached Storage (NAS). This product is built with Quantum's renowned reputation for reliability and extends the company's market leadership position in the NAS workgroup market. The award-winning Snap Server(TM) product line now includes the 10GB Snap Server 1000 (the industry's first sub-$500 file server), the Snap Server 2000 in 20 and 40GB models, and the latest Snap Server 4000 at 120GB which comes in a rack mountable form factor.

The new Snap Server 4000 is designed to fulfill higher-end network needs to meet the requirements for corporate workgroups in large organizations, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Application Service Providers (ASPs). The Snap Server is a more cost-effective alternative to a NT server, providing better compatibility, ease of use, reliability, and high performance at a fraction of the cost.

"The addition of the fault tolerance provided by RAID 5, the move to a rack mount form factor, and the much larger capacity of 120GB will allow the Snap Server 4000 to easily fit into large corporations and the ISP market," said Anders Axelsson, general manager of Quantum's Snap Division. "The Snap Server 4000 is an extremely important part of our product line providing corporate workgroups with maximum performance and flexibility as they struggle to keep up with their growing storage requirements."

Key features of the Snap Server 4000 include:

--   120GB storage capacity (four Quantum hard drives)

--   RAID 0, RAID 1 or RAID 5 compliance

--   Rack mountable

--   Cross platform file sharing support (Windows, NetWare,
     Macintosh, Linux, and Unix)

--   Security integration with Windows NT and NetWare

--   Macintosh TCP/IP support and ability to replicate server
     settings

--   Easy remote administration via Microsoft and Netscape browsers

--   Pentium processor

--   Year 2000 compliant

Ease of Use

The Snap Server 4000 installs in less than five minutes which is unprecedented for this class of product. This product also offers remote administration via a web browser that allows the unit to be managed from anywhere in the office or anywhere in the world. Additional features such as event based e-mail notification of potential problems can also enhance the user experience.

Compatibility

The Snap Server 4000 is the only file server in its class to offer mixed-network support. It is pre-configured for simultaneous integration into all major networking environments including: Microsoft, Novell, UNIX/Linux, Apple, and peer-to-peer Windows networks, over TCP/IP, IPX, NetBEUI, and AppleTalk.

Capacity, Performance, and Price

The Snap Server 4000 features a Pentium class processor, offers 120GB of storage, and supports up to 100 simultaneous connections. At approximately $2,999 (list price), internal testing confirms that the Snap Server 4000 offers performance equal to or better than traditional NT file servers.

Security

In addition to onboard security, the Snap Server 4000 is the only product in its class that can be integrated within existing Microsoft NT Domain and Novell NetWare Bindery Server security models.

Rack Mount Design

The Snap Server 4000 features a 2u high Rack Mount design that easily fits into a standard 19-inch rack.

RAID 5

Similar to the Snap Server 2000, the Snap Server 4000 offers RAID 0 and 1. New for the Snap Server 4000, however, is the addition of RAID 5.

Product Availability and Warranty

The Snap Server 4000 will be available at the end of February. End users can purchase the entire Snap Server product line through their local VAR or leading catalog resellers. The Snap Server product line is available for North American VARs through Ingram Micro and Tech Data, Quantum's authorized distributors for the Snap Server products. The product line is also available through selected catalog resellers.

North American Snap Server customers can also rely on Quantum's best-in-class service and support. The product line comes with a three-year limited parts and labor warranty; toll free telephone technical support available Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PST; advanced Web support tools, and a 30-day money back guarantee.

The NAS Market Opportunity

According to PC Data, Quantum currently holds the number one position in the workgroup network attached storage market (Distributor Hardware Report, January 2000). Industry analysts predict that the NAS market is projected to reach $4.5 billion within four years (Dataquest/GartnerGroup, May 1999), and Quantum is leading the market by offering the most easy to use and cost-effective NAS solutions available. A traditional file server can cost as much as $3,000 to $10,000, and requires an IT specialist to spend several hours or even days to install. The Snap Server product line is now available in 10, 20, 40, and 120GB models in prices ranging from $499 to $2,999. Each Snap Server connects directly to the LAN and can be installed by persons with minimal technical experience in a matter of minutes without disrupting the network.