SuSE Delivers Linux 2.4 Support for Panasonic 4.7GB DVD-RAM Drive; SuSE Linux 7.1 Features Robust Kernel with Personal, Departmental, Enterprise Rewritable DVD Support

Business Wire, May 8, 2001

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MILPITAS Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2001

Panasonic and SuSE Linux, the international technology leader in open source operating system software, announced today that SuSE Linux 7.1 provides complete driver support for Panasonic 4.7GB DVD-RAM drives. With driver support for the drive, Linux users have low-cost, rewritable storage for feature-length videos, system back-up/recovery and multimedia applications as well as a 6x DVD reader and a 24x CD reader.

SuSE Linux 7.1 is a comprehensive collection of the best solutions on Linux today and includes the new Linux 2.4 kernal which provides increased USB support for personal computer users and enhanced scalability for network administrators. Two versions of the product are available: a Personal Edition for home and small office users, and an advanced Professional Edition for developers and network administrators. Both versions include the link Linux users need to take advantage of the many benefits that the Panasonic rewritable DVD offers. The Linux driver treats DVD-RAM media like any other removable hard drive media, allowing users to treat the DVD-RAM drive just as they would any other hard drive in Linux.

Easy to install, configure and use, SuSE Linux 7.1 Personal automatically detects and resizes window partitions during installation so users can quickly set up their sound cards, Internet access and support for peripherals such as the Panasonic DVD-RAM drives. In addition to including a complete office suite package, SuSE's Personal version offers more than 700 open-source application packages, web browsing and email support and sophisticated image editing software.

SuSE Linux Professional is an enterprise-level package with more than 2,500 programs for servers, networking, security, cross-platform data exchange and multimedia applications. The new version incorporates comprehensive server support for databases, email, e-commerce, Web, ftp, and file servers, as well as library and logical volume management. The longevity and reliability of the removable DVD-RAM media, combined with its low storage cost, make it an excellent centralized storage solution for these high-volume applications.

The Panasonic DVD-RAM drive combines the ease of use and random access of a hard drive with transfer rates of up to 22.16Mb/sec and 95msec access times. Offering 4.7GB of fast, random access on a single-sided disc (9.4GB on the double-sided disc) and more than 100,000 overwrites for about $.005/MB, the drives are ideal for meeting the growing storage requirements of businesses and individuals that are enhancing their communications with digitized audio signals, 3-D graphics, animation, and high-resolution videos.

"SuSE is committed to bringing the advantages of Linux to a broader audience," said Roland Dyroff, SuSE Linux AG CEO. "Now that Linux is easier to use, application and support for peripherals such as the Panasonic DVD-RAM drive will play a key roll in increasing its market share. With SuSE Linux," he continued, "Linux users can simply install the drive and take advantage of the many capabilities of the drive."

"SuSE has developed one of the most complete and most well-documented Linux distribution packages on the market," said Dana Berzin, DVD product manager at Panasonic Industrial Company's Global Computer Group. "We appreciate their efforts and are certain SuSE Linux will be instrumental in fueling the growth of rewritable DVD in the Linux market."

Pricing, Availability

SuSE Linux 7.1 is available now from SuSE's web site, www.suse.com, and from software retailers worldwide. The Personal version has a suggested list price of $29.95 and includes three manuals and 60 days of installation support by fax or email. The Professional version lists for $69.95 and includes four manuals and 90 days of installation support.

Panasonic Industrial Company's 4.7GB OEM DVD-RAM drive is available as an internal drive with a SCSI-2 interface (model LF-D291N) or with an ATAPI interface (model LF-D211V). The Panasonic-branded internal drive, model LF-D201U, is available from Panasonic Digital Document Company (PDDC) and has an MSRP of $549. Double-sided 9.4GB DVD-RAM media, 4.7GB single-sided media and 4.7GB bare disc media, which are marketed under the Panasonic brand name, are also available from several other leading manufacturers. The 4.7GB bare disc DVD-RAM media can be played back on the latest Panasonic DVD-ROM drives, as well as Panasonic's new DVD Player and DVD Recorder.

About SuSE Linux AG

SuSE Linux AG, Nuremberg/Germany, is one of the world's leading providers of complete solutions based on the Open Source operating system Linux. In addition to operating systems and application software for private customers, SuSE Linux AG offers software solutions and complete systems for the deployment of Linux in companies.

SuSE supports its enterprise customers with a comprehensive range of qualified consulting, training, and support services. The company, which hosts the world's largest development team for Open Source solutions, has made its unique project and support know-how accessible via the Internet in the largest existing Linux knowledge database. Currently, SuSE Linux AG has more than 500 employees. The company runs subsidiaries in six countries.