Network Appliance Teams With RealNetworks to Deliver Enterprise Streaming Media Storage Solution

Business Wire, Oct 29, 2001

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2001

Network Appliance Offers RealNetworks(R)-Approved Center-to-Edge(TM)

Solution for Business-Critical Applications

Network Appliance (Nasdaq:NTAP), the leading provider of network-attached data access and content delivery solutions, today announced a Center-to-Edge streaming solution consisting of RealNetwork's RealServer(TM) and Network Appliance(TM) filers and NetCache(R) appliances. RealNetworks recently completed testing of its RealServer with NetApp(R) storage and content delivery technologies, and test results confirm that NetApp filers supporting RealSystem are reliable, manageable, and achieve superior streaming performance.

Earlier this year Network Appliance completed rigorous functional testing on its NetCache appliances, and achieved the "Certified RealSystem(TM) Compatible" distinction. With NetApp filer testing complete, NetApp now offers a complete Center-to-Edge streaming solution that includes both RealNetworks RealServer 8 as well as tested and approved content storage and caching solutions from NetApp.

"Business-critical enterprise applications such as sales training, marketing communications, and investor relations require robust streaming infrastructure that is scalable and simple to manage," said Amit Pandey, senior director of marketing, content delivery business unit, Network Appliance. "Enterprise customers that need a RealNetworks-compliant streaming infrastructure can now get their high-performing content storage and caching solutions from one vendor that works hand-in-hand with RealNetworks."

"Our customers have been asking us to test and recommend a networked storage solution for use with RealServer," said Ben Rotholtz, general manager, Media Systems, RealNetworks, Inc. "We started with NetApp because they're a market leader in storage, they're experts in streaming, and NetCache is certified RealSystem compatible. Customers that are looking for industry-leading streaming storage, caching, and delivery solutions can now turn to NetApp and RealNetworks for tested and approved solutions."

Comprehensive testing took place both at RealNetworks' performance test lab in Seattle and Network Appliance's partner test lab in Sunnyvale, Calif. Multiple tests were conducted to evaluate functionality and performance of the combined RealServer and NetApp solution. Tests included running RealServer 8.01 with NetApp filer and NetCache technology. NetApp filers demonstrated the reliability and flexibility to support multiple RealServers running on Sun(R) Solaris(R), Linux(R), or Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 2000.

About Network Appliance

Network Appliance, Inc., a leader in network file storage and content delivery, has been providing data access solutions since 1992, and is a member of both the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 index. Major corporations and service providers, including Yahoo!, Citicorp Securities, Siemens, Lockheed, Cisco, Motorola, and Texas Instruments have deployed NetApp solutions.

The company pioneered the concept of the "network appliance," an extension of the industry trend toward dedicated, specialized products that perform a single function. NetApp storage and content delivery platforms (filers and NetCache appliances) are coupled with powerful content distribution and reporting software. This Center-to-Edge solution offers seamless data management from the back-end data center to the edge of the network quickly, simply and reliably. The Network Appliance product portfolio utilizes the company's innovative data access software, known as the Data ONTAP(TM) operating system, as well as standards-compliant hardware. It also offers multiprotocol support and transparent integration for UNIX(R) and Windows environments.

Note to Editors: NetApp and NetCache are registered trademarks and Network Appliance, Center-to-Edge, and Data ONTAP are trademarks of Network Appliance, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. RealNetworks is a registered trademark and RealServer and RealSystem are trademarks of RealNetworks, Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Sun and Solaris are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group. All other brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and should be treated as such.