Z-force and Rackable Systems to Provide High Density, Best Value NAS Solution for High Compute Data Centers; Up to 72TB As a Single File System in a Single 44U Rack

Business Wire, April 7, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NAB2003

BOOTH #C4162-C

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 2003

Z-force, Inc., the inventor of the "file switch," and Rackable Systems (TM), Inc. a leading provider of rack mount high-density compute server and storage solutions, today announced the world's highest density and best value NAS solution -- with up to 72 terabytes (TB) of NAS storage, two Z-Force file switches and gigabit Ethernet networking infrastructure in a single 44U cabinet. In addition, Z-force announced it has named Rackable Systems as a "Platinum Reseller Partner." As a Platinum Reseller Partner, Rackable will bring similar high density, low-cost and scalable NAS solutions to its extensive customer base in the high-performance computing markets.

"Z-force and Rackable together illustrate how the powerful capabilities of NAS aggregation can be delivered in a very dense rack and at a very low cost," said Duke Lambert, vice president of sales, Z-force, Inc. "With Rackable's growing leadership position in high-performance computing and their innovative approach to rack-mounted solutions, they are an ideal reseller partner for Z-force."

"Rackable and Z-force solutions are a powerful combination," said Tom Barton, president and CEO, Rackable Systems, Inc. "This demonstration proves that it's finally possible to deliver SAN-like capacity and scalability with all the benefits of a file-based system to customers in the high-performance computing arena."

At NAB2003, Z-force and Rackable will demonstrate a highly scalable NAS system using industry-standard components and Z-force file switches in a Rackable Systems cabinet. The technology demonstration proves that by implementing a NAS Array within Rackable Systems' patent-pending high-density racking technology, data centers can now enjoy the high capacity and performance of "big box" NAS and SAN solutions, at the lowest cost per megabyte and in the smallest amount of space. This capability is critical in environments where real estate is at a premium. Companies frequently co-locate their data centers and pay per square foot of occupied data center space. As a result, they need very high capacity, scalable and dense storage solutions.

In addition, because the Z-force file switch enables the creation of NAS Arrays, using industry-standard, off-the-shelf building blocks, data centers now have a solution available that brings them the economic advantages of commodity computing. As a result, the cost-per-megabyte of a Z-force/Rackable solution can quickly drop below even tape-based solutions making digital storage an option for customers who, in the past, could only afford to use tape solutions for their high-performance storage needs.

Specifications of the Z-force/Rackable NAB2003 Demonstration

The Z-force/Rackable demonstration at NAB2003 was designed to prove the concept of a highly scalable NAS system and includes the following components:

-- 2 Z-force file switches

-- 6 NAS devices, each serving 2.4TB of capacity

-- 8 Xeon processor compute servers to drive load

-- 2 standard gigabit Ethernet switches

-- Rackable 22U cabinet

This demonstration will show Windows and Linux-based access to a single 8TB file system through two Z-force file switches and growing the file system to 12TB with no downtime. Due to the high density of Rackable's technology, a single 44U cabinet can support a NAS system that scales up to 72TB including the NAS devices, two Z-force file switches and all the associated L2 switching fabric. This single-rack, single NAS file system is comparable in cost to tape-based solutions.

About Z-force's Reseller Program

As a Z-force "Platinum Reseller Partner," Rackable will offer its customers customized NAS solutions, by building NAS systems that meet their specific capacity, performance, space and cost requirements. Rackable is renown for its world-class mechanical design, with servers featuring a broad range of innovations that lead to better density, better thermal management and easier serviceability. The company's back-to-back chassis design allows it to fit twice as many CPUs into a given space as its competitors. Rackable has gained traction with such high-profile customers as Electronic Arts, Google, Inktomi, Sony America, Tellme, Webex, and Yahoo!, as well as many government and scientific computing customers.

Z-force's reseller strategy is to partner with the leading resellers in a variety of targeted vertical markets. Rackable Systems joins Rorke Data(1) as one of Z-force's first "Platinum Reseller Partners." Z-force's reseller program includes two certification levels:

Platinum Reseller Partner: Resellers who build and market NAS

Arrays, train staff and their channel, carry inventory and

provide post sales support

Reseller Partner: Resellers who help Z-force to identify sales

opportunities and manage the sales process

Companies interested in joining the Z-force reseller program should inquire via email to: sales@z-force.com

About Z-force

Z-force, Inc.'s new "file switch" technology is revolutionizing network attached storage (NAS) by bringing incrementally scalable performance, capacity and manageability at dramatically reduced price points to NAS. Z-force was founded in 1999 and has offices in Laguna Hills, Calif. and Santa Clara, Calif. For more information, visit: www.z-force.com.