String Bean Software Announces WinTarget Upgrades, Combines iSCSI Storage and Data Protection Consolidation for the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Platform

Business Wire, Oct 19, 2004

MONTGOMERY VILLAGE, Md. -- Maryland-Based Company Inks Tier 1 OEM Agreement with Fujitsu Siemens Computers for WinTarget

String Bean Software, Inc., a developer of Storage Area Network (SAN) software solutions for the Windows platform, today announced the availability of powerful new WinTarget(TM) features that extend Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) storage consolidation with integrated data protection. WinTarget v1.2, optimized for the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 platform, provides affordable solutions to provisioning, protection, and availability. Further, WinTarget v1.2 eliminates upgrade disruption, backup windows, and recovery downtime, factors considered as major concerns to the Small- to Mid-Sized Business (SMB) and enterprise department.

"Traditionally, data protection has not been included as a function of the storage subsystem," said Thieu Le, President, String Bean Software. "Understanding the importance of this dual functionality, we provide this capability in WinTarget v1.2 by utilizing the Windows Server 2003 platform as a bridge to translate between storage and data. This feature is now conveniently integrated, enabling network-wide provisioning and protection."

WinTarget v1.2 allows Microsoft Windows Server 2003 to share its disk resources with other Windows computers - efficiently using the iSCSI protocol standard while the data is protected at source. Incorporating two new features - Snapshot and Data View - WinTarget v1.2 provides increased protection and ultimately reduces network traffic.

These two new features allow backups to proceed at maximum speed and efficiency as data is copied from disk to tape (or disk to disk), eliminating restore delays, as well as reducing Local Area Network (LAN) bandwidth constraints.

"Customers are telling us that they want the broadest choice of low-cost, dependable and easy to manage networked storage solutions," said Dr. Claude Lorenson, technical product manager, Storage Technologies, Windows Server Division at Microsoft Corp. "WinTarget v1.2 takes advantage of the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator and storage innovations in the Windows Server 2003 platform such as the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) to drive storage area networking to the mainstream for Windows customers."

In addition to the Snapshot and Data View functions, WinTarget v1.2
offers:

    --  File-Based WinTarget Disk

        File-based WinTarget Disks allow end users the flexibility to
        create virtual iSCSI hard disks within the existing file
        system, removing the previous repartition requirement

    --  Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) Hardware Provider

        Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) provides the
        infrastructure that enables IT professionals to implement
        highly effective data protection and recovery solutions for
        large databases and other applications through point-in-time
        snapshots. The WinTarget v1.2 VSS Hardware Provider allows the
        creation of a consistent snapshot and offers the ability to
        transport these snapshots to a centralized backup server -
        enabling server-free and LAN-free backup consolidation

    --  Network Security

        WinTarget v1.2 supports Internet Protocol Security (IPsec)
        encryption for secure transactions

    --  Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) Support

        WinTarget v1.2 supports the IPv6 standard, which improves
        scalability and interoperability

Fujitsu Siemens Computers Selects WinTarget to Add iSCSI to FibreCAT(R) NAS Systems

In a subsequent announcement, String Bean Software has partnered with Fujitsu Siemens Computers to develop the iSCSI protocol for the new FibreCAT N20i and FibreCAT N40i entry-level Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems. WinTarget technology was selected to integrate the NAS system with iSCSI SAN and bring these FibreCAT systems into the Ethernet space. The solution minimizes integration costs as it comes fully tested and ready to use with no Windows Client Access Licenses (CALs) required. The iSCSI controller allows flexible integration of internal or external backup devices at no additional cost.

"Incorporating WinTarget v1.2 in our FibreCAT N20i and FibreCAT N40i NAS systems results in a very attractive and complete storage solution that does not skimp on versatility. This boosts our entry-level storage offerings and represents an outstanding value for the SMB market," said Dr. Helmut Beck, Vice President, Storage, Fujitsu Siemens Computers.

Pricing and Availability

WinTarget v1.2 is now generally available to OEMs, channel partners, and the end user community. Free evaluation software can be accessed at www.stringbeansoftware.com. WinTarget v1.2 licenses start at $300 per server client with an unlimited license, including Snapshot and Data View, at $3,000. WinTarget v1.2 also includes limited lifetime support and maintenance.

About String Bean Software, Inc.

String Bean Software develops and markets storage management software targeted at small and mid-sized companies, as well as to individual departments within larger enterprise organizations. The company is at the forefront in the development of iSCSI solutions for the Windows platform. String Bean Software is headquartered in Montgomery Village, Maryland with additional facilities located in the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.stringbeansoftware.com.