UNIX: New UNIX Cluster Solution from Siemens Guarantees Optimum Availability - Reliant Cluster Server II from Siemens Computer System - Product Announcement

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, April 19, 1999

Siemens Computer Systems, a division of Siemens Information and Communication Products LLC, announced the Reliant Cluster Server II offering for high-end enterprise applications, delivering record high-levels of operational reliability and ease of administration. The Reliant Cluster Server II combines up to eight symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) UNIX computer nodes with Siemens' RM600 E servers delivering scalability, storage and disaster recovery capabilities to meet the requirements of all commercial users.

The Reliant Cluster Server II, with scalability up to 192 CPUs and 192-Gbyte main memory, represents the next level in development of Siemens cluster technology, which is firmly established in the market with thousands of installations worldwide. This new generation of server is as easy to administer as a standalone SMP system because of the Java-based administration interface providing a single view of the Server and the high-performance network connecting the nodes, optimizing high-speed data exchange. The new Reliant Cluster Server II was developed specially for the parallel database servers from Oracle and Informix and therefore offers excellent scalability for the increasing requirements of enterprise computing. The new added scalability is a result of the internationally renowned SCI (Scalable Coherent Interconnect) standard, which offers the high throughput of 1 Gbyte per second allowing extremely fast communication between the computer nodes. "With the growing presence of mission critical applications in the business environment and Internet access round-the-clock availability of applications and data has become increasingly integral in a company's system administration," said Richard McCormack director of product marketing for Siemens Computer Systems. "The Reliant Cluster server II offers Siemens' customers an innovative solution to meet the challenges they face in today's enterprise computing environment." The Reliant Cluster Server II is also suited for disaster recovery configurations because the SMP nodes can be located up to six miles apart from one another. The Fiber Channel, using fiber optic technology as the transmission medium, can optionally be used to connect the disk subsystems. An I/O (Input/Output) throughput of up to 800 Megabytes per second can be achieved as a result, which means that even the most demanding requirements in areas such as data warehousing can easily be met. Siemens Computer Systems provides computer products specifically for the North American market and is a division of Siemens Information and Communication Products LLC, a leading developer and manufacturer of communications equipment including computer systems and software, point-of-sale solutions, automated teller machines, cordless phones, copper and fiber cabling and professional IT services. The company is a subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global business with more than $64 billion in sales in its latest fiscal year. For more information about Siemens Computer Systems North American business, visit www.siemenscomputers.com.