Storage: Storage Computer Offers Industry First Self-Contained Storage Area Network - Product Announcement

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Feb 8, 1999

Storage Computer Corporation, a leading worldwide provider of software- driven storage solutions, Monday announced the availability of the industry's first logical storage area network (SAN). When used with the latest versions of Storage Computer's Storage Operating System, the company's line of OmniRAID storage servers emulates the functionality of a switched SAN without requiring the use of fibre channel-based connectivity products.

"The prevailing myth in the storage industry is that fibre channel is synonymous with building a functioning SAN," explains John Webster, vice president of marketing, Storage Computer Corporation. "However, the fundamentals of a SAN, with the ability to share files across multiple hosts and the ability to share access to a single file, without taxing network resources, can be accomplished in the OmniRAID server. Our customers do not need to wait for other vendors to solve compatibility problems or establish interoperability standards." Many of the features found in the company's line of RAID storage servers make it possible to create logical or self-contained SANs. Primarily, the device's multi-host, concurrent connectivity provides a scalable platform for real-time data sharing in a heterogeneous environment. Using the OmniRAID server, end users are able to effectively transfer data within the storage environment without having to physically move files across the network. This capability is particularly valuable in imaging and printing industries, wherein large, data intensive files are being developed on one platform and printed on a second. "With the continued acceptance of NT as a viable enterprise platform, increasing numbers of corporations will be looking for solutions, such as storage area networks, that allow for real-time access and manipulation of data from a variety of hosts and disparate platforms," states David Hill, senior analyst, Aberdeen Group. "To address these growing market needs, Storage Computer has developed a unique architecture within their RAID storage devices that effectively offers the functionality of a self-contained SAN." About Storage Computer Corporation Storage Computer Corporation develops and manufactures software-driven storage solutions that automate the management, tuning and migration of core business applications stored on high-end UNIX and NT servers through its StorageSuite product line and patented OmniRAID storage software. Storage Computer Corporation is a publicly held company traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol SOS. The Company's worldwide headquarters are in Nashua, New Hampshire, with subsidiaries and distribution in over 30 countries. Company information may be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.storage.com.