News release

Compaq Teams With Altiris to Deliver Automated Deployment Solution for Hyper-Dense ProLiant Server Environments

Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) today announced that it is working with Altiris, Inc. to develop a remote, automated server deployment software solution for market-leading Compaq ProLiant™ servers based on the Altiris eXpress™ Deployment Server platform. The solution is being co-developed to deliver customers rapid and fully automated server deployment capabilities from a remote console, which is particularly valuable in hyper-dense server environments. The new technology will also be a key element of the Compaq management tools for its forthcoming new ProLiant server architecture, code-named 'QuickBlade.'

Designed to maximize customer resources and increase business velocity, the solution will integrate Altiris Deployment Server with the Compaq SmartStart Scripting Toolkit to significantly reduce deployment and redeployment cycle times for customers with large-volume server requirements. Combined with the upcoming Compaq ProLiant QuickBlade server architecture, the solution will enable customers to provision and rapidly deploy large volumes of servers quickly and efficiently.

"Customers want simple solutions for IT that maximize their resources in the increasingly dynamic data center. Today Compaq is further simplifying critical processes like the rapid deployment and redeployment of server farms," said Mary McDowell, senior vice president and general manager, Compaq Industry Standard Server Group. "With Altiris, Compaq is adding rapid, remote server deployment software to the Compaq Insight Management Suite for ProLiant servers that will be critical to IT environments as Compaq changes the face of dense computing with its ProLiant QuickBlade architecture."

"The Altiris Deployment Server architecture is designed to save customers time by using intuitive solutions that easily deploy data center resources, like industry-standard ProLiant servers, throughout their entire IT lifecycle," said Greg Butterfield, president and CEO of Altiris. "Our ongoing partnership with Compaq will provide customers with a fully automated deployment solution that not only makes managing the deployment and redeployment of servers easier, but also has an immediate positive impact on customers' critical bottom lines."

Remote Server Deployment Console

Featuring industry-standard Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) technology, the new solution will maximize customers' IT resources by providing a full server build from a remote console for initial power on, automated server configuration on the fly and installation of standard software sets based on server roles. In addition, an intuitive interface will reduce the level of IT skill sets previously needed to deploy and redeploy servers in the data center and throughout the network.

The agreement between Compaq and Altiris includes joint marketing and product development activities and expands their relationship, formed in 1999 to deliver best-in-class personal computer management and software deployment products, into the server realm.

Pricing and Availability

The new technology will be available to customers worldwide in Q4 of 2001.

About Compaq

Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation ("Compaq") is a leading global provider of enterprise technology and solutions. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures and markets hardware, software, solutions and services, including industry-leading enterprise storage and computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, communication products, and desktop and portable personal computers that are sold in more than 200 countries. Information on Compaq and its products and services is available at http://www.compaq.com.