News release

Compaq Raises the Standard for Data Protection Solutions

Provides Streamlined Customer Process for Deployment and Growth of End-to-End Data Protection

Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) today announced four related data protection products including the market's first Capacity Upgrade Technology for tape libraries. This announcement also sets a precedent for Compaq's method of data protection software distribution. Compaq will now provide the capability for its customers to directly source and license the entire data protection solution, including the hardware, software and global services, directly from Compaq.

The four new products included in this announcement are the SANworks Data Protection Suites for Backup and Restore, the StorageWorks ESL9595SL Enterprise Storage Library, the StorageWorks Network Storage Router M2402 with serverless backup, and the StorageWorks DLT1 1280 SuperLoader.

"Compaq recognizes that data protection is paramount to businesses of all sizes and works with customers as they define and implement their backup strategies," said Rusty Smith, director, Compaq Enterprise Storage Group. "With this announcement Compaq is delivering products which will enable our customers to streamline the data protection process, from purchasing software and upgrading storage systems to managing solutions from remote locations."

The Single-Source Data Protection Suites

The SANworks Data Protection Suites for Backup and Restore by Compaq offer customers a streamlined purchase and implementation process by providing a single source for data protection software and services from Compaq. Customers can purchase a feature rich and fully integrated backup solution, including licensed software that has been tested and qualified with Compaq configurations.

The Data Protection Suites for Backup and Restore contain leading ISV backup applications, software utilities and product information. Customers may choose software from CommVault Systems, Computer Associates, Dantz Development, or VERITAS Software and among four editions based on configuration requirements including Single Server, Network, Entry Level SAN and Corporate SAN editions, all of which support Windows environments. Compaq plans to include other leading ISVs in future releases. The Data Protection Suites for Backup and Restore are available through Compaq directly, Compaq resellers or Compaq Online.

Market First: Capacity Upgrade Technology

The StorageWorks ESL9595SL is the first tape library in the market with Capacity Upgrade Technology that enables companies to increase capacity through a license key quickly and painlessly. This Capacity Upgrade Technology allows customers to boost the total storage capacity within the tape library as their data storage demands rise. Eliminating the need for new purchases and installations significantly reduces customer downtime.

The ESL9595SL is shipped fully configured with 595 cartridge slots. The customer can purchase and enable the full capacity immediately or can choose to purchase a reduced configuration (400- or 500-cartridge slots) and later expand to the full slot configuration through a license key upgrade. This high-capacity solution for unattended backup and restore is ideal for customers who maintain larger server pools, serviced by NAS devices or SANs. High availability features offer component redundancy for continuous uptime and the best level of reliability in the industry.

Compaq First: Server-Free Backup Solution

The StorageWorks Network Storage Router M2402 adds performance to backup by eliminating the server bottleneck. Customers extend the benefit of their SAN-based backups by offloading backup traffic from the servers so that data is routed directly from hard drive storage on the SAN to tape libraries on the SAN. The 1U Fibre Channel-to-SCSI router, equipped with advanced management capabilities, allows multiple host servers on a SAN to communicate with a differential SCSI tape device over a Fibre Channel link. The Network Storage Router eliminates the need for dedicated backup servers, leaving the servers free to perform other functions.

Modular, Expandable, High-Density Autoloader

The StorageWorks DLT1 1280 SuperLoader extends the benefits of automation by offering both high-capacity storage and enterprise data protection features at a price point attractive to departmental customers. The StorageWorks SuperLoader brings to the industry a modular, expandable autoloader with the highest cartridge capacity in a 2U rack-mount form factor. It is designed to reduce the workload for IT staff of small to medium businesses by freeing them from having to physically reload tapes during backup and providing them web-based remote data management capabilities. Unlike other autoloaders, the StorageWorks SuperLoader offers enterprise class features such as 1.28TB of compressed data storage capacity for the lowest cost per gigabyte in its market segment.

Company Background

Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation is a leading global provider of information technology products, services, and solutions for enterprise customers. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures, and markets information technology equipment, software, services, and solutions, including industry-leading enterprise storage and computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, communication products, personal desktop and notebook computers, and personal entertainment and Internet access devices sold in more than 200 countries directly and through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Information on Compaq and its products and services is available at: http://www.compaq.com.