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MPC Computers Enters Rapidly Growing IP SAN Storage Market

Posted on: Tuesday, 26 October 2004, 09:00 CDT

NAMPA, Idaho, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- MPC Computers, a Gores Technology Group company, today announced the DataFRAME 420 storage product based on IP SAN technology. IP SANs (IP-based Storage Area Networks) utilize a powerful technology called iSCSI that allows SANs to be implemented on common inexpensive Gigabit Ethernet instead of expensive Fibre Channel networks.

IP SAN technology greatly reduces the cost of implementing a SAN and provides far more scalability and ease of use than Fibre Channel-based solutions. Designed to work with existing servers, Ethernet switches, network interface cards and storage arrays, IP SANs make installation and addition of new storage inexpensive and easy. It's usually as simple as connecting another Ethernet device to the network and provisioning out the storage.

According to Robert Gray, IDC's vice president of worldwide storage systems research, "The iSCSI movement is a classic disruptive technology. This protocol for storage networks, which uses traditional data networks, initially meets the needs of smaller, economically pressed IT organizations looking for value and seamless integration with existing infrastructure and staff. They are overserved by traditional, specialized storage network technology. The iSCSI and Ethernet technology evolution road map positions it to eventually challenge the incumbent Fibre Channel technology." (Doc #30089, September 2003)

DataFRAME 420

The DataFRAME 420 is a new storage product from MPC Computers featuring IP SAN technology. Replacing MPC's Fibre Channel-based DataFRAME 310fc, the DataFRAME 420 exploits the benefits of IP SAN technology in an affordable, scalable, easy-to-use storage product.

"The DataFRAME 420 with IP SAN technology provides mid-market customers with high-end, affordable storage solutions and management software features that have traditionally not been available to this segment," said Paul Petersen, MPC's vice president of product development and marketing. "We are excited to offer our customers a feature-rich SAN product with limitless storage capabilities at an exceptional value."

DataFRAME 420 Hardware

The DataFRAME 420 features 16 hot swap SATA drives and 4TB of storage per 3U enclosure, with the ability to add as many enclosures as needed. The flexibility to add additional enclosures adds value by enabling organizations to "pay as they grow."

This storage product also features support for RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 and 50 for optimized performance and fault tolerance, as well as the choice between dual Gigabit Ethernet iSCSI or Fibre Channel connectivity for greater networking flexibility. The DataFRAME 420 includes hot swappable, redundant power supplies and fans ensuring a high degree of reliability.

The capacity, performance, and manageability of the DataFRAME 420 make it the ideal product for medium-sized businesses, enterprise workgroups or departmental environments of government and education organizations. With the DataFRAME 420, organizations like these can easily augment their existing infrastructure in terms of both additional storage space and high-speed data retrieval.

DataFRAME 420 Software

The DataFRAME 420 offers powerful, easy-to-use software management tools as well. The base management software for the DF 420 is an easy-to-use graphical Java-based interface. Additional software features include:

* Volume Over-Subscription -- One of the biggest challenges IT has when

deploying servers is upgrading system drive capacity as the system

outgrows its internal storage. With Volume Over-Subscription, an IT

administrator can provision all the storage a server will need

throughout its planned life right up front, regardless of how much

physical storage is available on the DataFRAME 420. As the DataFRAME

420 uses up physical disk space, it will alert the IT administrator to

add additional space in the SAN, which is seamlessly done and

eliminates server down time.

* Scalability Software -- Allows automatic clustering and virtualization

between multiple DataFRAME 420s. This provides not only extensive

system scalability, but data replication between DataFRAME 420's as

well. In the event an entire DataFRAME 420 goes down, an

organization's data is still available on the network with no downtime

involved.

* Automated Snapshot -- Includes manual snapshot capabilities to

instantaneously backup a volume of data at any size. This feature

also gives the IT administrator the ability to take snapshots

automatically at timed intervals.

* Data Protection -- Provides the ability to backup data to another

DataFRAME 420 that resides apart from the main system. The physical

separation could be between buildings, campuses, states or even

countries. This enables an organization to have true disaster

recovery protection in the event of a catastrophic event.

DataFRAME 420 features:

* Native iSCSI Connectivity

* 16, 250GB Hot Swap SATA Drives

* Standard with 4TB of Storage Per 3U Enclosure

* Expandable to as Many Enclosures as Needed

* Dual Gigabit Ethernet ISCSI/EBSD (10/100/1000)

* Optional 2GB Fibre Channel Network Interface

* Support for RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 and 50

* Easy-to-Use, Complete Management Software Solutions

* Hot Swappable, Redundant Power Supplies, Fans and Drives

DataFRAME 420 -- $19,999.00

4TB (16x250GB) SATA RAID Hard Drives

2GB Internal Cache

Dual 3.0GHz I/O Processors

Integrated SnapShot

Dual Port Gigabit Ethernet

Integrated iSCSI/EBSD Target Drivers

3 Network Operating System (NOS) Resolutions

3 Years Parts, Technical Support and On-Site Service

Standard Service & Support

The DataFRAME 420 includes 3 years of on-site service, replacement parts and technical support as part of the standard configuration. In addition, three Network Operating System (NOS) support resolutions are also included.

Optional Services

Two, Four or Eight Hour On-Site Service

Two, Four or Eight Hour On-Site Service provides for mission critical repair service at a customer's location. The necessary replacement parts will be couriered to meet the on-site technician within two, four or eight hours of being dispatched (depending on the customer's location). This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for eligible customers.

Hard Drive Protection Plan

This service allows customers to replace a failed hard drive while still protecting confidential data stored on the drive. MPC will ship a replacement hard drive, and the customer need only return an RMA form provided by MPC.

Deployment Services

MPC offers on-site installation, de-installation, data transfer, and system upgrade services. In addition, customized deployment solutions can be designed to fit a customer's specific needs.

Availability

The DataFRAME 420 is available to order directly from MPC at http://www.mpccorp.com/ or by calling (888) 224-4247.

About MPC Computers

MPC Computers, LLC, provides award-winning computer products and services to its target markets of mid-sized businesses, government agencies and education organizations. MPC's mission is to provide its customers with a superior level of service and support in addition to its high-quality PC products. MPC, headquartered in Nampa, Idaho, is held by Gores Technology Group, an international acquisition and management company. More information about the company can be found at http://www.mpccorp.com/.

About Gores Technology Group, LLC

Gores Technology Group, LLC is a private investment firm focused on the technology and telecommunications sectors. The firm combines the seasoned M & A team of a traditional financial buyer with the operational expertise and detailed due diligence capabilities of a strategic buyer. Gores has a long standing record of creating sustainable value in its portfolio companies by focusing on customers and employees, supporting management with operational expertise and providing capital required for growth. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Gores maintains offices in Boulder; New York; London; and Zurich. (http://www.gores.com/)

MPC Computers, LLC

CONTACT: Kelly Sasso of MPC Computers, +1-208-893-1052,ksasso@mpccorp.com

Web site: http://www.gores.com/

Web site: http://www.mpccorp.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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