Features - Storage Innovations:

Z-FORCE AND RACKABLE SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE HIGH DENSITY NAS

Z-force Inc, the inventor of the "file switch," and Rackable Systems Inc, a leading provider of rack mount high-density compute server and storage solutions, have announced the world's highest density and best value NAS solution -- with up to 72 terabytes (TB) of NAS storage, two Z-Force file switches and gigabit Ethernet networking infrastructure in a single 44U cabinet. In addition, Z-force announced it has named Rackable Systems as a "Platinum Reseller Partner." As a Platinum Reseller Partner, Rackable will bring similar high density, low-cost and scalable NAS solutions to its extensive customer base in the high-performance computing markets.

"Z-force and Rackable together illustrate how the powerful capabilities of NAS aggregation can be delivered in a very dense rack and at a very low cost," said Duke Lambert, vice president of sales, Z-force Inc. "With Rackable's growing leadership position in high-performance computing and their innovative approach to rack-mounted solutions, they are an ideal reseller partner for Z-force."

"Rackable and Z-force solutions are a powerful combination," said Tom Barton, president and CEO, Rackable Systems Inc. "This demonstration proves that it's finally possible to deliver SAN-like capacity and scalability with all the benefits of a file-based system to customers in the high-performance computing arena."

At NAB2003, Z-force and Rackable will demonstrate a highly scalable NAS system using industry-standard components and Z-force file switches in a Rackable Systems cabinet. The technology demonstration proves that by implementing a NAS Array within Rackable Systems' patent-pending high-density racking technology, data centers can now enjoy the high capacity and performance of "big box" NAS and SAN solutions, at the lowest cost per megabyte and in the smallest amount of space. This capability is critical in environments where real estate is at a premium. Companies frequently co-locate their data centers and pay per square foot of occupied data center space. As a result, they need very high capacity, scalable and dense storage solutions.

In addition, because the Z-force file switch enables the creation of NAS Arrays, using industry-standard, off-the-shelf building blocks, data centers now have a solution available that brings them the economic advantages of commodity computing. As a result, the cost-per-megabyte of a Z-force/Rackable solution can quickly drop below even tape-based solutions making digital storage an option for customers who, in the past, could only afford to use tape solutions for their high-performance storage needs.

Specifications of the Z-force/Rackable NAB2003 Demonstration

The Z-force/Rackable demonstration at NAB2003 was designed to prove the concept of a highly scalable NAS system and includes the following components:

• 2 Z-force file switches
• 6 NAS devices, each serving 2.4TB of capacity
• 8 Xeon processor compute servers to drive load
• 2 standard gigabit Ethernet switches
• Rackable 22U cabinet

This demonstration will show Windows and Linux-based access to a single 8TB file system through two Z-force file switches and growing the file system to 12TB with no downtime. Due to the high density of Rackable's technology, a single 44U cabinet can support a NAS system that scales up to 72TB including the NAS devices, two Z-force file switches and all the associated L2 switching fabric. This single-rack, single NAS file system is comparable in cost to tape-based solutions.

About Z-force's Reseller Program

As a Z-force "Platinum Reseller Partner," Rackable will offer its customers customized NAS solutions, by building NAS systems that meet their specific capacity, performance, space and cost requirements. Rackable is renown for its world-class mechanical design, with servers featuring a broad range of innovations that lead to better density, better thermal management and easier serviceability. The company's back-to-back chassis design allows it to fit twice as many CPUs into a given space as its competitors. Rackable has gained traction with such high-profile customers as Electronic Arts, Google, Inktomi, Sony America, Tellme, Webex, and Yahoo!, as well as many government and scientific computing customers.

Z-force's reseller strategy is to partner with the leading resellers in a variety of targeted vertical markets. Rackable Systems joins Rorke Data(1) as one of Z-force's first "Platinum Reseller Partners." Z-force's reseller program includes two certification levels:

• Platinum Reseller Partner: Resellers who build and market NAS Arrays, train staff and their channel, carry inventory and provide post sales support
• Reseller Partner: Resellers who help Z-force to identify sales opportunities and manage the sales process

Companies interested in joining the Z-force reseller program should inquire via email to: sales@z-force.com.