Cluster Computing:

PolyServe INTROS SOLUTION FOR ORACLE DATABASE CLUSTERS

PolyServe, Inc., a leading supplier of server and storage clustering software for the enterprise data center, announced the PolyServe Oracle High Availability (HA) Solution for Linux. This is the first complete offering for reliable, simply managed and cost-effective HA clusters of single-system Oracle 9i and 10g databases.

"PolyServe is a leader in the clustering of both Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC) and non-RAC applications," said William Hurley, senior analyst for the Enterprise Strategy Group. "This introduction underscores PolyServe's innovation leadership by applying cluster file system and HA services across a range of Oracle solutions -- a capability we haven't seen before in the market."

The PolyServe Oracle HA Solution ensures fault-tolerant Linux server and storage clusters that prevent costly downtime of mission-critical database applications -- a crucial requirement for data centers weighing the move from UNIX to Linux. The PolyServe offering is the only HA solution for Oracle on Linux that eliminates single points of failure and streamlines server and storage management of the Oracle environment.

Companies such as Citrix Online, a division of Citrix Systems, the Dutch Broadcasting Authority and Close Premium Finance have already successfully implemented the PolyServe Oracle HA Solution on Linux, while also:

• Reducing cluster and configuration management time by up to 75 percent
• Reducing back-up times and complexity by up to 80 percent
• Consolidating Oracle databases onto fewer servers for simplified administration
• Providing a seamless migration path to Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC) to add scalability
• Leveraging the economics of industry-standard Linux servers and storage in lieu of expensive, proprietary UNIX platforms

"Our research and experience clearly show Oracle users' primary interest in database clusters is for high availability, but current HA technologies increase complexity and risks of operator error that result in missed service level agreements and failed deployments," said Michael Callahan, chief technical officer of PolyServe. "PolyServe's solution, with an integrated cluster file system, uniquely removes the limitations of traditional clustering. We're not only delivering end-to-end fault tolerance across both servers and storage, but also greatly reduced administrative complexity."

IBM TO SELL POLYSERVE CLUSTERING SOFTWARE IN U.S.

PolyServe, Inc. also announced an agreement with IBM to help customers reduce costs, ease implementation and better manage critical applications in high- performance clustering environments.

Under terms of the agreement, IBM will sell PolyServe solutions, including PolyServe Matrix Server shared data clustering software for Linux and Microsoft Windows , through IBM's direct channel to IBM eServer BladeCenter and xSeries customers in the U.S. In a related, but separate arrangement, IBM and PolyServe will also provide technical support for mutual customers who purchase IBM Support Line Services.

The agreement is designed to help meet growing customer demand for clustering solutions for scalable network-attached storage (NAS), UNIX migration and server and storage consolidation projects in the enterprise. Customers already benefiting from combined IBM and PolyServe solutions include the Burlington Coat Factory; DuPont; LPL Financial; MLT Vacations Inc., a subsidiary of Northwest Airlines Corporation; Putnam Securities; Tractor Supply Corporation; and U.S. Department of Defense.

"When we purchased PolyServe Matrix Server software and IBM server hardware for our clustered database architecture, there wasn't an option for one-stop shopping to acquire both products directly from IBM," said Chris Corona, manager, system services, MLT Vacations Inc. "Having selected PolyServe and IBM products independently for their reliability and outstanding customer support, we look forward to one-stop solution shopping for our future needs. Knowing that PolyServe and IBM have also partnered on support, in addition to product distribution, only reinforces the value of the IBM- PolyServe alliance."

PolyServe Matrix Server software allows enterprise data centers to cluster and manage up to 16 xSeries or BladeCenter servers running Linux or Windows as one single, easy-to-use, highly available system attached to a storage area network (SAN). With its true symmetric cluster file system, Matrix Server allows all servers in a cluster to simultaneously read and write shared data on IBM TotalStorage DS4000 Series, DS6000 Series, DS8000 Series, Enterprise Storage Server solutions or other SANs.

"Customers often request a single source for complete clustering solutions," said Mike Stankey, president and CEO of PolyServe. "We're pleased they can now purchase PolyServe offerings directly from IBM along with IBM's market-leading xSeries and BladeCenter servers and TotalStorage solutions. It's a proven, powerful and cost-effective combination that supports a variety of customer usage scenarios and deployments."

IBM eServer xSeries servers, featuring Intel Xeon processors, provide outstanding availability and price/performance capabilities that help customers better manage and provision their IT environment. BladeCenter offers the high performance and manageability of IBM rack optimized platforms.

"We continue to build on a successful sales and support relationship with PolyServe to provide our mutual customers the products and support they need to achieve their business goals," said Rob Sauerwalt, IBM eServer global brand executive. "With the help of partners like PolyServe, we can provide superior cluster solutions that support mission-critical customer data center applications such as scalable NAS, scale-out database serving, scale-out Web serving and IT infrastructure consolidation."