Unified Line of Intel- and Alpha-based Systems for Windows NT Offers Scalability and Price/Performance Unmatched in the Industry
February 10, 1998 - Digital Equipment Corporation today announced new server systems, software and services to provide customers with the best solutions for deploying Windows NT across the enterprise. DIGITAL's new unified line of Intel- and Alpha-based servers for Windows NT delivers the industry's widest-range of price/performance solutions, and together with new management tools, clustering solutions and services, extends DIGITAL's leadership in Windows NT computing.
In a move to reinforce its commitment to leadership in Windows NT price/performance, the prices of DIGITAL's three new Alpha-based Windows NT servers have been reduced by an average of 54 per cent over previous similar offerings, giving customers the ability to cost-effectively deploy the world's most powerful Windows NT platforms.
DIGITAL's new line includes five new Intel-based servers, ranging from sub-$NZ4,000 entry-level systems to super-enterprise-class eight-way Pentium Pro servers. These Intel-based servers are complemented by DIGITAL's new Windows NT-only Alpha-based servers which extend the DIGITAL Server line with scalability and performance unmatched by other vendors. Among the new systems being announced are four new rackmount servers designed specifically for industry-standard 19-inch racks.
Utilising Microsoft's LoadSim benchmark test, DIGITAL's unified Windows NT server line offers an array of scalability and performance for Microsoft Exchange ranging from 1,800 users on an entry-level Intel-based server up to 11,500 users on an Alpha-based enterprise solution.
Customers can implement fewer DIGITAL Intel or Alpha-based enterprise-class systems while delivering the same functionality as multiple smaller servers. Consolidating servers in a centralised manageable environment lowers the total cost of ownership for targeted applications.
"Bringing together our Windows NT-based Intel- and Alpha-based servers gives customers the best of both worlds," said Stephen Bacon, product manager for servers. "Our current 32-bit Intel solutions, ranging from entry-level to enterprise systems, address most customers' general business requirements. For more demanding, mission-critical applications, as well as the industry's broadest support for Windows NT 5.0 when it becomes available, DIGITAL's 64-bit Alpha-based Windows NT Servers are the only solution," he said.
New Product Name for New Systems
DIGITAL's new single server product line for the Windows NT market combines its Intel- and Alpha-based systems under the common name "DIGITAL Server." The new server family leverages DIGITAL's brand identity and heritage of delivering customers best-in-class solutions for Windows NT. DIGITAL continues to offer and enhance its entire line of AlphaServer systems for DIGITAL UNIX, OpenVMS and Windows NT to customers requiring multiple operating system platforms.
DIGITAL Servers based on the powerful 64-bit Alpha processor, including the DIGITAL Server 3300, 5300 and 7300 families, will now have options, middleware (system management, operating system installation and solution planning), packaging, terms and conditions and channels consistent with the Intel-based PC server market.
DIGITAL's entire family of Intel-based servers is optimised for Windows NT, and is also certified for the industry's leading Intel server operating systems, including Novell NetWare, SCO Unix and others.
Value-added Software and Services
DIGITAL's expansive line of server systems combined with leading software manageability solutions and the industry's largest number of certified Windows NT engineers enables the company to provide customers with enterprise-ready Windows NT solutions.
A new version of DIGITAL's network and server management solution, DIGITAL ServerWORKS 3.2, includes support for non-DIGITAL servers, enabling ServerWORKS to discover, identify and manage a heterogeneous environment. New Smart Agents provide improved network performance. ServerWORKS 3.2 also supports management of NTS/E Clustered Systems. DIGITAL is also announcing Solution Sizer 3.0, which enables software partners and resellers to accurately determine the appropriate server configuration for specific business applications. New Solution Sizer features include support for the all new Intel- and Alpha-based DIGITAL Server models, Microsoft Exchange 5.5 support, the ability to size Microsoft SQL Server with Great Plains Software Dynamics C/S+, as well as Microsoft Site Server Enterprise version 2.0/Commerce Server. DIGITAL Servers and software are supported worldwide by more than 23,000 DIGITAL service professionals, including more than 1,600 Windows NT certified field engineers -- the most at any company -- and over 5,000 support engineers trained on Microsoft products.
Availability
All Intel- and Alpha-based systems announced today can be ordered from 17 February. All DIGITAL Servers include DIGITAL ServerWORKS software, and are available through DIGITAL's channel partners.
Digital Equipment Corporation, recognised for product and service excellence, is a leading supplier of high-performance, Web-based computing solutions, which help enterprises compete in the global marketplace. DIGITAL gives its customers a winning Internet advantage through a comprehensive portfolio of Internet solutions based on award-winning systems, advanced networking infrastructure, innovative software, and industry applications - including those from its business partners. The expertise and experience of DIGITAL employees help customers plan, design, implement, manage and support Internet solutions in countries throughout the world.
