Axis Jazzes Up Networked Storage - Axis Communications StorPoint HD/4Jaz - Product Announcement

It's difficult enough to transfer large graphics or application files between client machines and servers without causing a detrimental impact on network performance, but imagine trying to back up several client machines to a central networked server on a daily basis. Chances are, it just isn't going to happen. That is, until now. Axis Communications Inc. (Woburn, Mass.) has found a way to bring removable, networked storage capabilities to workgroups with Axis StorPoint HD for Jaz.

Based on Axis' Thin server technology, the StorPoint HD for Jaz is a tower that can house four Jaz drives from Iomega Corp. (Roy, Utah). What makes the Storpoint for Jaz special is that the unit can be directly attached to a network. Because the unit emulates a file server, users in Windows NT, Windows 95 and OS/2 environments can simultaneously write to and read from any Jaz drive in the network. "We believe that this new breed of network server will soon make obsolete much of the file server-based means of attaching storage to the network. It is the first time storage devices can be connected to a network without the hassle or expense of a traditional file server," says Les Yetton, Axis president.

When a workgroup needs additional storage capabilities, users can plug in additional Jaz cartridges or additional StorPoint HD units without incurring network downtime. "People are just chewing through storage with no end in sight we wanted to give them a scalable and easily understood solution," says Jeff Katter, Axis product manager of storage products.

Axis' ThinServer technology, which enables the StorPoint HD for Jaz to be hooked directly into a network, is a combination of slimmed-down versions of embedded operating systems (UNIX, NetWare, Windows NT, OS/2), optimized 32-bit hardware that integrates network controllers, a RISC CPU and device I/O all in one chip, and a Web-based management platform.

Axis chose Iomega as a partner for several key reasons: "Iomega has taught people that their products are easy to work with, and that storage is not the big nightmare that some manufacturers make it out to be," says Patrick Marshall, Axis marketing development manager for storage products. In addition to ease of use, an added benefit of using Iomega's Jaz drives is their portability: Administrators can easily distribute software and back up individual workstations without using a file server or creating unnecessary network traffic. In addition, scalability is limited only by the number of Jaz cartridges a company has on hand.

In addition to emulating a multiplatform workgroup storage server, the StorPoint HD for Jaz features a built-in Web server that enables users to access data on Jaz cartridges from any Web browser. The device is available in three models: the StorPoint HD, a standalone version for external Jaz drives; the StorPoint HD/T, a tower version that fits into a 5 1/4-inch tower bay; and the StorPont HD/4, which comes equipped with four Iomega Jaz drives.

Eventually, Axis hopes to expand the capabilities of its StorPoint system to include other storage devices along with Iomega's Jas." We'll be taking a very specific tool [the StorPoint HD for Jaz] and giving our customers a tool for any kind of mixed media. They'll be able to build custom towers of whatever devices they need," say Axis' Katter.

"Our users have the need to add additional storage to their network," says Fred deVore, principal service specialist for Honeywell Inc.'s Industrial Automation and Control division (Minneapolis). "The combination of Axis Thin-Server technology with the flexibility and speed of a Jaz drive allows my users to add storage directly to their network. I can now add Jaz drives anywhere without a security risk or bringing down the network, and most importantly, without slowing down the network."

COPYRIGHT 1997 101 Communications, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group