Microsoft and Digital Enhance Alliance by Optimizing Internet Information Server 3.0 Multimedia Solutions On Digital’s AlphaServer Systems

Microsoft NetShow, the Multimedia Component of IIS 3.0, Now Available on AlphaServer Systems

REDMOND, Wash. – Dec. 18, 1996 – Microsoft Corp. and Digital Equipment Corp. today continued to enhance their strategic Alliance for Enterprise Computing by announcing the immediate availability of Microsoft® Internet Information Server (IIS) version 3.0 with Microsoft NetShow multimedia technology on Digital’s AlphaServer RISC systems. IIS is integrated Web server software for the Windows NT® Server network operating system. IIS 3.0 with NetShow is now included with all AlphaServer systems running Windows NT Server. IIS 3.0 with NetShow and the AlphaServer systems together provide a robust, highly scalable solution for enterprise deployments of networked multimedia applications. NetShow enables users of Microsoft Windows NT Server to provide compelling audio and video content for multiple Internet and intranet applications while using network bandwidth efficiently. In addition, Microsoft and Digital have agreed to collaborate to optimize the performance and scalability of NetShow for the AlphaServer platform.

Microsoft NetShow is an open, standards-based software platform on Windows NT Server for delivering live and on-demand multimedia content over the Internet and corporate intranets. It enables multicasting of live audio and data and on-demand streaming of stored multimedia content including audio, video and
“illustrated audio”
(audio synchronized with images, URLs and scripts). IIS 3.0 with NetShow is available today at no charge (except for connect-time charges, if any) from http://www.microsoft.com/iis/ . Enterprise customers can deploy audio and video in online training and communications materials using the power of Digital’s AlphaServer systems.

“Digital and Microsoft continue to work together to improve the performance and robustness of NetShow running on AlphaServer systems,”
said David Cole, vice president, Internet client and collaboration group at Microsoft.
“Digital’s extensive networked multimedia experience makes it an exceptional ally in bringing multimedia to the corporate mainstream.”

“We expect our customers to be very excited about the NetShow, Windows NT Server and AlphaServer ensemble,”
said Pauline Nist, vice president of AlphaServer business at Digital.
“The performance and scalability of the AlphaServer and Windows NT platform make it ideal for new-media applications, which are expected to grow significantly in demand and usage.”

Windows NT Server and IIS provide a comprehensive Web platform that will propel the growth of multimedia delivery over the Internet and enterprise intranets, increasing the sales of media server systems. Microsoft also recently announced the first wave of third-party solutions and products supporting the NetShow technology.

Digital offers the industry’s most comprehensive support of the Windows NT software environment. The AlphaServer family of systems is the only complete line of high-performance Windows NT-based servers, ranging from the AlphaServer 8000 enterprise series at the high end, to departmental and network AlphaServer 4000, 2000 and 1000 series, to the workgroup 400 and 300 models. Windows NT-based AlphaServer systems offer industry-leading performance and price/performance, powered by a balanced choice of processor speed, extensive scalability through single and symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) configurations, high availability through industry-leading Windows NT-based clustered solutions, and thousands of the most popular applications.

Digital Equipment Corp. is a world leader in open client/server solutions from personal computing to integrated worldwide information systems. Digital’s scalable Alpha and Intel platforms, storage, networking, software and services, together with industry-focused solutions from business partners, help organizations compete and win in today’s global marketplace. See also (http://www.digital.com/info/alphaserver/) or phone (800) DIGITAL.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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