REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 4, 1999 — Today, IBM Corp. and Unisys Corp. joined Compaq Computer Corp., Data General Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co. in committing to
99.9 percent availability for the Microsoft® Windows NT® Server network operating system version 4.0. These announcements broaden customer choice in the growing marketplace for
high-availability Windows NT Server-based systems.
Customers need a platform for hosting line-of-business applications that combines the integration and cost-effectiveness of Windows NT Server with data-center-grade reliability. As a result of two years of collaboration between Microsoft and key OEMs, Windows NT Server is now supported with high-availability services and business practices by some of the industry’s most prestigious system vendors.
“Customer adoption of Windows NT Server in data-center-type applications has grown dramatically over the last 12 months,”
said Mike Nash, director of Windows NT Server and infrastructure marketing at Microsoft.
“These 99.9 percent commitments will enable even more customers to take advantage of Windows NT Server and Windows NT Server Enterprise Edition for mission- and business-critical deployments.”
Today’s Announcements
Microsoft has invested in the reliability of Windows NT Server 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0 Enterprise Edition, most recently with the release of Service Pack 4.0. IBM and Unisys join the other OEMs that have committed to 99.9 percent availability on Windows NT Server by combining enterprise-ready hardware with related deployment and service offerings.
-
IBM today announced a new 99.9 Percent Availability Program for customers purchasing netfinity departmental, enterprise-class servers with Microsoft Windows NT clustering software for mission-critical applications. IBM’s Netfinity servers provide cluster management, system redundancy, chip-kill correction, real-time diagnostics and other mission-critical technologies borrowed from IBM’s midrange and mainframe server lines. IBM Global Services supports Netfinity customers in the 99.9 percent availability program with a suite of services, including remote-connect, remote system, software support, two-hour on-site response time and project management.
-
Unisys today announced its forthcoming uptime commitment to enterprises in the computer industry’s most demanding market sectors, including stock exchanges, airlines, telecommunications companies and banks. Leveraging its experience in maintaining 24×7 operations, Unisys will soon disclose details of its new program, the first guarantee of its kind to support single as well as clustered systems.
Summary of Previous Announcements
In addition to today’s announcements, Compaq, Data General and Hewlett-Packard have announced over the past several months their 99.9 percent availability offerings.
-
Data General in November was the first vendor to extend its OMNiiCARE
99.9 percent uptime guarantee beyond Windows NT Server to users of Microsoft SQL Server
™
7.0. The company offers highly available and innovative packaging, such as AviiON Cluster-in-a-Box and TermServer-in-a-Box, as well as the AV 8700, the first server designed specifically for Windows NT clustering. These system packages are supported by leading enterprise applications from Data General’s strategic software alliances and an extensive services portfolio that includes NTAlert
“call home”
support service. -
Compaq in December announced a suite of services for its family of ProLiant servers running the Windows NT Server operating system. The expanded service portfolio includes startup and installation, availability review, availability partnership, disaster recovery and various levels of service support, as well as two levels of uptime guarantees, 99.5 and 99.9 percent, for ProLiant clusters to meet the availability needs and budget requirements of commercial and business-critical users.
-
Hewlett-Packard Co. in September introduced the HP Mission Critical Server Suite for Windows NT, which included the first server vendor’s commitment to 99.9 percent uptime for Intel-based servers running Windows NT. Part of the HP Mission Critical Windows NT Program, the suite demonstrates the company’s vision of providing end-to-end availability solutions in Windows NT and Microsoft BackOffice® family-based environments. The program includes initiatives ranging from technology and infrastructure to specialized services, such as a worldwide 99.9 percent uptime commitment, a Mission Critical Solutions Center in California and high-availability consulting services, to meet customers’ stringent availability requirements.
Additional information on these high-availability services offered by system providers can be found on the Web at the following addresses:
Compaq Computer Corp.: http://www.digital.com/services/mcs/nt/has.htm
Data General Corp.: http://www.dg.com/services/html/omniicare_service.html
Hewlett-Packard Co.:http://www.hp.com/ssg/nt/article28.html
IBM: http://www.ibm.com/news/1999/02/04.phtml
Unisys: http://www.marketplace.unisys.com/ent/
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, Windows NT and BackOffice 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.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.
