Stratus Launches 64-Bit Red Hat Linux OS Support Across Server Lines for Telecom and Enterprise Applications

MAYNARD, Mass., June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Bringing five-nines fault-tolerant computing to more operating systems, more applications, and more levels of the IT infrastructure than ever before, Stratus Technologies, Inc. today announced the availability of 64-bit Red Hat(R) Linux(R) operating systems across six server models. The supported systems include a new family of servers for telecommunications, as well as the complete, continuously available enterprise Stratus(R) ftServer(R) line, which previously supported only Microsoft(R) Windows(R) operating systems.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060313/NEM014LOGO )

Based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 4, the 64-bit implementation capitalizes on Intel(R) Extended Memory 64 Technology (EM64T) to support both 32-bit and 64-bit applications while eliminating the memory addressing and maximum memory limitations of a 32-bit operating system. Applications are able to process more data faster and to address large in-memory databases and unlimited virtual address space for greater processing productivity.

"Adoption of Red Hat Enterprise Linux and thousands of certified applications throughout the IT infrastructure is inevitable and progressing quickly," said Nick Carr, Red Hat marketing director. "Having the option of a continuously available server platform with superior uptime reliability, such as Stratus offers, to support critical applications has tremendous value for IT management."

Demand for Linux servers is expected to lead the high-availability server market with a 37.7 percent compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2009, according to International Data Corporation (IDC), a global market intelligence and advisory firm. The high-availability server market overall and the Windows server segment are expected to grow 14.4 percent and 27.5 percent, respectively, during the same period.

The fault-tolerant technology that enables 99.999-plus percent availability on Intel-based ftServer lines resides in Stratus-designed chipsets and in the Stratus system software layered between the OS kernel and the application. Virtually any application for the Linux operating environment will run unchanged and unmodified on a supported Stratus fault-tolerant server.

Enterprise customers purchasing Stratus ftServer 2400, 4300, or 5700 (Dual Core) server models* can now choose the Red Hat Linux AS 4 64-bit operating system or Microsoft Windows Server(TM) 2003 for their business- and mission- critical applications. Either server operating system may be ordered with no price differential, or customers may install the OS under their own master license or subscription service agreements. All system configuration options are available now and are compliant with the European Union's Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directives.

*The ftServer 4600 system is being phased out of production, beginning September 2006.

Three New Telecom Servers

The 64-bit Linux implementation is also available to telecommunication service providers and enterprise telephony applications on three new servers. The Stratus T Series T40 CO, T40 AC, and T65 AC models are built on Stratus' third-generation Continuous Processing(R) architecture with features and functionality expressly for the telecommunications marketplace.

The Stratus T40 CO carrier-grade system is engineered to meet stringent NEBS(TM) Level 3-requirements for network elements in central office environments. This high-performance 2-way SMP system features 3.2 GHz Intel Xeon(R) processors in a 4U rack-optimized form factor that is engineered for central office and core network installations. It is the ideal platform for a broad range of telecom applications in mobile, landline, circuit, packet and converged networks. A non-NEBS model, the T40 AC, is also available for a range of solutions from next-generation services to enterprise telephony applications.

The more robust Stratus T65 AC system is the telecommunication industry's first fault-tolerant server for Linux to use Dual-Core Intel Xeon 2.8 GHz processor technology. By providing eight processing execution cores in a cost-effective, compact 4U package, the new two-way server delivers exceptional power and throughput to meet the demands of traditional and next-generation telecommunications solutions.

The new T Series servers seamlessly run Stratus' SINAP(R) SS7 and SIP signaling software, which supports the SS7 and IP protocols that service providers need to develop, run, manage and scale voice and data services in circuit and packet networks. The servers are also compliant with the European Union's RoHS directives and they will be available in the third quarter 2006.

About Stratus Technologies

Stratus Technologies is a global solutions provider focused exclusively on helping its customers achieve and sustain the availability of information systems that support their critical business processes. Based upon its 25 years of expertise in server and services technology for continuous availability, Stratus is a trusted solutions provider to customers in manufacturing, life sciences, telecommunications, financial services, public safety, transportation & logistics, and other industries. For more information, visit http://www.stratus.com.

Stratus, ftServer, Continuous Processing, and SINAP are registered trademarks of Stratus Technologies Bermuda Ltd. The Stratus Technologies logo is a trademark of Stratus Technologies Bermuda Ltd. The registered trademark Linux is used pursuant to a sublicense from the Linux Mark Institute, the exclusive licensee of Linus Torvalds, owner of the mark on a worldwide basis. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Contacts: Ed Marshall Ken Donoghue

Beaupre & Co. Public Relations Stratus Technologies

603-559-5816 978-461-7269

emarshall@beaupre.com ken.donoghue@stratus.com