• Scalable framework for deploying clusters of network servers
• Innovative design improves network availability, performance and security
• Improves network reliability in businesses with mission-critical applications

HANNOVER, Germany (4-March-1997) - ZNYX Corporation, a leading provider of Fast Ethernet server-enhancement solutions, today announced the industry’s first initiative for simultaneously improving network reliability and performance. ZNYX’s Redundant Array of Independent Netports (RAIN) is a framework for establishing network clusters. ZNYX’s RAINswitch line of server switches will be the first product line to implement RAIN.

As a multi-level initiative, RAIN specifies technologies that can be added to network servers with Fast Ethernet network connections. Customers can leverage their existing network investments in Fast Ethernet to incrementally add performance, redundancy and security to their data networks.

"Just as RAID pioneered improved levels of data availability for mass storage, ZNYX’s RAIN initiative offers unsurpassed levels of high network availability and performance for local area networks," said Connie Austin, ZNYX’s President and CEO. "Customers with mission-critical applications can build high-availability server clusters with up to 1 Gbps of throughput while leveraging their investment in Ethernet and Fast Ethernet."

The RAIN initiative will be released over the next 24 months. This technology features five distinct performance levels.

• Switching moves data onto dedicated network segments—even with different speeds and protocols.
• Parallel channels are ideal for building server clusters with multiple, concurrent Fast Ethernet links. These redundant links can provide scalable bandwidth and fault tolerance.
• Security for server communications includes data encryption and node authentication.
• Error checking and correction (ECC) protects data integrity.
• Guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS) will enable next-generation, multimedia communications with true isochronous voice, video and data transmissions.

As a technology initiative, RAIN can be supported on a wide range of networking equipment. RAIN will initially be supported only on the ZNYX’s RAINswitch products. ZNYX, or its technology partners, will deploy this technology for servers with built-in Fast Ethernet and third-party network adapters.

Products with RAIN Level 1 (server switching) technology include the ZNYX RAINswitch ZX346ARS and ZX348ARS. (See separate press release, ZNYX Optimizes Fast Ethernet Switching for High-Performance Servers, dated 4-March-1997.) These products are now available through ZNYX’s worldwide reseller and OEM partners. ZNYX will feature these products at CeBIT ’97 in the USA Software Pavilion, Booth A12.

"ZNYX’s implementation of RAIN is the culmination of over four years of extensive research and development in the PCI, Fast Ethernet and server technologies, said Alan Deikman, ZNYX’s Chief Technical Officer. "As each RAIN level is released, customers can graduate from a basic server switch to parallel channels—or other advanced technologies—with a simple CD-ROM software upgrade. ZNYX’s message-based, multi-processor technology engine is capable of supporting a wide range of communication technologies."

ZNYX Corporation, a privately held company located in Fremont, California, is a leading provider of Fast Ethernet server-enhancement solutions. As a PCI technology pioneer, ZNYX was the first company to ship single and multi-channel PCI Ethernet and Fast Ethernet adapters. Information about ZNYX’s products is available at http://www.znyx.com.