December 1, 1998

Transarc announces AFS for popular Linux operating system; New platform support accompanies new version of AFS

Pittsburgh, PA, December 1, 1998 - Today, IBM's Transarc subsidiary unveiled its first Enterprise File Systems products for Linux. AFS Server and AS Client are now available for users to add Linux into their enterprise environments, enabling interoperability between and amongst servers and clients for Linux; Microsoft Windows 95, 98 and NT; and other Unix operating systems. IBM's Transarc is also announcing a new version of AFS, AFS3.5, which provides complete support for Windows NT as well as enhanced performance, caching and scalability for global information sharing.

IBM's Enterprise File Systems, which include AFS* and DFS**, allow companies to share, find and manage files of information, such as Web pages, engineering designs, application software binaries and word processing documents. IBM's Enterprise File Systems have been an integral component of some of the world's most highly visited Web sites, including the 1998 Nagano Olympic Web site, 1998 Superbowl Web site and the 1998 Wimbledon tennis tournament Web site.

AFS Server 3.5 and AFS Client 3.5 on the Linux operating system provide a cost-effective, reliable and scalable file sharing option for UNIX users. AFS3.5 includes performance enhancements in the file server and the backup system, as well as scalability enhancements such as the ability to operate AFS clients and servers with multiple network interfaces. In addition, they contain enhanced caching functionality which speeds up file look ups, improving performance and reducing bottlenecks.

"Many of our customers have been asking for an AFS product on Linux. AFS is an extremely elegant and useful file sharing and file management system that fits in very well with the Linux philosophy," said Chris Maher, vice president, Enterprise File Systems, Transarc Corporation. "This AFS release is also exciting because we have achieved as much as five times the data throughout our file servers. We have also extended our Windows platform coverage and added powerful administrative tools."

"AFS allows CERN and collaborating High Energy Physics institutes world-wide to share analysis software and research data samples regardless of location or operating system," says Rainer Toebbicke, section leader for Distributed File Services at the European Laboratory for Partciple Physics, CERN. "AFS is considered a vital part of our computing infrastructure. Its availability for Linux will enable us to seamlessly integrate Linux into our heterogeneous environment."

Enterprise File Systems enhance users' ability to integrate Windows NT-based servers and clients with UNIX servers and clients in a secure, easy-access way to create global shared information systems amongst geographically dispersed computer users. In today's global collaborative computing environment, Enterprise File Systems create a productive work space in which users can share information and applications across heterogeneous platforms and multiple locations.

Pricing and Availability

AFS Server for Linux and AFS Client for Linux will be available in February 1999 directly from the IBM Software sales organization. Pricing for AFS Server for Linux begins at $1,995. Access to the AFS Client for Linux begins at $99 per user with volume discounts available. For Web-enabled environments, pricing for unlimited users is $6,495.

The new version of AFS, version 3.5, will be available on Red Hat Linux, AIX, Solaris, HP-UX, IRIX, Digital UNIX, Windows NTand gateway support for Windows 95 and Windows 98.

IBM and Transarc's Enterprise File Systems

IBM's Enterprise File Systems are developed and marketed by IBM and Transarc. Transarc is a recognized leader in file systems technology as the original developer of AFS and DFS. With IBM's Enterprise File Systems offerings, users are able to take collections of dissimilar server and client machines and join them into a global, shared information system. AFS and DFS provide networks with high availability of infomation, robust performance, and powerful security technology. Transarc is committed to continuing its leadership in the development of large scale file systems infrastructure and powerful desktop clients in order to give users easier and faster access to information within the distributed global enterprise.

About IBM Software

IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM Software offers the widest range of applications, middleware and operating systems for all types of computing platforms, allowing customers to take full advantage of the new era of e-business. The fastest way to get more information about IBM software is through the IBM Software home page at http://www.software.ibm.com/.

*Indicates a trademark or registered trademark of Transarc Corporation **DFS is a registered trademark of Transarc Corporation

All other products and services are the properties of the companies mentioned.