IBM to Start OS/2 Warp Server Beta Testing

AUSTIN, TX., August 14, 1995 . . . IBM today announced the start of public
beta testing for OS/2 Warp Server, IBM's business server for customers
ranging from small businesses to large enterprises. It provides an
integrated platform for the emerging application server environment as
well as a complete set of traditional file and print services. The
software will be distributed to beta testers in the last week of August.
It is expected to be generally available in the first quarter of 1996.

Following on the heels of OS/2 Warp Connect, IBM's network client operating
system, OS/2 Warp Server combines the market-proven quality of OS/2 Warp
and LAN Server 4.0 with a wealth of functional enhancements in system
management, backup, remote access and advanced print function. Services
such as file and print can be selectively installed, allowing users to
customize OS/2 Warp Server to meet their specific needs. The installation
procedure also includes autodetection of devices such as network interface
cards.

"OS/2 Warp Server will raise the bar on what customers and resellers should
expect from a server operating system," said Phil Powers, director of
marketing for LAN Systems, IBM Personal Software Products division. "We
believe that OS/2 Warp Server will provide an excellent application server
foundation as well as provide high performance file and print capability
in a single solution. The additional integrated features will also help
customers reduce the overall cost of managing their networks."

A Powerful Server...

OS/2 Warp Server inherits from LAN Server 4.0 a sophisticated set of
network capabilities, including an easy-to-use drag-and-drop
administration model which allows network administrators and resellers to
quickly install, set up, configure and manage a network. It offers tight
security that is flexible enough to be customized to the needs of any
business by assigning various privileges down to specific files on the
server. OS/2 Warp Server also uses a powerful high performance file system
and includes a NetWare migration utility that will allow an organization
to migrate NetWare 2.x and 3.x users and information onto an OS/2 Warp
Server environment using a graphical user interface.

on a Powerful Platform...

OS/2 Warp Server possesses the same 32-bit, pre-emptive multitasking
capabilities of IBM's powerful and battle-tested OS/2 Warp operating
system, and comes Internet-ready with IBM's popular Internet Access Kit
and WebExplorer. It offers reliable crash protection, runs OS/2 and DOS
applications and contains IBM's WIN-OS2 code, which provides support for
16- and 32-bit Windows applications.

for Businesses of All Sizes

With sophisticated, easy-to-use networking components on a powerful
operating system platform, OS/2 Warp Server will appeal to a diverse set
of market segments, from small and medium sized businesses to departmental
corporate workgroups to large businesses and institutions. Resellers and
VARs are also an important target audience for OS/2 Warp Server. Not only
do they stand to benefit from selling a complete business solution to such
a broad set of users, but their job is made easier with OS/2 Warp Server's
outstanding system management capabilities.

"We have had great success with IBM's OS/2 Warp and LAN Server 4.0 and we
are really looking forward to the opportunity to sell OS/2 Warp Server to
our customers," said Mike McKee, software manager, Intelligent
Electronics. "There are a lot of businesses out there who are anxious to
enter the fast-growing application server environment, and there are also
a lot of businesses who just want simple file and print function until
they are ready to expand. OS/2 Warp Server will be an excellent solution
for both."

Sophisticated Systems Management Made Easy

To address the challenges faced by today's network administrators, OS/2
Warp Server will contain systems management features which ensure a high
degree of performance and reliability. With OS/2 Warp Server,
administrators will be able to remotely manage computers across the
network, allowing them to quickly address network issues by monitoring or
even taking control of any computer on a LAN without leaving their desk.

OS/2 Warp Server provides a software and hardware discovery feature for
system administrators, giving network supervisors the ability to determine
the exact components of any PC on the network. System administrators will
be able to determine such components as software titles, version number of
programs, type of configuration, type and size of hard disk drive, amount
of system memory and network interface card. This will help administrators
identify software upgrades, detect system incompatibilities and determine
the need for hardware upgrade components. By having the ability to do all
of this without leaving their desks, administrators will be able to manage
their systems much more easily and efficiently, reducing the cost of LAN
management.

As a preventive measure, on-screen alerts built into OS/2 Warp Server will
warn administrators of predictive hardware failures such as low disk space
and exceeding the CPU threshold. This is an added benefit to resellers
because it helps them avoid potential customer satisfaction problems.

Carefree System Backup and Recovery

Reliable protection from data loss is vital for any business employing a
network. IBM has implemented a comprehensive backup and recovery system in
OS/2 Warp Server that eliminates the worry. Utilizing object-oriented
administration and an intuitive interface, OS/2 Warp Server offers an
easy-to-use, yet sophisticated, backup solution.

OS/2 Warp Server users will be able to schedule full or partial data
backups to a variety of media formats including diskette, tape and optical
drives. An advanced disaster recovery feature is included that will allow
a business to recover vital data, even in the event of a complete server
hard disk crash. Users will also have the unique ability to load tape
backups and restore information to the network without loading the core
operating system, allowing them to easily and painlessly recover data and
get their business up and running again very quickly.

This integrated backup facility is also compatible with IBM's Automated
Data Storage Management (ADSM), which allows users to backup data to
storage devices across a variety of platforms, including DEC,
Hewlett-Packard and Sun, as well as IBM's AIX, AS/400 and MVS
environments. This scalability across platforms protects investments and
creates an efficient heterogeneous operating environment.

Remote Access

Remote connectivity is a need for businesses of all sizes today, and OS/2
Warp Server features a full set of remote access capabilities. With OS/2
Warp Server, organizations ranging from small businesses with two sites
across town to multinational corporations can now quickly access vital
information via this integrated remote functionality.

With OS/2 Warp Server's remote node capability, users are able to log onto
the network, upload and download data and print documents to other
facilities. Offices will be able to quickly share information by linking
to their corporate network and other sites via a high speed modem line,
x.25 or ISDN. Mobile users can connect to the office as though they were
sitting at their desks.

In addition, OS/2 Warp Server's remote control feature reduces the cost of
support. A system administrator or reseller will actually be able to see
what the user sees, extending the ability to reach out and view,
troubleshoot and solve network issues from across town or from thousands
of miles away.

Advanced Print Functionality

Printing over the network is an important task for organizations of all
sizes. OS/2 Warp Server includes new printing enhancements that will solve
various needs for a variety of customers. With OS/2 Warp Server's
postscript printer emulation, users are able to send postscript documents
to non-postscript laser printers such as Hewlett-Packard and LexMark,
saving them hundreds of dollars.

OS/2 Warp Server also has advanced printer functionality that is compatible
with high speed host printers in a mainframe connected environment. This
compatibility will greatly assist organizations by protecting their
investments in high-capacity host printers. A corporate customer can
easily introduce OS/2 Warp Server into the network and configure this
advanced business network solution to drive 300-page-per-minute printers,
saving hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Broad Client Support

OS/2 Warp Server will support all prevalent network clients, including OS/2
Warp and OS/2 Warp Connect, DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows NT and Macintosh.
OS/2 Warp Server is also backward-compatible with previous IBM LAN Server
clients. This will allow OS/2 Warp Servers to be incrementally added to an
existing LAN Server network and will provide the customer with complete
compatibility between systems. OS/2 Warp Server also supports gateway
functionality to NetWare and Microsoft servers by allowing OS/2 Warp
Server clients to access non-OS/2 Warp Server resources.

Availability and Pricing

Users can enter the OS/2 Warp Server beta program by calling 1-800-393-8922
after August 28. The cost of the beta program is $15.95 for shipping and
handling. OS/2 Warp Server is expected to be generally available during
the first quarter of 1996. Pricing has yet to be determined. There will be
an upgrade program for LAN Server users.

IBM news releases are available on the Internet, via the IBM Home Page at
http://www.ibm.com. The IBM Fax Information Service allows you to receive
facsimiles of prior IBM product press releases. Dial 1-800-IBM-4FAX and
enter "99" at the voice menu.
 
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