IBM Rounds Out PC Server Family

IBM Gives Customers New Choices of Models and Architectures

SOMERS, N.Y., October 10, 1995...Delivering on its pledge to provide
customers with a wider selection of server sizes and architectures, IBM
today announced new models of entry- and mid-size PC Servers: the PC
Server 310 line and PC Server 520 line plus new models in the PC Server
320 line.

IBM also announced new releases of NetFinity, its premier software package
for managing systems and assets, and ServerGuide, the CD-ROM package that
makes it easier to install network operating systems. The IBM PC Server
business unit now offers combinations of bus architectures (PCI/EISA,
PCI/Micro Channel, PCI/ISA) across product lines so that customers can
migrate more easily from their current applications to those based on the
newest standard. Each PC Server supports multiple operating systems
including IBM's OS/2 for SMP, Novell NetWare, SCO UNIX and Microsoft
Windows NT. To reduce cost of ownership, IBM is bundling NetFinity, a
member of the IBM SystemView family, with each of its newly announced PC
Servers at no extra charge.

Announcement Highlights:

o  PC Server 310, two models, mini-tower (PCI/ISA, PCI/Micro Channel)
o  PC Server 320, two models, SMP capable, 1.08GB hard disk (PCI/EISA)
o  PC Server 520, 9 models, SMP server (PCI/EISA, PCI/Micro Channel)
o  IBM High Bandwidth PC Server 520 (Server solution/Micro Channel)

"Today, IBM PC Servers is fulfilling its commitment to customers to provide
a full range of technology choices they need to succeed at their
businesses," said Angelica Horaitis, director of worldwide marketing, IBM
PC Servers. "From the low-end to the high-end of our PC Server lines, we
are offering a choice of PCI architectures. As PCI fast becomes the
industry standard, IBM is dedicated to offering PCI in all of our new PC
servers," said Ms. Horaitis. "Toward that end, we have strengthened the
mid-range with the new PC Server 520 line, offering both PCI/EISA and
PCI/Micro Channel bus architectures. And, with the small business customer
in mind, we are offering the PC Server 310 line -- small, departmental
mini-tower servers with LAN adapters, which support both PCI/ISA and
PCI/Micro Channel bus architectures. Furthermore, we have enhanced the PC
Server 320 line with new economical models equipped with 75 MHz processors
for excellent price/performance and a PCI/EISA bus architecture."

High Bandwidth Server Solution

IBM also announced a new high bandwidth server solution designed to reduce
network bottlenecks and improve LAN performance. Known as the IBM Ethernet
Quad PeerMaster Server Adapter card, this leading-edge technology solution
is integrated into one model of the PC Server 520.

Designed to reduce traffic congestion on the LAN, the four-port Ethernet
Adapter card is equipped with built-in switching capabilities across the
server bus, relieving the server of handling client-to-client network
traffic and eliminating any overload on the CPU. This enables improved
network throughput and increased network responsiveness, and it reduces
maintenance costs and preserves the customer's existing capital
investment. The Ethernet Quad PeerMaster Adapters are provided with
software drivers which support NetFinity, offering customers an advanced
Ethernet subsystem manager that gives very complete monitoring tools right
down to the client.

Seeking to broaden its PC Server Solutions for high-availability offerings,
IBM intends to provide redundant power capability for the PC Server 500
and PC Server 700 lines next year. This feature will ensure that if a
power supply component fails, the supply will automatically switch to its
"redundant" components without disruption of service to PC Server
clients.

NetFinity, ServerGuide Support Additional Operating Systems

Continuing to enhance its software offerings, IBM PC Servers also
introduced NetFinity V3.05, a new release of the PC Server system
management software, and ServerGuide V2.4, a collection of CD-ROM disks
designed to simplify installation of network operating systems and provide
customers with an online information database.

NetFinity 3.05 will support the Microsoft Windows 95 operating system, in
addition to its current support of OS/2 and NetWare. NetFinity, which has
been called one of the best system managers in the industry, provides
asset and capacity management, system and performance monitoring, and
problem notification for networked PCs. It also provides multi-platform
support for servers, desktop and mobile systems across product lines from
IBM and those of competing manufacturers.

NetFinity supports industry standards, including the Desktop Management
Task Force's Desktop Management Interface (DMI) and the Simple Network
Management Protocol (SNMP). NetFinity 3.05 is shipped on ServerGuide with
all new IBM PC Servers and comes pre-loaded on IBM PC 300 and IBM PC 700
desktop systems. NetFinity also is sold separately as shrink-wrapped
software through IBM resellers.

ServerGuide 2.4, which enables installation of software and facilitates
loading of device drivers, will now support new operating systems and PC
Server models. Those operating systems are IBM OS/2 2.11 for SMP, Novell
NetWare 4 .1 SMP, SCO UNIX Open Server Enterprise V3.0 and SCO MPX.
ServerGuide 2.4 also will support the IBM PC Server 520 and 310, in
addition to its current support of the IBM PC Server 320 products, as well
as the IBM PC Server 500 and PC Server 700 product lines. ServerGuide
currently simplifies installation and tuning of OS/2 2.11 for SMP, OS/2
Warp V3.0, LAN Server Entry and Advanced 4.0, NetWare 3.12 and NetWare
4.0. ServerGuide also ships with most IBM PC Servers at no extra cost.

Product Availability and Pricing

The IBM PC Server 310 models will be available this month with prices
starting at $3,259. The new IBM PC Server 320 models will be available
this month with prices starting at $4,249. The IBM PC Server 520 models
will be available in November with prices starting at $7,699. Dealer
prices may vary. NetFinity 3.05 and ServerGuide 2.4 will be available in
November. IBM PC Servers can be purchased through IBM PC Direct
(1-800-IBM-2YOU), remarketers and channels. Financing also is available
through IBM Credit Corp.

Service and Support

Each IBM PC Server offering comes with a three-year warranty. IBM also
offers its customers telephone support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
IBM provides PC Server Start Up Support, a 90-day technical support
program offered at no additional cost, for installing and setting up
server components and software configurations from a single point of
contact. Other usage and service assistance is offered through IBM
HelpWare.

Strengthening its connection with remarketers and customers, IBM also
offers TechConnect, an innovative technical training, certification and
information exchange program for its PC Server line. The program is
designed to give qualified IBM remarketers and corporate customers a vital
link to the technical resources and expertise of IBM.

IBM PC Server product information can be accessed via the IBM home page on
the Internet at http://www.ibm.com. IBM PC Servers home page can be
accessed directly at http://www.pc.ibm.com/servers, and compatibility
information for IBM PC Servers is now available at
http://www.pc.ibm.com/compat.html.

Rounding out IBM's PC Server products are NetFinity, IBM's PC systems and
asset management software, and ServerGuide, an easy-to-use CD-ROM tool
that simplifies installation of network operating systems. IBM also offers
industry-leading training and support programs for customers, dealers and
resellers. The PC Server business unit is chartered to lead the PC Server
market with a complete family of PC Server systems and solutions
supporting all major operating system software.

The PC Server business is headquartered in Somers, N.Y. with development
facilities in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

EDITOR'S NOTE: 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. Simply dial 1-800-IBM-4FAX and enter "99" at
the voice menu.
 
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