[64] in comp.os.os2.announce archive
OS/2 NEWS: OS/2 Warp Server enters beta
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (tsipple@vnet.IBM.COM)
Fri Aug 18 04:07:28 1995
To: os2ann.DISCUSS@bloom-picayune.MIT.EDU
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 1995 04:01:32 GMT
From: tsipple@vnet.IBM.COM
Reply-To: tsipple@vnet.IBM.COM
Submitted by: Timothy F. Sipples (tsipple@vnet.ibm.com)
Source: Timothy F. Sipples (tsipple@vnet.ibm.com)
Date received: 1995 August 17
Date posted: 1995 August 17
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PSP Press Release: IBM ANNOUNCES START OF PUBLIC BETA TEST FOR
OS/2 WARP SERVER
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.
* Indicates trademark or registered trademark of the IBM Corp.
** Indicates trademark of Microsoft Corp.
All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
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.
