SUSE Linux to Support Polyserve Understudy 1.3 High-availability Server

June 9, 2000


Powerful, affordable clustering technology offered on leading Linux distribution

Berkeley, CA

Today, PolyServe, the leading provider of software-based, distributed server clustering technology, and SUSE Linux, the international technology leader and solution provider in open source operating system (OS) software announced the availability of Understudy 1.3 server clustering software for high-availability and load balancing on SUSE Linux.

With the exponential growth of the Internet, companies need to scale rapidly to meet the increasing demands on their servers. High availability clustering solutions are important for connecting two or more computers together, allowing them to behave like a single computer. Clustering is a popular strategy for implementing parallel processing applications, as it enables companies to leverage the investment already made in PCs and workstations. In addition, it's relatively easy to add new CPUs simply by adding a new PC to the network.

"We've received an enormous number of requests to port our category defining clustering utility to SUSE Linux", said Vince Schiavo, President of PolyServe. "Having now done so, we're looking forward to working hand-in-hand with SUSE the leader in enterprise Linux solutions. We are excited about joining SUSE in their continued successful deployment of Linux for mission-critical web-based applications, from small businesses all the way up to enterprise accounts. Until now, this kind of clustering capability has been available only to very large enterprise or institutional customers with virtually unlimited IT budgets. With Understudy's breakthrough price-point of only $499 per server pair, any business can enjoy the benefits of high-availability and high-performance web services through failover and load balancing."

"PolyServe Understudy1.3 has delivered a key component which has been sorely needed for the effective deployment of Linux in mission critical web-based applications?, said Volker Wiegand, President of SUSE Linux, Inc., Oakland. ?By including Understudy 1.3, SUSE has established itself as the leading Linux platform for High Availability. The SUSE 6.4 High Availability tool kit already includes the ReiserFS, LVS and drbd."

Understudy 1.3 consists of the daemon "ClusterPulse", which is installed on each server in the cluster performing IP service monitoring failure detection and failover to an alternate host. Also included in Understudy 1.3 is "ClusterScope", a JAVA based application which enables the system administrator to configure and manage the cluster from any console.

Additional information and reseller contacts can be obtained by calling PolyServe toll-free at (877) 476-5973 or (510) 665-2970, or by emailing

info@polyserve.com


About PolyServe, Inc.:
Based in Berkeley, California, PolyServe is a developer of high performance, high-availability network server software products for Internet based applications and services. PolyServe's financial backing comes from The Roda Group, the venture development firm best known as the technology incubator behind Ask Jeeves (NASDAQ "ASKJ"). For more information PolyServe can be reached at (877) 476-5973, (510) 665-2970 or at www.polyserve.com.

About Novell
Novell, Inc. is a leading provider of information solutions that deliver secure identity management (Novell® Nsure™), Web application development (Novell exteNd™) and cross-platform networking services (Novell Nterprise™), all supported by strategic consulting and professional services (Novell NgageSM). Active in the open source community with its Ximian and SUSE Linux brands, Novell is firmly committed to open source and offers comprehensive Linux products and services for the enterprise, from the desktop to the server. Novell's vision of one Net - a world without information boundaries - helps customers realize the value of their information securely and economically. For more information, call Novell's Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4CRC (4272) or visit http://www.novell.com. Press should visit http://www.novell.com/pressroom.

Novell is a registered trademarks; Nsure, exteNd and Nteprise are trademarks; and Ngage is a service mark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. SUSE is a registered trademark of SUSE Linux AG. * All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.