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[NPL] MicroNet FireWire SAN

MicroNet Announces SANCUBE
The Industry’s First FireWire SAN

A High Performance, High Capacity, Low Cost Storage Solution under $1500
for Creative Workgroups

Macworld Expo – San Francisco, Calif. – January 5, 2000 – MicroNet
Technology, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ampex Corporation (Amex:AXC)
and an innovator in storage technology, today announced SANCUBE(tm), the
industry’s first FireWire(tm) SAN storage solution. The SANCUBE server-less
storage network delivers extremely fast connectivity, up to 220GB online,
at a price far below traditional 100baseT networks with server-based
storage.

SANCUBE is engineered for Mac-based digital content creators who work with
and transfer large mission critical graphics files on Power Mac G4, Power
Mac G3, and iMac DV systems with built-in FireWire. Providing
faster-than-typical network performance, SANCUBE enhances workgroup
productivity by delivering 30MB/sec. data throughput – a transfer rate up
to ten times faster than typical Macintosh-based 100baseT networks.

SANCUBE consists of a compact, centralized “data cube” incorporating up to
6 high performance IBM hard drives yielding a capacity up to 220GB of
online storage. Stylishly designed with simplicity in mind, SANCUBE
measures approximately 10 x 10 x 10 inches, weighs less than 15 pounds, and
visually complements the design of Apple’s new Power Mac G4, Power Mac G3
and iMac DV systems. Users simply plug SANCUBE into their Mac systems with
built-in FireWire, and install the SANCUBE software. With no PCI cards to
install, set-up takes just a few minutes, and since SANCUBE is stackable
and hot-pluggable, the system expands and reconfigures easily as workgroup
storage requirements increase. Older Macintosh systems may be supported
with third party FireWire cards.

SANCUBE also consists of a customized version of the industry-leading ATTO
Accelware SAN volume management software which eliminates network bandwidth
bottlenecks by allowing one to four users to access large data and graphic
files. By centralizing data, providing share level data access, and
eliminating data copying time, SANCUBE significantly increases productivity
in any collaborative environment and eliminates the cost and complexity of
adding external drives and cards. Users can configure SANCUBE as a single
volume by striping the data (RAID 0) across the drives for enhanced
performance and capacity, or duplicate or mirror the data (RAID 1) at high
speeds for increased data protection.

A Storage Area Network (SAN) solution interconnects server and storage
devices at gigabit speeds, externalizing storage from the servers to give
users fast, reliable, secure access to data without taxing the LAN. In
addition to easing administration, a SAN offers a high performance, shared
storage infrastructure for data sharing which protects against data loss
and provides more efficient back up, archiving and retrieval, and data
migration.

“We’ve combined the benefits of a SAN-externalized storage, high
performance, reliability, capacity, scalability, configuration flexibility,
and the most efficient use of storage resources- with the incredible power
and potential of FireWire. It’s an amazing price/performance value,” Bob
Faulkner, general manager of MicroNet Technology. “Now creative workgroups
have a low-cost storage option that matches the speed and performance of
their cutting-edge Apple computers.”

Targeted at Mac-based prepress, desktop video, and multimedia markets,
SANCUBE will speed workflow in collaborative workgroups where large digital
files are manipulated by several individuals throughout the creative
process. For example, in creative groups that integrate scanning, retouch
and output stations, or for digital video applications such as those
created with Apple’s Final Cut Pro.

“Apple’s Power Mac G3, Power Mac G4 and iMac DV are the perfect computers
for the desktop video revolution,” said Clent Richardson, Apple’s vice
president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “MicroNet’s SANCUBE gives users
the amount of storage they need to create and distribute their digital
video products.”

SANCUBE will ship in March 2000 at an SRP starting at $1499 for the 70GB
single-user system, $2149 for the 100GB two-user, $2699 for the 150GB
two-user and $3899 for the 220GB four-user version. SANCUBE will be sold
through MicroNet VARs, Macintosh focused Internet resellers, mail order
resellers, and on the Web through MicroNet Direct@sancube.com.

Based in Irvine, California, MicroNet Technology, Inc. develops a full
range of data storage solutions for creative professionals and IS managers
with enterprise-wide networks. MicroNet’s extensive line of storage
solutions include Genesis RAID systems, FibreFlex workgroup solutions, the
DataDock(tm) family of transportable data storage systems, award-winning
disk arrays, hard disk drives, CD recording systems, DLT, AIT and DAT
back-up systems. MicroNet products are available through Ingram Micro Inc.,
resellers, VARs and distributors worldwide. For product and reseller
information, contact MicroNet Technology, Inc. at tel: (949) 453-6100, fax:
(949) 453-6101, or visit MicroNet on the World Wide Web at www.micronet.com

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