Linux backup to dvd

EST's Backup/Recovery Utility —BRU — for Linux Supports Panasonic 4.7GB DVD-RAM Drive

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 17, 2000

Reliability Enhanced with DVD-RAM Built-In Error

Correction and BRU Data Verification

Enhanced Software Technologies, Inc.(EST) announced today that its Backup and Restore Utility, BRU(TM) 16.0, supports Panasonic's 4.7GB DVD-RAM drive in Linux(R) environments. BRU ships with CRU(TM) (Crash Recovery Utility), an automated crash recovery utility for Intel-based (x86) Linux systems. A complete solution, BRU scales from a single workstation to networked systems, including client/server topologies. When combined with the Panasonic (NYSE:MC) rewritable DVD drive, Linux users have an ultra-reliable means of protecting their data and an exceptionally low storage cost.

Designed for novices and experienced users, BRU features automated backup and an extensive list of options, as well as comprehensive data verification capabilities. With the easy-to-use scheduler, incremental or differential backups can be carried out during off-peak hours without human intervention. Should a system crash occur, CRU for Linux and the BRU-generated DVD-RAM discs can be used to eliminate the need for manually reloading the operating system and reconfiguring the device drivers before restoring the remaining system data. The process of restoring the system is completely automated.

While today's systems, especially Linux systems, seldom crash, the need to recover a single file or a series of files is a frequent occurrence; and this is one of the many areas where DVD-RAM technology has the advantage over tape. DVD-RAM is a random access technology that enables data restoration to begin in seconds; tape drives waste precious minutes winding the tape in one direction and then the other, searching for a file.

With a data life of more than 30 years and the ability to provide more than a 100,000 overwrites, the life cycle cost of DVD-RAM media is also lower than tape. A single 4.7GB rewritable disc can store 4,700 full-color pictures (640x480, 24 bit/pixel), 2 hours of compressed MPEG-2 theater-quality video, more than 7 hours of CD-quality audio or the equivalent of 8 four-drawer filing cabinets.

These features, combined with the high capacity and inherent reliability of DVD-RAM, make it the ideal solution for mission-critical applications such as Web hosting, proxy/caching services, and email -- which, according to IDC, are the most popular applications for Linux servers.

In a recent survey of 200 Linux users, IDC also reports that the majority of the participants estimated that their Linux servers offered at least four "9s" (99.99%) in availability.

"Reliability is the cornerstone of Linux," said Ted Cook, president of EST. "As stable as Linux is, its reliability can be interupted by non-operating system-related events, making the resumption of computing a key consideration. The combination of BRU's data-verified backups coupled with Panasonic's DVD-RAM drive forms a potent combination to assure getting back on-line to continue system availability."

With the Optical Storage Technology Association's (OSTA) recent announcement of the MultiRead2 standard, 2.6GB (single sided) DVD-RAM became even more attractive to Linux users. The standard ensures that rewritable DVD discs can be read by all MultiRead-compliant drives. In addition, users have a single storage device that will read all types of CD media (CD-Audio, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW) as well as DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-Video and DVD-RAM media.

"The overwhelming response we received when the Linux driver for our DVD-RAM drive was posted on the Linux open projects site last year made us aware of the growing demand for DVD-RAM-based Linux applications," said Jeff Saake, group general manager of Panasonic Industrial Company's Computer Technologies Group. "We're very pleased that EST, a highly respected software developer in the Linux community, has confirmed support for the Panasonic DVD-RAM drive. In addition to receiving numerous readers' choice awards, BRU was named Best of Show at LinuxWorld Expo earlier this year. We think Linux users will realize that our DVD-RAM drive is the ideal complement to their favorite backup/recovery software."

Pricing, Availability

BRU is available as an OEM product and an end-user product through select resellers worldwide or direct from EST. For complete information, visit www.estinc.com.

The Linux driver for Panasonic's DVD-RAM drive is available free of charge and can be downloaded from http://mpeg.openprojects.net/panasonic.html.

Panasonic Industrial Company's 4.7GB OEM DVD-RAM drive is available as an internal drive with a SCSI-2 interface (model LF-D291N) or with an ATAPI interface (model LF-D211N).

The Panasonic-branded internal drive, model LF-D201U, is available from Panasonic Document Imaging Company (PDIC) and has an MSRP of $549. Double-sided 9.4GB DVD-RAM media, 4.7GB single-sided media and 4.7GB bare disc media, which are marketed under the Panasonic brand name, are also available from several other leading manufacturers. The 4.7GB bare disc DVD-RAM media can be played back on the latest Panasonic DVD-ROM drives, as well as Panasonic's new DVD Player and DVD Recorder.

About EST

Enhanced Software Technologies, Inc., a privately held corporation based in Phoenix, Arizona, is a subsidiary of Atipa Linux Solutions. EST as the leading provider of Linux backup solutions, is fast becoming a major force in the backup software industry and is known for both product excellence and outstanding customer support. EST is the developer of BRU(TM) Backup & Restore Utility, the No. 1 award-winning backup solution for Linux systems. EST has been continuously developing BRU for the Unix market since 1985 and for Linux systems since 1994. Contact EST at PH: 800/998-8649 or 602/470-1115, FAX: 602/470-1116, E-mail: info@estinc.com, or on the Web at: http://www.estinc.com.

About Panasonic

Panasonic is the best known brand name of Osaka, Japan-based Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE:MC), one of the world's leading producers of electronic and electric products for consumer business and industrial use. Additional information on Panasonic and Matsushita Electric is available at www.panasonic.com. [pilcrow (paragraph sign)] For more information on the Panasonic DVD-RAM OEM drive and media, contact Panasonic Industrial Company, 1600 McCandless Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035; 408/945-5600, FAX 408/262-4214, E-mail berzind@panasonic.com. Or, visit the company's Web site at www.panasonic.com/oemdvd-ram. For more information on Panasonic-branded DVD-RAM drives and media, contact Panasonic Document Imaging Company, Two Panasonic Way 7D-9, Secaucus, NJ 07030 800/742-8086, www.panasonic.com/storage or E-mail marusicm@panasonic.com. In Canada, contact Panasonic Canada, Ambler Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L4W 2T3, Canada; 905/238-2254, FAX 905/238-2414, E-mail rkwong@panasonic.ca.

Note to Editors: Atipa Linux Solutions and Enhanced Software Technologies are not a part or in any way legally affiliated with Panasonic Industrial Company. Panasonic Industrial Company assumes no responsibility for the performance of or customer satisfaction with Atipa or EST products. All company and/or product names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers. Features, pricing, availability and specifications are subject to change without notice.