Raritan Computer Launches First Stackable Management Appliance for Simplified and Secure Anywhere Access and Control of Data Center Equipment [February 2, 2004]

SOMERSET, N.J., Feb 2, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Raritan Computer, Inc. today introduced Paragon(R) II -- the industry's first enterprise-class, stackable KVM (keyboard/video/mouse) management appliance -- designed to help IT managers and systems administrators reduce the complexity and costs of managing servers and other data center equipment.

Paragon II provides new point-and-click administration capabilities and seamless connectivity to servers from inside and outside the data center, so that simultaneous users can securely access, monitor, configure, and reboot multi-platform servers as if they were actually present at the rack. Paragon II provides full keyboard and mouse control of servers through direct out-of- band KVM connections, as well as via the Internet. By supporting both types of connections, users can access servers from anywhere faster and easier in order to maximize operations uptime and save on IT costs, such as travel and staffing expenses.

The higher-port density of Paragon II, which supports up to 128 servers and devices per appliance, enables more than 50 percent additional servers/devices to be managed from a single unit -- reducing the number of KVM switches required in large data centers, where space is a premium. In addition, Paragon II reduces the amount of cabling. Its new stacking architecture simplifies KVM cabling between 'tiers' by replacing multiple pass-through cables with a single expansion cable -- saving up to 32 cables per switch. In addition to simplifying cabling and saving space in data center racks, these enhancements enable Raritan to offer Paragon II at the lowest cost per port of any enterprise-class, Cat5 KVM solution in the market today.

Raritan today also introduced Paragon Manager advanced management and administration software and a new user station with integrated IP access. Paragon Manager -- with its simple Windows-like interface and single sign-on -- provides a consolidated view, via a Web browser, of all connected devices, including servers and power management. It also enables IT managers to customize user profiles; add and remove target servers; access event log activities and audit trails; and streamline time-consuming, system-wide firmware upgrades. The new user station -- which connects each user console (keyboard, monitor and mouse) to the Paragon II appliance -- provides both local and IP access in a single, 1U rack-mountable appliance.

Paragon II is ideal for corporate data centers, server farms, Web-hosting facilities, Internet Service Providers, as well as hardware and software testing labs. For multiple data centers, Raritan's CommandCenter(TM) can be used to aggregate multiple Paragons -- as well as other Raritan products, such as the Dominion(TM) SX and KSX -- for one enterprise view and for managing up to 10,000 servers and devices -- including serial devices, environmental monitoring equipment, and legacy KVM.

Dell Inc. recently chose Paragon II to manage two data centers that are part of Dell's Enterprise System Test Lab -- the company's largest lab. Dell purchased more than 100 Paragon II switches with IP-Reach(TM) remote access capabilities to manage more than 1,500 servers and related network equipment.

"Raritan's Paragon II solution with remote access provides the performance, security and flexibility necessary to optimally manage our system test lab," said Gary Owens, Senior Manager - Enterprise System Test at Dell. "The capabilities provided by Raritan's solution enable us to effectively develop, test and manage new enterprise systems in our labs. We can, for example, collaborate with development teams no matter where they are located, by providing them secure Internet access to our lab equipment."

"Since its introduction three years ago, Raritan's Paragon Cat5-based analog solution has been a tremendous success in the market," said Richard DeFabritus, Product Manager at Raritan Computer. "Paragon's advancements in KVM switch technologies have helped thousands of companies dramatically simplify the management of business-critical data centers, as well as reduce management costs. Now with Paragon II we are offering better performance and return on investment than any out-of-band, enterprise KVM switch in the market."

About Paragon II

Paragon II, like its predecessor -- Paragon I, the industry's first, and most widely deployed KVM solution for enterprises -- is an intelligent, modular system that enables simultaneous users to have secure, out-of-band access and control of servers and devices -- even if the network or server operating system goes down. Paragon distributes switching and control functions across three plug-and-play components -- a stackable matrix switching unit, a user station, and computer interface modules (CIM), which connect servers' keyboard, monitor and mouse ports to the Paragon switching unit. All three components are connected using Category 5 UTP cable, enabling users to work up to 1,000 feet away from servers. For greater distances, Paragon II provides optional integrated Internet support -- based on its award-wining IP-Reach(TM) remote-access technologies. In addition, a back-up modem is built in for remote emergency access to the Paragon II switch and the servers attached to it.

Using Paragon's integrated power management, IT professionals can monitor the power status of any attached equipment -- as well as recycle the power and set security levels by user on a per outlet basis.

Pricing and Availability

Paragon II models -- housed in a new streamlined case -- are available worldwide starting today through Raritan's extensive reseller channel. Paragon II -- available in 32- and 64-port form factors -- is suitable for rack or shelf mounting (1U or 2U stackable form factor) and comes complete with power supply, basic cabling, Paragon Manager software, set-up instructions and a two-year warranty. It supports all server platforms and operating systems and stacks up to 128 ports per switch -- expanding up to 10,000 ports via stacking and cascading. New, smaller CIMs for PS/2, Sun, and USB devices are also available for Paragon II.

Retail pricing for Paragon II starts at $3,000.

About Raritan

Raritan Computer, Inc., founded in 1985, is a leading provider of KVM (keyboard/video/mouse) and remote management solutions for access and control of servers and other network devices. With 18 consecutive years of profitable growth and technical innovation, Raritan makes products that are used to control millions of servers at more than 50,000 network data centers, computer test labs, and multi-workstation environments around the world. From the small business to the enterprise, Raritan's complete line of compatible and scalable KVM and remote connectivity products offers IT professionals the most reliable, flexible, and secure out-of-band solutions to manage data center equipment, while improving operational productivity. More information on the company is available at www.raritan.com.

Paragon is a registered trademark and IP-Reach and CommandCenter are trademarks of Raritan Computer, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Raritan Computer, Inc.

Susana Thompson, +1-978-526-1601 x 2, or
sthompson@theHarborGroup.com, for Raritan Computer