Re: NT server, pro/con

In article <wgbD68yKw.7rG@netcom.com> wgb@netcom.com (Bill Bosacker) wrote: > I believe that NT off the shelf, will only handle 2 processors. You need to > obtain licences from Microsoft for the additional processors. Also, a test with > 30 processors was reported by Info World which should that it was a fairly > linear scale. Every test I have seen shows that NT handles loads better than > any other system on the Intel platform. Windows NT Server supports up to *four* processors out of the box. Windows NT Server and Microsoft SQL Server 4.21a also delivers record breaking price/performance on RISC hardware. DIGITAL ANNOUNCES RECORD-BREAKING PERFORMANCE AND PRICE/PERFORMANCE; AlphaServers with Windows NT are the Fastest Servers Running Microsoft SQL Server January 24, 1995, Maynard, MA -- New AlphaServers and Microsoft SQL Server for the Microsoft Windows NT Server network operating system have set performance and price/performance records in independently audited tests defined by the Transaction Processing Performance Council (TPC). The results, announced today by Digital Equipment Corporation and Microsoft Corporation, are as follows: performance of 174.2 tpsB at $413/tpsB for a one processor AlphaServer 1000 4/200 and 308.8 tpsB at $423/tpsB for a two processor AlphaServer 2100 4/275. No other computer vendor has released TPC-B performance and price/performance figures for the Windows NT network operating system that compare to these. These results were achieved with the Windows NT Version 3.5 network operating system and Microsoft SQL Server relational database management system. "These results unquestionably show the powerful combination of Digital's AlphaServer systems and the Microsoft BackOffice family of products, which includes Microsoft SQL Server," said Jim Allchin, senior vice president of the Business Systems Division at Microsoft. "Digital's servers and Microsoft's software offer customers real business value through powerful and scalable solutions for mission-critical applications." Digital and Microsoft will continue to provide systems with leadership performance and price/performance, according to Pauline Nist, vice president of Digital's Alpha Server Business Segment. "At $413/tpsB, the AlphaServer 1000 system provides customers with the best value of any system running Windows NT Server software. And in the future, Microsoft SQL Server customers can look forward to even greater performance with the AlphaServer 2100 -- the fastest Windows NT Server on the market -- through cost-effective upgrades." Digital's Servers for Windows NT are Most Cost-Effective Customers everywhere are moving to client/server solutions for new business-critical applications, and they're saying that one of the most important factors in choosing a solution is price/performance. Reuben H. Donnelley Corporation is the world's oldest publisher of Yellow Page phone books. The corporation is now pioneering the use of distributed voice processing for a new product -- the Interactive Yellow Pages -- where users can access all kinds of information from a computerized database using just a telephone and the Yellow Pages. "We're implementing a client/server environment, and the cost effectiveness will come from using standardized products that offer more performance at much lower costs. AlphaServer systems running Windows NT and Microsoft SQL Server software have greatly expanded what we can do," said systems and development manager Stephen Jamison. The Best Buy Company, Inc. is the nation's fastest growing retailer of consumer electronics. The company has just introduced interactive multimedia kiosks as a way for consumers to learn about products, from a complete run-down on features to prices. "We were looking for a processor that could take high-quality video and serve up to 12 kiosks simultaneously throughout our stores. We found that Digital's AlphaServer 2100 systems running Microsoft SQL Server give us great price/performance, and enable us to bring multimedia information to our customers cost effectively," said Steve Anderson, CIO and senior vice president of MIS at the Best Buy Company. Microsoft's BackOffice family of products includes Windows NT Server, Microsoft SQL Server, Systems Management Server, SNA Server, and Microsoft Mail. It is an integrated suite of client/server applications designed to work together, making it easier for companies to improve decision making and streamline business processes. Digital's AlphaServer 1000 4/200 is a low-cost, highly dependable, deskside server, featuring one 200 MHz processor. The AlphaServer 2100 4/275 is a more expandable model that can incorporate up to four 275 MHz processors, and features large memory and storage capacity. Both servers are available in high-capacity, space-saving rackmount configurations. Digital's AlphaServers offer balanced system performance through high-performance processors and high throughput I/O. They are also highly reliable, upgradeable through cost-effective in-cabinet processor upgrades, and use standard components and peripherals. Microsoft and Digital Partnership Delivers Solutions Digital and Microsoft are working together to deliver mission-critical enterprise solutions to customers. This includes joint marketing programs and campaigns, customer support, consulting, and training. The partnership provides experience implementing, integrating, and supporting business solutions for customers. Digital is a worldwide Microsoft Authorized Support Center, with locations throughout the world. Digital is also Microsoft's largest training partner in the world. The TPC-B benchmark was designed as an appropriate yardstick for servers in a database environment. The TPC-B benchmark is a back-end database test that exercises the database components necessary to support update-intensive database services. This environment is characterized by significant disk input/output, moderate system and application execution time, and transaction integrity. Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT"), is the world leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. Digital Equipment Corporation is the world's leader in open client/server solutions from personal computing to integrated worldwide information systems. Digital's scalable Alpha platforms, storage, networking, software and services, together with industry-focused solutions from business partners, help organizations compete and win in today's global marketplace. #### Note to Editors: TPC and TPC-B are trademarks of the Transaction Processing Performance Council. Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows NT is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Alpha, AlphaServer, and Digital are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation. -- Olav Tollefsen Digital Equipment Corporation, Norway 275 MHz Alpha + Windows NT 3.5 = RAW SPEEED!!!