HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 1999--

Full Line of 4-Way Servers Shipping with

Intel Pentium(R) II Xeon(tm) 450MHz Processors;

Upgrade to Smart Array Controller Reduces Downtime

Compaq Computer Corporation, the world's leading server vendor, today announced four new Compaq ProLiant server models based on the next generation Pentium(R) II Xeon(tm) 450 MHz processors--offering more choice than any other server vendor. With today's announcement Compaq extends its leadership by combining the latest high-performance processor technology with fault tolerant features and flexible form factors to support the most demanding business applications.

Compaq also announced today an upgrade to its industry leading PCI-based Smart Array 3100 ES controllers for high availability and uninterrupted access to mission critical data.

"Compaq is committed to rapidly bringing to market the newest advances in processor technology and high availability features for our complete line of industry-standard servers," said Mary McDowell, Vice President and General Manager, Industry-Standard Server Division, Compaq Computer Corporation. "This is just one of the many reasons why businesses worldwide trust the Compaq ProLiant family of servers for running their most demanding business critical applications."

ProLiant servers based on the Pentium(R) II Xeon(tm) 500 MHz processors will be introduced in the first quarter of 1999.

The Compaq ProLiant 7000 and ProLiant 6500 servers, deliver the levels of availability, performance and scalability required to keep demanding enterprise database, ERP, transaction processing and web server applications running in business-critical environments. Both servers offer advanced fault tolerant features including redundant processor power modules, redundant power supplies, redundant cooling fans and PCI Hot Plug components that can be swapped without powering down the system.

To provide a seamless and cost-effective upgrade path from Ethernet to Fast Ethernet, and all the way up to Gigabit Ethernet, the ProLiant 7000 and ProLiant 6500 feature the recently announced Compaq NC3131 Fast Ethernet NIC to provide three high-speed network connections through one server slot. Only Compaq responds to customers' business critical needs with servers that offer choice for high density and expansion to best fit customers' IT environments.

The ProLiant 7000 supports up to four Pentium(R) II Xeon(tm) 450 MHz processors with integrated 1 MB or 2 MB Level 2 cache, and is expandable to 8 GB of ECC protected memory. The ProLiant 7000 will be upgradable to future eight-way processor technology. The ProLiant 6500 supports up to four Pentium(R) II Xeon(tm) 450 MHz processors with integrated 512KB, 1 MB or 2 MB Level 2 cache, and is expandable to 4GB of ECC protected memory. The ProLiant 6500 is ideally suited for multi-server environments where its slim, space saving design allows six units to be stacked in a standard 42U 19-inch rack - a key benefit for external storage implementations, such as clusters or server farms. This rack-ready server can be converted to a tower form factor for maximum flexibility in a wide range of settings.

Enterprise Value Class Systems

The Compaq ProLiant 6000 and ProLiant 5500 servers offer breakthrough value for enterprise applications and environments, providing high performance solutions platforms for running business critical database, transaction processing, messaging and web hosting applications. With advanced high availability features including redundant processor power modules and Hot Plug components, these servers deliver the highest levels of fault tolerance in their class. The ProLiant 6000 supports up to four Pentium(R) II Xeon(tm) 450 MHz processors with integrated 512KB or 1 MB Level-2 cache, is expandable to 8 GB of ECC protected memory, and features up to 218.4GB of internal storage capacity. The ProLiant 5500 supports up to four Pentium(R) II Xeon(tm) 450 MHz processors with integrated 512KB, 1 MB or 2 MB Level-2 cache, and is expandable to 4 GB of ECC protected memory. It is available in tower or rack models to fit easily into any environment.

Fault Tolerant Smart Array Controllers

For the highest levels of fault tolerance, performance and capacity when deploying ProLiant 7000 and 6000 servers with attached storage systems, Compaq also announced today an upgrade for its PCI-based Smart Array 3100ES Controllers. To prevent data loss and ensure uninterrupted access to mission critical data, ProLiant 6000 and 7000 server customers can purchase a Smart Array Software Upgrade and an additional Smart Array 3100ES Controller for automatic, online failover and continuous operation during the replacement of a failed controller. With the Smart Array Software Upgrade, administrators can also reconfigure RAID levels and change the stripe size of logical drives - without taking the server offline.

Pricing, Availability and Services

All pricing is based on U.S. estimated street prices. Reseller prices may vary. Prices for the ProLiant 7000 server with one Pentium(R) II Xeon(tm) 450 MHz processor with 1 MB of L2 cache, 256 MB of ECC memory and the Smart Array 3100ES Controller start at $20,909. Prices for the ProLiant 6500 with one Pentium(R) II Xeon(tm) 450 MHz processor with 512KB of L2 cache and 256 MB of ECC memory start at $11,932. Prices for the ProLiant 6000 with one Pentium(R) II Xeon(tm) 450 MHz processor with 512KB of L2 cache and 128 MB of ECC memory start at $10,229. Prices for the ProLiant 5500 with one Pentium(R) II Xeon(tm) 450 MHz processor with 512KB of L2 cache and 256 MB of ECC memory start at $7,159. Each product announced today is currently shipping.

Compaq Services support the products announced today with a full line of lifecycle services. These include but are not limited to: Installation and Startup Services for NT systems; Microsoft Exchange Installation and Startup Services; four channel-ready, packaged levels of Priority Service Plans to suit customers' hardware, software and warranty support requirements and Availability Assessment for high-availability systems.

Company Background

Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation is a Fortune Global 100 company. Compaq is the second largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of personal computers. Compaq develops and markets hardware, software, solutions, and services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, networking and communication products, commercial desktop and portable products and consumer PCs. The company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly programs and business practices.

Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and information about Compaq and its products are available at http://www.compaq.com.

Compaq, Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.