Plat'Home launches Linux-based Eco-Friendly servers

Plat'Home Launches First Linux-based Eco-Friendly Servers In United States
 
Ultra-low power, compact Linux server OpenBlockS embraced by customers in Japan from NTT
Communications to cell phone giant KDDI
 
SAN JOSE, Calif. -March 31, 2008-Plat'Home, Japan's Linux technology pioneer, is bringing its
OpenBlockSTM server, a small, easy-to-use, easy-to-configure solution for growing companies, to
North America. Part of the first ecology-friendly line of Linux servers ever shipped in the United
States, Plat'Home's OpenBlockS server has been built and tested to provide enterprise-grade
reliability in its RISC-based hardware, and has eliminated moving parts including a hard disk drive
and cooling fan.  It is also RoHS certified, a European Union directive meaning free of lead,
mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and other damaging materials.
 
The OpenBlockS server line is a breakthrough in size and power consumption for a Linux server. One
standard configuration Dell, HP or IBM server consumes the same amount of power as 76 of these
devices.  The OpenBlockS sips a miniscule 4.5 watts or less during operation.  In standby mode, it
is 4.0 watts or less.  This compares, for example, to the Dell PowerEdge R200 that chews up 345
watts.  
 
The Japanese major telecommunications provider KDDI offers its customers not only a mobile phone
network, but also VPN services for mission critical intranets. Among them, the backbone Ethernet
WAN service KDDI Powered Ethernet received high evaluations and ranked first in customer
satisfaction(*1) and utilization rate(*2). In these extraordinarily crucial systems of KDDI Powered
Ethernet, the Plat'Home OpenBlockS is used.
 
"Creating an appliance server with the OpenBlockS was surprisingly easy. Its flexibility and
reliability has given us a noteworthy advantage. We could lower costs, while strengthening our
networks at the same time." says Hideki Takeuchi, group leader of the KDDI technical service
center.
 
Ideal for many surveillance and automation processes where reliability is the most important
factor, the OpenBlockS server runs a broad range of applications and provides unmatched uptime even
in hazardous environments. The OpenBlockS can also be used to manage network problems and
troubleshoot errors such as packet loss, delay, fluctuation, and duplication. It provides a
cost-effective solution to monitor a local network and to ensure line quality for a critical server
or terminal where it is necessary to maintain an appropriate line speed.
 
Key features of the Plat'Home OpenBlockS include:
 
·         "Fits in the palm of your hand" design (4.5'' x 3.2'' x 1.5'')
·         Power Consumption during operation at 4.5W or less; 4.0W or less during standby
·         Preinstalled with SSD/Linux; also supports Debian and NetBSD
·         266MHz AMCC PowerPC 405GPr RISC processor
·         2 10/100BaseTX Ethernet Ports, 1 RJ-45 Serial port
·         Stable long-term operation even under 41°C/104°F
·         Internal Storage: Compact Flash or IDE 2.5" HDD (optional)
 
OpenBlockS servers can be fully administered over the network, and do not require a connection to
I/O devices such as a monitor, keyboard or mouse.
Government agencies, software engineering firms, educational institutions and many other
organizations have put OpenBlockS servers to good use; for access to Plat'Home case studies, please
visit http://www.plathome.com/casestudy/index.html. 
 
"The OpenBlockS has done very well in the Japanese market because it can answer so many needs for
service suppliers and software vendors all at once. North American users will have the advantage of
a so-called ?brand-new' solution that has already been stress-tested in a demanding market," said
Tomoyasu Suzuki, president of Plat'Home. "This is good technology, at a good price, in a very small
box."
 
Plat'Home makes devices available for test evaluation by qualified prospective enterprise customers
in the U.S. For information on how to test how well your applications can run on OpenBlockS on your
network, please contact Plat'Home at support@plathome.com. 
 
About Plat'Home 
Plat'Home Co.,Ltd. introduced the fledgling Linux operating system to Japan when it was founded in
1993. Plat'Home introduced the first server line under its own brand in 1996, and went public at
the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2000. Plat'Home is First Partner for SoftEther, developer of the
revolutionary VPN software PacketiX VPN.  In 2007, Plat'Home established its first U.S. subsidiary,
in San Jose, California, to introduce Japanese IT products to new markets. For more information,
please contact Plat'Home USA Ltd. at sales@plathome.com. 
 
*1 Source: Nikkei Computer 8/20/2007. 12th Network Service Customer Satisfaction Survey. Ranked
1st.
*2 Source: Nikkei Communication 9/01/2007. Corporate Network Field Survey "Wide Ethernet". Ranked
1st for 6 consecutive times.
 
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Media contact
 
Jesse Casman, Page One PR for Plat'Home
jesse@pageonepr.com
415-321-2347