Storage Standard NFS Draws Backing

Hello,

The University of Michigan has received sponsorship from PolyServe for 
developing the next generation of the NFS protocol for Linux. PolyServe 
joins NetApp as primary technical and financial backers of this effort 
by the Center for Information Technology Integration (CITI).

Best Regards,

Rich Bruer
McClenahan Bruer Communications
503-546-1000

POLYSERVE STEPS UP STORAGE LEADERSHIP WITH SPONSORSHIP
OF NETWORK FILE SYSTEM PROTOCOL DEVELOPMENT
Company backs University of Michigan in implementing
next-generation NFS for Linux

Beaverton, Ore. — February 21, 2005 — Software developers at the 
University of Michigan have received backing from PolyServe, Inc. to 
help create an industry-standard implementation of an important 
enterprise storage protocol, Network File System Version 4 (NFSv4) for 
Linux.

NFS is the premier industry standard for fast, seamless file sharing 
among networked computers and storage equipment, such as 
network-attached storage (NAS) devices. The next generation of NFS, 
Version 4, enables huge improvements in file-sharing security and 
performance, among numerous other enhancements.

PolyServe, a leading provider of storage clustering software for Linux 
and Microsoft Windows®, will provide funding and technical assistance 
to the Center for Information Technology Integration (CITI) at the 
University of Michigan. CITI is responsible for developing a reference 
implementation of NFSv4 that is included in the open source Linux 
operating system and is being incorporated into Novell and Red Hat 
Linux distributions. PolyServe joins Network Appliance as the primary 
technical and financial sponsors of NFSv4 development on Linux.

“PolyServe’s sponsorship of CITI shows its dedication to moving the 
industry forward, ensuring there will be a standard NFS Version 4 
reference implementation for the open source community,” said Nancy 
Hurley, senior analyst for Enterprise Strategy Group. “PolyServe is 
establishing its commitment as a technology leader in the ever-evolving 
file system market.”

CITI is engineering NFSv4 for use as a universal standard for fast and 
secure access to stored data, whether across a wide area network (WAN) 
or within a single location. PolyServe’s partnership with CITI will 
focus on implementation of the protocol on the server side, while 
Network Appliance is assisting CITI on client-side implementation. In 
addition to helping to create the fastest, most robust NFS for Linux, 
PolyServe sponsorship will help CITI ensure the updated NFS protocol 
can be scaled horizontally across a cluster of servers and works 
effectively with Linux-based cluster file systems produced by 
open-source developers or commercial vendors.

A cluster file system (CFS) allows multiple servers to share 
applications, files and data while controlling access to stored data 
and maintaining data integrity. A CFS provides essential technology for 
enabling data centers to migrate from expensive, proprietary UNIX 
platforms and specialized appliances to low-cost servers and storage 
based on industry standards such as Linux.

“PolyServe is a critical partner in CITI’s development of the NFSv4 
implementation for Linux,” said Peter Honeyman, scientific director of 
CITI. “Through its financial and technical contributions to CITI, 
PolyServe underscores its commitment to open source and improving the 
Linux ecosystem as a platform for critical storage applications.”

PolyServe deploys NFS functionality in its NAS cluster solution, which 
also integrates a symmetric CFS, high-availability services and cluster 
and storage management capabilities. The product aggregates up to 16 
low-cost Linux- and x86 Architecture-based servers for 
high-performance, fault-tolerant file serving across a storage area 
network (SAN).

“NFS Version 4 for Linux is critical for enabling fast, secure and 
inexpensive access to the enormous amounts of data produced and stored 
by enterprises,” said Carter George, vice president of storage 
solutions for PolyServe. “That’s why CITI’s work is so important and 
why PolyServe is happy to help in their cause.”

About PolyServe
PolyServe, Inc. is a leading developer of shared data clustering 
software for Linux and Microsoft Windows mission-critical data centers. 
The company’s products reduce the cost and complexity associated with 
traditional clustering approaches, while offering superior scalability, 
availability and manageability. In addition to its headquarters in 
Beaverton, Ore., PolyServe has a Microsoft development center in 
Redmond, Wash. It also has sales and support offices in Atlanta, 
Austin, Boston, Chicago, London, Minneapolis, New York, Washington, 
D.C. and San Francisco. For more information about PolyServe, visit 
www.polyserve.com, or call 877-476-5973.

PolyServe and Matrix Server are trademarks of PolyServe, Inc. All other 
company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. 
Copyright © 2004 PolyServe, Inc. All rights reserved.

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