Adaptec's New Multichannel PCI Boards Double I/O Performance of Server and
Multimedia Applications

ULTRASCSI AND MULTICHANNEL I/O OFFER SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE AND PCI EXPANSION
OPTIONS

MILPITAS, CALIF, - April 2, 1996 - Adaptec, Inc., announced two new
PCI-UltraSCSI multichannel host adapters today, the AHA-3940U and
AHA-3940UW, designed to meet the needs of today's bigger and faster PC/LAN
server and multimedia production applications. With the two new Adaptec
AIC-7880 PhaseEngine RISC processors on board powering two independent
UltraSCSI channels, the AHA-3940U achieves a maximum per channel data
transfer rate of 20 MB/sec. and supports up to 14 SCSI devices. The
AHA-3940UW transfers data at up to 40 MB/sec. per channel and supports up
to 30 SCSI devices.

New features for the AHA-3940U family include Flash BIOS for easier
software driver upgrades, new enabling software including the Adaptec 7800
Manager Set (v.1.3) and Adaptec EZ-SCSI 4.0 software, for operating
systems support and simple management of SCSI peripherals. The
AHA-3940U/UW kits also include Adaptec CI/O software v 1.03, for remote
monitoring of SCSI device performance.

"For PC/LAN servers that require the fastest throughput and the highest
degree of expandability, multichannel I/O is the only choice," said ECX
vice president and general manager Drew Hoffman. "For systems designers,
VARs and motherboard manufacturers, this technology effectively builds a
wealth of device connection options into today's high-end servers without
sacrificing performance."

ACCELERATING THROUGHPUT WITH MULTICHANNEL I/O

Server and network data traffic demands are driving the need for faster I/O
options to reduce bottlenecks. Multichannel I/O has a distinct advantage
by adding a second "lane" for transferring data between peripherals and
the CPU. High-end PC/LAN servers typically operate with a large number of
peripheral devices attached. The additional lane improves overall
peripheral performance by isolating slower peripherals on the second I/O
channel.

Applications well-suited to multichannel I/O include online transaction
processing and database management, web server traffic processing,
multimedia and video production.

ULTRASCSI: PERFORMANCE AND COMPATIBILITY

UltraSCSI gives the AHA-3940U family the highest levels of SCSI performance
possible. UltraSCSI technology will improve PC/LAN server I/O when used in
a number of key application areas, including multiple drive arrays and
multitasking operating systems. It will also improve performance of
applications that require a high number of sequential disk accesses and
commands, as well as large data transfers.

UltraSCSI is completely backward compatible. Users can mix and match any
variety of SCSI-1, SCSI-2 and SCSI-3 devices.

The adapters implement the Adaptec UltraSCSI specification, which meets or
exceeds the SCSI-3 Fast-20 draft specification, as proposed by the
American National Standard for Information Systems (ANSI). This
implementation doubles the I/O transfer rate of SCSI-2 from 10 to 20
MB/sec. per channel for an eight-bit (narrow) SCSI bus, and from 20 to 40
MB/sec. per channel for a 16-bit (wide) bus.

The AHA-3940U/UW kits contain the following:

 AHA-3940U or 3940UW PCI-Ultra SCSI multichannel host adapter
 Adaptec EZ-SCSI 4.0 software
 Adaptec 7800 Manager Set software (Version 1.3)
 Adaptec CI/O Single Server Management software (Version 1.03)
 User documentation and two internal SCSI cables

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The AHA-3940U kits will carry a suggested retail price of $499; the
AHA-3940UW, $599. Both kits are scheduled for volume distribution in May
1996.

Adaptec Inc. (NASDAQ:ADPT) designs, manufactures and markets IOware
solutions to eliminate performance bottlenecks between microcomputers,
networks, and peripherals. Solutions range from simple connectivity
products for single-user and small-office desktops, to intelligent
subsystem, high-performance SCSI, RAID and ATM products for enterprise-
wide computing and networked environments. Adaptec I/O solutions are
incorporated into the products of virtually all the major computer and
peripheral manufacturers around the world.

Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., Adaptec is a
recognized market leader in high-performance I/O technology. Adaptec
currently employs approximately 2,000 people, and with its global
distribution network, serves customers worldwide. Adaptec's World Wide Web
home page address is http://www.adaptec.com.
 
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