Amdahl and Microsoft Collaborate to Achieve Industry's Fastest Microsoft NT
Server to Mainframe Throughput with SNA Server

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 15, 1996 - Amdahl Corporation and Microsoft
Corporation announced today that they have achieved unprecedented
throughput for direct ESCON channel connection between the Microsoft
Windows NT Server network operating system and a mainframe. The companies
achieved throughput rates of 4.8 MB per second between an Amdahl EnVista
enterprise server and an System/390 mainframe using Microsoft SNA Server
2.11 software and Polaris Communications' ESCON PCI adaptor. Amdahl
announced its new EnVista family of enterprise servers in a separate
announcement today.

"The significant enhancement to throughput that we've achieved allows our
customers to realize more efficient, enterprise-wide client access to
mainframe data," said Dave Anderson, chief technical officer for Amdahl
Corporation. "Since no front-end processor is required, costs are
significantly lower."

"Microsoft has worked closely with Amdahl and Polaris to optimize the
performance of SNA Server," said Vesa Suomalainen, general manager of the
SNA Server product unit at Microsoft. "This integrated hardware/software
product offers the highest performance ESCON connection available today
from any Windows NT-based platform."

ENVISTA ENTERPRISE CONNECTIVITY

EnVista Channel for ESCON is a high-performance bridge to mainframe data,
providing a direct connection from EnVista enterprise servers to S/390
mainframes. The ESCON channel works with Microsoft SNA Server to provide
fast, easy and economical access to mainframe applications from LAN-based
PCs and servers. EnVista Channel for ESCON emulates multiple channel
controller protocols and can support thousands of client connections.
Amdahl is currently offering 3174 emulation for SNA support. Future
releases will include 3172 emulation for TCP/IP support and 3490 tape
emulation for bulk transfer support.

EnVista Gateway for DW/DSS facilitates downloading of bulk data from
central mainframes to data warehousing and decision-support systems
located on servers. EnVista Gateway for DW/DSS speeds data transport by
utilizing the ESCON channel option in either SNA or 3490 emulation.

MICROSOFT SNA SERVER

Using advanced client/server architecture, Microsoft SNA Server offloads
the communications processing from host computers and desktop PCs. Each PC
uses a standard LAN protocol to connect to one or more servers; SNA Server
then connects to S/390 mainframes using SNA protocols. SNA Server supports
up to 2,000 clients and 10,000 host sessions, offers hot backup and load
balancing, and comes with advanced tools for easy system set up and
centralized graphical administration. A key component of the Microsoft
BackOffice family of products, SNA Server takes full advantage of the
Windows NT Server network operating system to deliver the power,
scalability and security of this robust platform.

SNA Server has won several recent reviews and awards including PC Week's
Corporate IT Excellence Award (April 1996), LAN Magazine's Host
Connectivity Product of the Year Award (March 1996), PC Magazine's
Editor's Choice (August 1995) and Internetwork Magazine's Standards
Achievement Award (October 1995).

Amdahl offers the Microsoft BackOffice family of products on its newly
announced line of EnVista enterprise servers.

ABOUT AMDAHL CORPORATION

Amdahl (AMEX:AMH) provides enterprise computing solutions designed to meet
the needs of the leading, most computing-intensive corporations around the
world. Amdahl offerings include large-scale System/390 compatible
processors, distributed systems management software and enterprise
servers, data storage subsystems, applications development software and
development environments. Amdahl and its subsidiaries provide professional
and operational consulting services that help clients gain a competitive
advantage in their industries.

ABOUT MICROSOFT CORPORATION

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide 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.
 
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