Features - Storage Innovations:

AVAMAR ANNOUNCES ENHANCED AXION VERSION 2.1

Avamar Technologies Inc announced the general availability of Axion version 2.1. Responding to input from the Company's expanding base of mid-tier and enterprise customers, Axion v2.1 delivers improved manageability with enhanced remote monitoring capabilities, enhanced reporting and improved integration capabilities.

Axion v2.1 also provides expanded client support, with the ability to backup AIX files and file systems, SQL Server 7.0 and 2000 databases, and Exchange 2003 email messages, folders and databases. Axion v2.1 can now backup the most common enterprise infrastructures including Windows, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX, Linux, NDMP filers, Exchange, Oracle and SQL Server

In addition to the improved functionality, Axion v2.1 also now supports the Dell PowerEdge server platform. Avamar customers now have flexibility to choose from the leading server and storage vendors in the market including Dell PowerEdge, IBM eServer xSeries servers and TotalStorage FAStT storage systems, HP Proliant servers and StorgeWorks MSA disk arrays, and EMC CLARiiON arrays.

According to Marc Staimer, founder of Dragon Slayer Consulting, "This new release allows many more users to deploy Avamar and enjoy Axion's unique benefits. Multi-operating system, multi-server organizations no longer need to deploy a mixed bag of different vendor data protection products to provide a complete data protection solution."

Axion v2.1 delivers remote monitoring capabilities, enhanced integration support, and improved reporting. Remote monitoring includes support for SNMP traps, event logging to local and remote syslog services, and email notifications, allowing customers to effectively monitor backup performance on an exception basis. A new, comprehensive command line interface (CLI) permits enterprises to easily integrate the Axion solution with other components of the IT infrastructure, including the ability to automate commonly performed operations. This release also supplies customers with comprehensive backup reporting at both a summary and detailed level and in graphical and tabular format. Customers now have the option of using existing reports or the ability to create custom status reports. This reporting flexibility eliminates the need for customers to purchase an external backup reporting application that is typically required with other backup solutions.

According to Kevin Daly, CEO of Avamar, "The new release significantly expands the number of applications that our product can now support. I am particularly pleased with the level of functionality improvements in this new release -- with many of the recommendations coming from our existing enterprise clients." Mr. Daly continued, "We believe the enhancements will result in both an expanded deployment of our technology within existing customer environments as well as allow us to accelerate the adoption rate for our unique disk-based backup, restore and disaster recovery solution."