Notes/Domino Networks Get Pumped

by Dan Burger

Companies of all sizes are dealing with bandwidth sluggishness and storage limitations that impact network performance. But the big dogs at the top of the food chain, the multinational conglomerates, are particularly susceptible because, through acquisitions and mergers, the number of users, the volume of e-mail traffic, and the scope and size of attachments, applications, and databases are greatly expanded. One of the ramifications of corporate growth is an IT network that is pushed to the limits of its performance.

If you are an IBM Lotus Notes/Domino shop, TurboGold Enterprise Edition, from Stampede Technologies, is a performance enhancer that could bring your network back from the brink. Stampede officials say their software accelerates Lotus Notes and Lotus Domino performance by up to five times, and with that performance boost comes the additional benefits of lowering telecommunication costs, increasing productivity, and improving bandwidth. TurboGold Enterprise Edition was released in September 2002, but Stampede recently added several enhancements worth noting.

With this latest product release--called TurboGold Enterprise Edition Release 1, Build 5.10--Stampede has focused on the areas of data movement, data storage, and bringing its product up to speed with the most current versions of Notes and Domino.

To speed data movement, Stampede has improved TurboGold's network multicasting capability from being only on the client/server side to now including server-to-server, which Stampede expects will have appeal for its large customers. It also includes multi-user support, a feature of Notes/Domino 6.01 that allows multiple users to be logged on from a single desktop and maintain their own replica on that desktop.

The most significant improvements are in the data storage area. The capability to automatically Zip attachments without users having to get involved, which Stampede calls AutoZip and which was introduced with Enterprise Edition last fall, has been enhanced. It now includes a stand-alone server utility that allows you to take existing data and Zip it where it resides on the server, and therefore reduce storage constraints and, in effect, reclaim storage. This is file compression up to 85 percent, and when used in real time it also serves to reduce bandwidth traffic.

Lotus Notes is designed to replicate all files that have been changed. So TurboGold includes a feature called JustZip. When it encounters files that have been Zipped on any server, rather than indicating that it needs to be replicated, TurboGold sends instructions so the data gets Zipped across the enterprise without moving the data. This reduces data movement, frees bandwidth, and reclaims storage space for all database subscribers throughout the network.

The latest round of enhancements has not changed the pricing of TurboGold Enterprise Edition, which is determined on a per-client and per-server basis. The basic, entry-level list prices are under $70 per client and under $2,000 per server, with discounts based on the total price of the package.

Stampede Technologies is based in Dayton, Ohio. For more information, go to www.stampede.com.

Sponsored By ESTORAGE

FOR ALL YOUR iSERIES™ STORAGE NEEDS! The Best Way to Back Up Your iSeries Tape backups are critical in an iSeries environment. So why not insist upon the best? With a 400,000 hour MTBF and features like Advanced Metallic Evaporated tape, Sony's AIT-3 tape drives are the industry leaders in reliability. Plus, they store up to 300GB of data on a single cartridge and transfer data at rates up to 128GB per hour to handle your toughest backup jobs. Now eStorage and Sony have partnered to bring AIT-3 technology to the iSeries world. With complete iSeries compatibility to work with all popular backup applications. And for a limited time only, you can buy an eStorage AIT-3 single drive tape subsystem for only $4,995. For more information, visit www.estorageinc.com/ait or call 800-598-9910 (+1 949-453-7600 outside U.S. and Canada). 15K High Performance Disk for ANY iSeries™! Disk performance is very important in all iSeries environments, because applications like J. D. Edwards require very fast access times to meet the high I/O demand. For such environments, 15,000 RPM (15K) disk drives offer significant performance advantages compared to the 10K and 7.2K drives that are most commonly used with iSeries and AS/400® computers. Because of the higher rotational speed of 15K drives, average access times are significantly reduced, making them ideal for enhancing the performance of any iSeries operation, especially I/O intensive applications. eStorage was the first company to offer 15K disk drives for iSeries and AS/400 computers, and is the only company that provides 15K disk drives for older models of these computer systems. In addition, eStorage is the only company that offers a 17GB 15K drive for iSeries computers. Now eStorage is making it cost-effective for any iSeries user to take advantage of high performance 15K disk technology with a limited time "Buy One Get One Free" offer. Simply buy one eStorage 4319-15K 35GB disk drive or 4318F-15K 17GB disk drive at the regular price of $1,650.00, and you'll get a second 4319-15K or 4318F-15K FREE! For more information, visit www.estorageinc.com or call 800-598-9910 (+1 949-453-7600 outside U.S. and Canada) About eStorage eStorage, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of enterprise storage systems. Focusing on the IBM iSeries™ and AS/400® mid-range computer market, eStorage provides a full range of high-end disk subsystems, tape subsystems, automated tape libraries, and storage management software. These sophisticated solutions offer higher performance, greater functionality, increased uptime, and reduced costs compared to competing products. Based in Irvine, California, eStorage sells and services its products worldwide.