Atex Inc., a Kodak subsidiary, a supplier of high availability publishing
systems has developed a fault tolerant NFS file server.  The product
allows NFS client processes to continue computing, in the event of any
single point of failure of the server or its network enviroment, even if
the failure occured mid-transaction.  This is accomplished without any
modification to client software.

The fault tolerant system is comprised of two 486 servers, one acting as a
primary server and the other as a secondary server.  Each server runs Unix
V.3.  A proprietary high speed interface connects the two servers. The
dual servers eliminate all single points of failure.

Continuous diagnostic monitoring of all system interfaces, including the
required un-interuptable powersupply, enables the secondary server to
detect when to take over client processes from a failed primary server.

A change journal of all data blocks modified since the primary server went
down is used to quickly bring the primary back into data synchronization
when it is returned to service.

A modified UNIX file system copies all file system data updates from the
primary server to the secondary server.  The dual data copies obviate the
need to commit file system data to disk.  The use of a large buffer cache
allows the file server to operate out of memory with little or no disk
reads or writes.  The result is large improvement in UNIX file system and
data base  performance.  The secondary server can be used in a read only
mode for further performance gains.

Atex is looking for a strategic partner to market the FTFS product and will
port the product to the operating system and hardware of the selected
vendor.

For further product information contact:

 Atex Inc.
 805 Middlesex Tpk.
 Billerica Ma., 01821
 U.S.A.

Tel: (508)670-3133


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