Dell Enters Unix Arena With Family Of '386-Based Multiuser Systems

Will Announce Dell Unix System V-386 Release 3.2 At UniForum

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 21, 1989 -- PRNewswire -- Dell Computer Corporation (NASDAQ: DELL) will introduce two complete UNIX systems that combine the company's high-performance '386-based computers with an optimized version of AT&T's UNIX operating system to offer a superior price- performance platform for advanced multiuser applications.

The Dell UNIX systems, which will be announced at the UniForum Conference in San Francisco on Feb. 28, are built around Dell UNIX System V/386 Release 3.2--the first third-party version of the operating system marketed under AT&T's UNIX trademark--and the company's System 310 and System 325 computers. The 20-megahertz (Mhz) System 310 supports up to 16 users and is priced from $6,599 to $11,950, while the 25-Mhz System 325 accommodates as many as 32 users with prices ranging from $8,199 to $13,550.

"Targeting UNIX is a strategic diversification move by the company and continues our aggressive push into corporate and government computing environments, where UNIX has emerged as a major force in departmental and workgroup applications," said Michael S. Dell, the company's chairman and chief executive officer. "Through our direct-to-the-customer marketing approach and VAR partners, we're able to offer these users--and those considering multiuser systems--a unique combination of price/performance systems, a commitment to enhancing industry standards, and a service and support package that's unrivaled in the computer industry."

Each Dell UNIX system is custom-configured during manufacturing with the appropriate RAM, disk drives, communications cards, keyboard and monitor. The Dell UNIX System V/386 Release 3.2 is installed at the factory with default parameters based on memory and hard drive capacities. Every Dell UNIX system is supported with a toll-free UNIX technical support hotline and an on-site service program. Dell's after-the-sale service and support program was recently rated the industry's most comprehensive and responsive by a survey of volume PC purchasers in PC Week magazine.

At the heart of Dell's UNIX offerings is the Dell UNIX System V/386 Release 3.2, an enhanced and performance-optimized version of UNIX System V Release 3.2 based on INTERACTIVE Systems Corporation's 386/ix. Upward compatible with previous versions of UNIX System V and compliant with AT&T's System V Interface Definition (SVID), Dell's UNIX also provides full binary and source code compatibility with Microsoft XENIX System V/386 and XENIX System V/286. XENIX applications comprise the largest PC installed base of UNIX systems.

Dell has added significant extensions to the UNIX operating system, including bundled software to simultaneously access MS-DOS applications and support for the X Windows System, the evolving industry standard for graphical interfaces in the UNIX environment.

Called VP/ix, the DOS extension--developed by INTERACTIVE Systems Corporation and Phoenix Technologies Ltd.--offers a fully integrated MS/DOS and UNIX environment. When running the VP/ix environment, Dell UNIX System V/386 users have access to thousands of applications written for the DOS system, while providing access to the multiuser, multitasking capabilities of UNIX. Since both operating systems are running concurrently on the same computer, the features and functions of both are available at all times.

The X11.3 Window System provides a graphics windowing environment for the system console, allowing multiple UNIX and DOS applications to be viewed concurrently, and serves as the foundation to allow Dell UNIX users to incorporate future graphical interfaces being developed around the X Window protocol.

"Dell recognizes the considerable investment corporate users have made in DOS files and applications, but we also want to provide a window to UNIX's future," said Dell. "That's why we're delivering a comprehensive multiuser system that protects existing MIS investments and offers support for any future UNIX graphics interface."

Among the key networking communications options available directly from Dell are the TCP/IP communications software, the Network File System (NFS) from Sun Microsystems--derived from System V NFS developed by Lachman Associates--and PC Interface from Locus Computing Corporation. The TCP/IP Networking system gives Dell UNIX users remote log-in, file transfer and electronic mail access to other UNIX and non-UNIX systems, such as MS-DOS or DEC's VMS.

NFS allows networked UNIX systems to transparently share files, hiding the physical location of files so that users can work with remote files as if they were local files. PC Interface lets a Dell UNIX System act as a file server for networked PCs running MS-DOS applications.

For its UNIX offerings, Dell is targeting corporate departments and workgroups, as well as small-to-midsize businesses, government agencies and educational institutions. The small-scale UNIX systems product category -- typically 16 users -- is the fastest growing segment of the overall UNIX marketplace, according to Dataquest. Dell market research indicates the nearly 200,000 units of 386-based UNIX systems will be sold in 1989, withmore than 400,000 386-based UNIX systems expected to be sold in 1990.

Furthermore, the UNIX operating system will account for as much as 20 percent of all 80386/80486-based computer sales in the next five years, reports the Gartner Group. According to Glenn Henry, Dell's vice president of research and development and a former IBM Fellow who was the lead architect and system manager of IBM's AIX product, UNIX's popularity is based on its strong multiuser, multitasking and communications features -- and the fact that UNIX is not tied to a single processor technology.

"UNIX capitalizes on many of the advanced performance features of the 32-bit 80386 processor, while offering networking and communications options designed for today's interconnected workgroup environments," said Henry. "Plus, there's an enormous base of more than 4,000 UNIX software applications on the market today, as well as the vast array of MS-DOS programs available through our VP/ix integration of DOS and UNIX environments."

The company also announced Dell MT-15 Terminals for low-cost system expansion and a series of communications adaptor cards for multiuser and networking applications. Two RS-0232 intelligent Multiport Serial Cards (MSC) are available: the MSC-08 and MSC-16, which feature eight or 16 high-speed asynchronous ports, respectively. In addition, Dell markets EtherLink and EtherLink II adaptor cards from 3Com Corporation that will enable Dell UNIX systems to communicate across heterogeneous networks using TCP/IP software or serve as network servers to other UNIX or DOS systems on Ethernet LANs.

A set of optional application packages and development tools are also available through Dell.

Dell Computer Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports Dell personal computers. Based in Austin, Texas, the company also sells a complete line of personal computer products including software, monitors, peripherals and accessories.

DELL UNIX SYSTEMS SPECIFICATION SHEET

Dell UNIX System 325

-- 25 MHz Intel386 processor

-- Cache memory utilizing 25 nanosecond static RAM

-- 4MB of 32-bit RAM for high performance (expandable to 16MB)

-- One 90MB, 18-millisecond ESDI hard drive (18-millisecond 150MB

and 322MB ESDI hard drives available)

-- One 5.25-inch, 1.2MB diskette drive or one 3.5-inch, 1.44MB

diskette drive

-- Optional 150MB internal tape backup

-- A VGA Monochrome or VGA Color Plus Monitor with adapter

-- Eight expansion slots (six available for options)

-- Space for two additional half-height or one additional

full-height mass storage device

-- Dell UNIX System software installed at manufacturing facility

Dell UNIX System 310

-- 20 MHz Intel386 processor

-- Cache memory utilizing 35 nanosecond static RAM