Compaq Computer Corp yesterday introduced an Intelligent Array Expansion System for the Systempro servers and a Digital Audio Tape drive for its higher-end systems, and in the US also announced a new class of dealer qualification to identify those capable of supporting Systempro customers and building complex networks. The 32-bit Intelligent Drive Array Expansion Controller comes standard with 2.6Gb of disk expandable to 9.1Gb, and a Systempro can take up to two. The standard disk is a 1.3Gb Differential Interface drive said to offer better noise immunity than SCSI, and there are eight drive bays in the cabinet. Data on the array is striped and can be addressed as a single logical drive. It also has user-selectable fault-tolerant features and is currently supported by NetWare 386 and San Cruz Unix System V. It costs UKP15,600 and further 1.3Gb drives are UKP6,000. Additional controllers for duplexing are UKP1,800. The SCSI tape drive stores up to 4Gb on a 2 by 3 cartridge at up to 11Mb per minute and costs UKP3,500. It takes 1.3Gb and 2Gb cartridges. The company also doubled main memory on the Deskpro 486/33L and 386 models and Systempros to 8Mb, and cut prices on Systempros in the UK by 14% to 20% so the 486-420 is off 20% at UKP13,400, the 386-240 is off 14% at UKP8,600. The Deskpros are cut 10% to 17% with a 486/33L 650 off 10% at UKP12,200, a 386/33L 320 off 15% at UKP7,500. In the US from May 1, Compaq will designate a subset of its dealers Specialised Dealers capable of providing technical assistance on advanced operating systems from Novell Inc, Santa Cruz Operation Inc, Microsoft Corp and Banyan Systems. The company is also adding a technical toll-free telephone support service on advanced operating systems at $3,000 for 10 support incidents; the service will be marketed by dealers. Answers to simple queries will continue to be free.
