Following the expansion of its XA2000 fault tolerant range at the top-end last November, Stratus Computer Inc, Marlboro, Massachusetts, today introduces two new entry-level systems: the Models 50 and 70 aimed at medium to small-sized businesses, banks and brokers looking at fault tolerance and on-line transaction processing. The new machines replace the existing FT250 entry level system, and with a starting price of ?68,100 are said to provide twice the power with a 35% reduction in cost, achieving an ET-1 rating of 10 transactions per second for the Model 50 and 14 for the Model 70, according to Stratus. The Model 70, with duplexed processor board with four 68020s per board and additional expansion capabilities, costs ?94,000. The new machines incorporate a single-board input-output subsystem to co ordinate communications and peripherals control functions as standard; these will be offered as an option on the rest of the range. Stratus will be offering a series of input-output adaptors as plug-in cards for the input-output processor, including a universal communications adaptor for connecting alien equipment, and an Ethernet adaptor offering link-level interface and optional TCP/IP interface, as well as connections for terminals, printers, and communications lines. Stratus also announced 152Mb and 320Mb disk subsystems and a new cartridge tape drive for low-cost data back-up. The systems are to be available this year.
