Appro offers the BladeDome Server Management software option designed exclusively for the Appro HyperBlade clusters to control, manage and monitor key system resources

Milpitas, CA – October 6, 2003 – Appro (http://www.appro.com), a leading provider of high-density, high-performance enterprise computing systems announced today the Appro HyperBlade Mini-Cluster solution based on dual AMD Opteron Processors.

This Mini-Cluster is designed for the High-Performance Computational (HPC) market and is a fully integrated cluster solution supporting up to 17 compute blades including a master node. This is the ideal solution for customers who want to start small in a modular clustering computing environment. If transaction or database volumes grow, customers can add a full-size HyperBlade cluster cabinet that supports up to 80 nodes. Blade servers fit both cluster cabinets with the ability to mix and match blades as needed.

Appro HyperBlade Mini-Cluster provides a very densely packaged cluster building block, perfect for scaling up to meet the demands of the largest computational simulations while conserving floor space. The Appro HyperBlade Mini-Cluster delivers outstanding price/performance in a truly flexible, modular and scalable blade clustering computing solution.

Remote Management, High-Speed Interconnects and Operating Systems Options Appro HyperBlade clusters offer high-speed interconnect and remote server management software options. The Appro BladeDome Server Management software is designed exclusively for HyperBlade clusters to deliver a cost-effective and simple solution for system administrators. This is a sophisticated hardware-and-software monitoring and management tool that gives you in-depth visual feedback on all your hardware subsystems. It offers a feature-set application delivering basic management functions without the use of expensive baseboard controllers. Appro recognizes that nearly as important as the servers and remote server management are the network interconnects that bind the array together. Appro offers high-speed interconnect options such as Myrinet, Dolphin, Quadrics and InfiniBand™ for all cluster solutions. On the software side, Appro offers a choice of Linux or Windows Operating Systems.

Mini-Cluster Features and benefits: - Up to 17 compute nodes including a master node - One PCI-X slot per node - Up to 16GB ECC DDR Memory - Simultaneous 32-bit and 64-bit computing capability - Remote Management and High-Speed Interconnect options - Choice of Linux or Windows Operating Systems - Packaged flexible, modular and scalable bundle solution for the High-Performance Computing

“The supercomputing market is undergoing substantial change with the introduction of commodity clusters. With the acceptance of Linux, the launch of the powerful AMD Opteron Processor, combined with Appro’s high quality density blade servers with excellent remote management capabilities, customers can reduce IT complexity and improve efficiency for enterprise and high-performance servers"; said Daniel Kim, CEO and President of Appro.

“Appro HyperBlade Clusters, based on AMD Opteron processors, will offer an outstanding portfolio of highly flexible, modular and scalable infrastructure solutions for the HPC market,” said Ben Williams, director, AMD's Server/Workstation Business. “Appro’s server solutions take full advantage of the seamless transition to 64-bit computing provided by the AMD OpteronÔ processor, while protecting customers’ investment in existing 32-bit applications.”

About Appro Established in 1991, APPRO is a privately held company headquartered in Milpitas, California. APPRO enables a variety of network computing applications by developing powerful, scalable, and reliable clusters, servers, storage subsystems and high-end workstations for the high-performance computing (HPC), Internet infrastructure and Linux cluster market. Additional information at http://www.appro.com