Compaq servers pack punch
Compaq attempts to position its general purpose servers for intranet applications by adding software from Microsoft, Netscape, Novell, and Raptor s to its SmartStart server configuration utility.
The moves are intended to position the company's general purpose ProSignia and ProLiant line of Intel-based servers as an optimal Web server platform for intranet applications.
Due in January, the next release of SmartStart will include Novell's IntranetWare platform--composed of the NetWare 4.11 operating system and a bundle of Web-related tools--and Netscape's FastTrack Server (at no additional cost) and Enterprise Server. Microsoft's Windows NT 4.0 with the latest version of Internet Information Server will also be supported. And Raptor's Eagle NT firewall--a company in which Compaq has an equity investment--will be included as well.
SmartStart is a CD-ROM that comes with every Compaq ProSignia and ProLiant server. The tool lets resellers or network administrators quickly configure a new server with the chosen operating system software and drivers in a point-and-click fashion. Several other leading software vendors have included their products in Compaq CD-ROM's for customers.
Compaq also today announced an agreement with PointCast to offer a channel devoted to Compaq articles or software updates on the PointCast Network client software. Compaq news will be among the options offered as part of PointCast's "push" method of news delivery to the desktop. PointCast's software for Compaq Deskpro's is now shipping with most models.
In addition, Compaq announced an agreement with VideoServer to incorporate their multimedia hardware and software in the PC vendors' server systems as an extra-cost option for videoconferencing capabilities. (See related story, Compaq partners to integrate video)