FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information contact: Earl Christie, 617-937-3910 ext. 1350 christie@oai.com New CD/Maxtet systems feature powerful RISC processor: adds intelligence, performance, expandability BOSTON, MA (May 7, 1996) Optical Access International (OAI) delivers the latest breakthrough in CD-ROM networking technology with its new line of CD/Maxtet Servers, a family of high-performance CD-ROM tower systems for workgroup, departmental, and enterprise-wide solutions. Based on a brand new RISC processor, the new CD/Maxtet family is distinctive in offering improved speed, performance, and operability. RISC Processor Expands SCSI Addressing--an Industry Exclusive The new RISC processor technology is included with a new line of CD-ROM servers, the CD/Maxtet family, models 800, 1400, 1600, 2100, and 3500. With the new built-in processor and multiplexor, these new models enable up to eight CD-ROM drives to use a single SCSI address, enabling expansion of networked CD-ROM resources. With traditional SCSI ID addressing technology, a computer system is limited to just seven drives per SCSI channel. With OAI's new RISC processor, up to fifty six CD-ROM drives can operate from a single SCSI channel. The new CD/Maxtet architecture extends the system's capacity while maintaining the speed and data integrity that has been the hallmark of the CD/Maxtet family for years. CD/Maxtet Family Adds New Features, Including SuperCache The new CD/Maxtet models include: 8-to-1 SCSI address utilization Interactive video display for enhanced control and operational flexibility Active Termination for "plug and play" installation and reconfiguration Fastest data access and transfer speeds in the industry at 110msec and 1,000Kbytes/sec, respectively Modular configurations to support from 8 to 35 CD-ROM drives in a cabinet   Included with the CD/Maxtet models is OAI's award-winning software, SuperCache. By caching directory, index and other key data elements, CD-ROM speed is increased by a factor of 10, enabling simultaneous, widespread use of CD-ROM data by multiple users over a network. The new CD/Maxtet models revolutionize the utility of CD-ROM servers by providing direct, on-the-unit feedback of operational activity and configuration status. On-board SCSI plug-and-play active termination automatically detects if the tower is on the end of the SCSI bus and, if so, provides active termination, insuring greater data integrity and eliminating the need to worry about SCSI termination. CD/Maxtet Family Gives Users a Choice "With the increasing availability of high-quality, mission-critical titles that need to be put on-line for maximum usefulness, organizations require an expandable solution for CD-ROM management," said Willard K. Rice, OAI's CEO. "The CD/Maxtet family provides direct, simultaneous access to every CD, a must for product usage of CD-ROM material in any multi-user environment." The new CD/Maxtet models, the 800, 1400, 1600, 2100, and 3500 include 8, 14, 16, 21, and 35 drives respectively. Equipped with 6.7X speed CD-ROM drives and SuperCache software, average data access is under 110 msec and data transfer exceeds 1,000 Kbytes/sec, setting the industry's standard for performance. The CD/Maxtet family supports a wide range of personal computer networks, including AppleShare, NetWare, Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server, and Banyan's Vines. CD/Maxtet models are available with either 4X or 6.7X speed CD-ROM drives. Manufacturers Suggested List Price (MSLP) starts at $5595 for the 8-drive CD/Maxtet 800 system.   Optical Access International, Inc. (OAI) is a leading developer of software and hardware solutions for optical storage in both PC and Macintosh environments. With a special emphasis on CD-ROM networking, OAI's products provide high-speed access to CD-ROM storage systems and software in all fields of computer applications. OAI's products are utilized by customers in the US, Canada, and seventeen other countries.