7/5/00
Concentric Enhances Managed Server Product Line with Expanded Suite of Windows NT and Linux Servers
Next Generation Suite Includes Cobalt and Compaq Servers for Greater Reliability and Flexibility
SAN JOSE, CA - Concentric Network, a Nextlink Communications Company (NASDAQ: NKLK), a leading provider of e-business solutions for growing companies, today announced new additions to the ConcentricHost™ Managed Server product line designed to increase platform and configuration options for small- and medium-sized business (SMB) users. The improved line of managed Web hosting services provides customers with platform flexibility and simplified site administration, allowing users to maintain a worry-free Web presence.
Concentric's managed server plans give business customers the option of outsourcing the operation of their Web server so they can focus on server applications and content. Servers are located in telco-grade data centers and are backed by a private, Tier 1 network for unparalleled security and reliability. Customers have the flexibility to build a hosting plan that fits their needs and budget with four customizable Cobalt and Compaq configurations that include options for RAM, operating system, processor speed, and quantity of storage space. Standard features of ConcentricHost plans include daily incremental and weekly file system backups, as well as a monthly traffic allocation.
Optimized for ease of use, customers may choose the Cobalt RaQ 3i Server with Linux from Cobalt Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: COBT), which boasts an open source design and extensible architecture that makes it easy to integrate, deploy, and support Internet- and network-based applications. It includes a Web-based graphical user interface that makes configuration intuitive and user-friendly, as well as Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to protect data traffic. An ideal server appliance platform for Web and application hosting, the Cobalt RaQ 3i is pre-configured with the Linux operating system, Apache Web server, Sendmail, and Microsoft Front Page extensions. Cobalt server appliances also provide the core Web publishing, e-mail, and file transfer services upon which service providers and developers can build their solutions. ConcentricHost with Cobalt/Linux options start at $375/month.
"Concentric's robust managed server capability combined with the Cobalt RaQ server appliance allow ConcentricHost to offer flexible, easy-to-use service to customers who require dedicated Web and application hosting," said Kelly Herrell, vice president of marketing, Cobalt Networks, Inc. "Cobalt server appliances allow Concentric's small to medium-sized business customers to focus on getting their online businesses up and running quickly, efficiently and affordably."
To provide businesses with more enhanced flexibility, Concentric also offers SMBs the ConcentricHost Managed Server with ProLiant DL360 servers from Compaq (NYSE: CPQ). With the Compaq server platform, customers can choose the operating system most suited to their business needs, either Windows NT or RedHat Linux. Compaq ProLiant servers coupled with Concentric solutions provide industry-leading technology and radical simplification of the customer's computing experience that SMBs require to be competitive. As these needs and abilities change with time, Concentric's hosting plans may be easily upgraded, enabling customers to grow with a fully supported ProLiant server. Compaq ProLiant DL360 servers are density optimized and come with a set of pre-configured hardware including Pentium III, 800 MHz processors, SmartArray RAID Controller Card, Hot-Pluggable Drive Cage, and SCSI hard drives. ConcentricHost Managed Server on Compaq starts at $595/month.
"Concentric's efforts with Cobalt and Compaq enable us to combine best-in-breed hardware options with the crucial elements that comprise a world-class line of dedicated hosting services including ease of use, unsurpassed platform flexibility and superior 24x7 support," said Mark Fisher, senior vice president of marketing for Concentric. "By working with the industry leading partners, we are able to deliver superior solutions at the best price, as exemplified by this enhanced line of hosting products."
Another option for customers who want to run Microsoft applications such as Active Server Pages (ASP) or other Windows NT-specific operations on their Web site is shared-NT Web hosting. The ConcentricHost NT Web-based control panel allows customers to easily manage domain information and features advanced reporting options for monitoring disk usage, managing e-mail boxes, and setting up databases. In addition to simple site management tools, shared-NT Web hosting allows Web developers to use their preferred scripting tools including VBScript, C/C++, JavaScript, Common Gateway Interface (CGI), server side includes and Perl. Competitively priced at $24.95/month, ConcentricHost NT includes database support, 10 custom e-mail boxes, unlimited e-mail forwarding, 40 MB of disk space, and 3 GB of monthly data transfer.
In addition to these small business managed server packages and shared NT Web hosting, Concentric offers a full range of enterprise-class hosting services, including managed servers and co-location services, load balancing, and multiple bandwidth options and other a la carte services can be assembled for the unique needs of high-end hosting customers.
About Concentric Network Corporation
Concentric Network, an operating unit of Nextlink Communications, is a global provider of leading data and Internet services. Together with Nextlink, the company offers local and long distance voice, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) access, Web hosting and e-commerce, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), dedicated access, global transit and application infrastructure services for delivering applications over the Internet or a VPN.
Nextlink has assembled an unrivaled set of facilities-based broadband networks that, when complete, will serve much of the United States, Canada and Europe. In the United States, Nextlink has more than 410,000 metro fiber miles in operation and a 384,000 fiber-mile inter-city network under construction. The Company is also North Americaís largest holder of fixed broadband wireless spectrum, with licenses covering 95 percent of the population of the 30 largest U.S. cities and a partnership with licenses covering all of the top cities in Canada. Nextlink has also acquired more than 80,000 metro fiber miles in Europe to serve the London, Frankfurt, Brussels, Amsterdam and Paris markets. Additionally, Nextlink acquired an 88,000 pan-European fiber network connecting 21 major European cities and transatlantic capacity that will eventually expand to 10 Gbps.
Publicly traded Nextlink is headquartered in McLean, Virginia and Concentric is located in San Jose, California. For more information visit www.nextlink.com or www.concentric.net or contact Public Relations at publicrelations@concentric.com.
For more information contact:
Rachel Brant / XO Communications
Media and Industry Analysts
408-794-2119
