Snap Transforms NAS Into Java Servers

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November 14, 2000 (6:08 AM EST)

By Mark Hachman,

On Tuesday, Snap Appliances will formally announce plans to transform its NAS servers into specialized Java appliances.

Snap Appliances Inc., San Jose, Calif., will work with Insignia Solutions PLC (stock: INSGY) to port Insignia's Jeode Java virtual machine to Snap's 4100 server beginning in the first quarter of 2001.

To date, Snap has marketed its products as replacements for Windows NT file servers, according to Andrew Meyer, a product manager at Snap. The high-end Snap 4100 ships with options for either 120 Gbytes or 240 Gbytes of storage in a 1U form factor, priced at $2,499 for the 240-Gbyte model.

However, since Snap announced plans to spin off from disk-drive maker Quantum Corp. (stock: HDD) about two weeks ago, the appliance manufacturer has sought other ways to differentiate itself from its competition. At the time of the IPO, Quantum will own approximately 80 percent of the stock, then distribute the balance to shareholders six months later pending approval by the company's board.

"By placing the Jeode virtual machine on our server, it allows anyone in this room to write a customized application and integrate it into our product," Meyer said.

Snap is working with two additional partners, PointBase Inc. and Keystone Learning Systems, to add additional functionality. PointBase, a pure Java RDBMS and data management vendor, will provide a Java-based database, and Keystone will include its self-paced Java software instruction on the Snap Server.

Snap also announced a developer's program, with discounts on hardware and software and free technical support.