Linksys Incorporates IBM Tivoli Data Protection Software into Linksys by Cisco Small Business Network Storage Portfolio

IRVINE, Calif. – April 17, 2008 – Linksys®, a Division of Cisco, the leading provider of VoIP, wireless and networking hardware for the consumer and small business environments, today entered into an agreement with IBM (NYSE: IBM) under which Linksys will incorporate IBM Tivoli Continuous Data Protection (CDP) for Files software into the Linksys by Cisco growing small business solutions product and services portfolio.  The Linksys by Cisco Continuous Data Protection for Files (LBACDP) solution is designed to deliver automatic data back-up and restore functionality to small business organizations, letting them focus on their businesses rather than IT-related administrative tasks. 

IBM Tivoli Continuous Data Protection for Files software is an integrated recovery solution that is designed to provide data protection in case of a corruption, user error, virus, or system failure. The IBM Tivoli software installs and configures in minutes, and runs invisibly in the background. It is part of a suite of products from IBM designed to protect data and help maintain the integrity of IT environments.

Mind Your Data, Protect Your Business

An industry study(1) by the analyst firm The Diffusion Group surveyed more than 1,000 small business organizations about their data storage habits and revealed that nearly half of them conducted manual back-ups based solely on habit, while only 4 to 5 percent relied on a continuous data software application. This figure is surprising considering the growing number of small businesses serving corporate or healthcare entities that are required to follow strict Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) or Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliances. 

The Linksys by Cisco solution is designed to automatically save files either instantaneously or at scheduled intervals set by the user, which relieves the burden of performing manual data back-ups and results in saved time, increased productivity and fewer storage challenges.

"Regardless of the size of the business, data storage, protection and security is incredibly important and should not be overlooked,” said David Tucker, vice president, Linksys Connected Office Business Organization. "Identifying the ideal data storage plan for any organization is an arduous task. The Linksys solution helps to remove that guesswork with a tested and proven solution, backed by a leading innovation from IBM, taking storage requirements off their plates so they can focus on their business.”

"We are expanding the market for IBM software products and technologies by making them key ingredients in a variety of products sold by other companies,” said Daren Hanson, director of IBM OEM software sales.  "More than ever, software has become the central nervous system for all kinds of consumer and business products. The Linksys CDP solution is an excellent example of how companies are finding new opportunities for tapping IBM's software portfolio -- whether it's for IBM storage software, collaboration tools, middleware or speech recognition technology in global positioning systems -- as a source of innovation through OEM agreements.”

Protecting Data is as Easy as Saying 3-15-25 The Linksys by Cisco solution is designed for quick and easy implementation into virtually any network storage setting. Once the back-up target is identified - whether it is an existing storage option or the preferred Linksys by Cisco Network Storage Systems (NSS) solution which offers up to a terabyte of storage, multiple performance features and competitive pricing - the Linksys product is designed to automatically run back-ups and save data to the specified target.

The CDP software solution will be available in three configurations capable of supporting organizations with a workforce of 3 (LBACDP03), 15 (LBACDP15) or 25 users (LBACDP25).  Once the software is loaded to the PC and mapped to the appropriate Network Attached Storage (NAS) device, the user simply designates what files will be saved on a continuous or scheduled basis.

Even if the workforce is mobile, the solution is designed to be able to support their storage protection needs by creating local backup copies that are then replicated to network storage when the user is connected. 

The CDP software suite has been developed with three levels of protection:

o     Continuous Protection: Provides a real-time data protection solution that instantaneously captures copies of files and sends them to a back-up target. The solution allows users to specify as many as three target backup/replication areas for high-priority files to help capture every save of a file when it occurs to help protect against corruption, file loss or system loss.

o     Scheduled Protection: Files and email transmissions that are protected via scheduling are copied to the remote storage area on a regular schedule. Should access to the storage not be available during the scheduled time, the CDP software will maintain an internal copy and backup files once a network connection is established.

o     Vaulted Protection: Vaulted files and folders cannot be modified or deleted, so this option should be reserved for information that won't change or be deleted.  These files are not backed-up since they are stored on the NAS.

Since every version of a file is saved continuously, a company's data can be protected from viruses, file corruption, accidental deletion or even data loss threats caused by natural disasters or power failure. With just a few clicks of a mouse, users can restore files that have been corrupted or accidentally deleted, back to any point in time -- adding multiple layers of defense against data loss. 

Pricing and Availability

The Linksys by Cisco Continuous Data Protection for Files software suite is available immediately through distribution, retailers, online resellers and Value Added Resellers (VARs). The estimated street price for the 3-users package (LBACDP03) is $149.99, 15-users package (LBACDP15) is $674.99 and 25-users package (LBACDP25) is $999.99.

The CDP software suite also complements the Linksys by Cisco Business Series of Network Storage Systems offering robust and competitive network attached storage (NAS) solutions for small businesses or workgroups in larger organizations.

The Linksys Edge

Linksys has elevated Business Series products to specifically appeal to small business owners, high growth industries or those organizations that merely want a robust solution that will continually perform. Linksys relies on channel and distribution partners to provide end-users with the solutions to help seamlessly integrate or create their own networking requirements.

The Linksys by Cisco Business Series of products, one component of the overall Cisco SMB offering, can provide an integrated approach to small business networking. Through training, support, and the largest product catalogue for networking, VoIP, storage and services, customers can find the solutions they require backed by the largest networking provider in the industry.

About Linksys

Founded in 1988, Linksys, a Division of Cisco Systems Inc., (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the recognized global leader in voice, Wireless and Ethernet networking for consumer, SOHO and small business users. Linksys is dedicated to making networking easy and affordable for its customers, offering innovative, award-winning products that seamlessly integrate with a variety of devices and applications.  Linksys provides award-winning product support to its customers.  For more information, visit www.linksys.com

About IBM

For more information about IBM Tivoli Continuous Data Protection for Files software, visit http://www-306.ibm.com/software/tivoli/products/. For more information about IBM's Software OEM Program, visit http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/info/partners/oem.html.