Panasonic and SUSE Linux, the international technology leader in open source operating system software, announced today that SUSE Linux 7.1 provides complete driver support for Panasonic 4.7GB DVD-RAM drives. With driver support for the drive, Linux users have low-cost, rewritable storage for feature-length videos, system back-up/recovery and multimedia applications as well as a 6x DVD reader and a 24x CD reader.
SUSE Linux 7.1 is a comprehensive collection of the best solutions on Linux today and includes the new Linux 2.4 kernal which provides increased USB support for personal computer users and enhanced scalability for network administrators. Two versions of the product are available: a Personal Edition for home and small office users, and an advanced Professional Edition for developers and network administrators. Both versions include the link Linux users need to take advantage of the many benefits that the Panasonic rewritable DVD offers. The Linux driver treats DVD-RAM media like any other removable hard drive media, allowing users to treat the DVD-RAM drive just as they would any other hard drive in Linux.
Easy to install, configure and use, SUSE Linux 7.1 Personal automatically detects and resizes window partitions during installation so users can quickly set up their sound cards, Internet access and support for peripherals such as the Panasonic DVD-RAM drives. In addition to including a complete office suite package, SUSE Personal version offers more than 700 open-source application packages, web browsing and email support and sophisticated image editing software.
SUSE Linux Professional is an enterprise-level package with more than 2,500 programs for servers, networking, security, cross-platform data exchange and multimedia applications. The new version incorporates comprehensive server support for databases, email, e-commerce, Web, ftp, and file servers, as well as library and logical volume management. The longevity and reliability of the removable DVD-RAM media, combined with its low storage cost, make it an excellent centralized storage solution for these high-volume applications.
The Panasonic DVD-RAM drive combines the ease of use and random access of a hard drive with transfer rates of up to 22.16Mb/sec and 95msec access times. Offering 4.7GB of fast, random access on a single-sided disc (9.4GB on the double-sided disc) and more than 100,000 overwrites for about $.005/MB, the drives are ideal for meeting the growing storage requirements of business and individuals that are enhancing their communication with digitized audio signals, 3-D graphics, animation, and high-resolution videos.
"SUSE is committed to bringing the advantages of Linux to a broader audience," said Roland Dyroff, SUSE Linux AG CEO. "Now that Linux is easier to use, application and support for peripherals such as the Panasonic DVD-RAM drive will play a key role in increasing its market share. With SUSE Linux," he continued, "Linux users can simply install the drive and take advantage of the many capabilities of the drive."
"SUSE has developed one of the most complete and most well-documented Linux distribution packages on the market," said Dana Berzin, DVD product manager at Panasonic Industrial Company's Global Computer Group. "We appreciate their efforts and are certain SUSE Linux will be instrumental in fueling the growth of rewritable DVD in the Linux market."
Pricing, Availability
SUSE Linux 7.1 is available now from SUSE web site and from software retailers worldwide. The Personal version has a suggested list price of $29.95 and includes three manuals and 60 days of installation support by fax or email. The Professional version lists for $69.95 and includes four manuals and 90 days of installation support.
Panasonic Industrial Company's 4.7GB OEM DVD-RAM drive is available as an internal drive with a SCSI-2 interface (model LF-D291N) or with an ATAPI interface (model LF-D211V). The Panasonic-branded internal drive, model LF-D201U, is available from Panasonic Digital Document Company (PDDC) and has an MSRP of $549. Double-sided 9.4GB DVD-RAM media, 4.7GB single-sided media and 4.7GB bare disc media, which are marketed under the Panasonic brand name, are also available from several other leading manufacturers. The 4.7GB bare disc DVD-RAM media can be played back on the latest Panasonic DVD-ROM drives, as well as Panasonic's new DVD Player and DVD Recorder.
About Novell
Novell, Inc. is a leading provider of information solutions that deliver secure identity management (Novell® Nsure™), Web application development (Novell exteNd™) and cross-platform networking services (Novell Nterprise™), all supported by strategic consulting and professional services (Novell NgageSM). Active in the open source community with its Ximian and SUSE Linux brands, Novell is firmly committed to open source and offers comprehensive Linux products and services for the enterprise, from the desktop to the server. Novell's vision of one Net - a world without information boundaries - helps customers realize the value of their information securely and economically. For more information, call Novell's Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4CRC (4272) or visit http://www.novell.com. Press should visit http://www.novell.com/pressroom.
Novell is a registered trademarks; Nsure, exteNd and Nteprise are trademarks; and Ngage is a service mark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. SUSE is a registered trademark of SUSE Linux AG. * All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.