Acorn Software Software Product Description SQUASH Squash is real-time data compression software that works exactly like a standard OpenVMS disk. Yet, Squash adds up to 750% [reported by customers in real applications] more disk capacity to your storage systems and is totally compatible with all OpenVMS applications. Squash compresses data automatically and continuously. Squash disk(s) appear to OpenVMS systems like a locally connected disk - all data stored on it is compressed automatically as it is written and decompressed as it is read. For speed and performance, Squash has a variable sized cache for quick reads; for further flexibility in technical and business requirements, compression levels are user-set in an easy-to-use menu driven interface. * Squash disks: speed and integrity * Squashed by how much? * Squash in-a-nutshell * Squash disks * Backup * Distribution media/documentation * Installation and configuration * Software requirements * Software licensing and kits * Software warranty * Ordering information * Software product services * Comparison against the competition Squash disks: speed and integrity Squash safeguards data during compression to ensure data integrity. A system crash cannot leave data partially compressed with invalid data structures. Here's how the Squash algorithm protects data: whenever data is written to a Squash disk, an uncompressed version of the data is allocated on disk and recorded there. Once the data is safely compressed and recorded, the uncompressed version space is reclaimed. Squash uses an internal variable-sized cache for quick data retrival and fast data compression. Data written to cache produces an immediate write to a Squash disk and data read from a Squash disk is automatically decompressed and delivered to the application. User control can be excersized over the cache size and algorithms. Caching bridges the need for rapid access and rapid searching of the cache, while also maintaining peak efficiency for uncompressed format temporary storage on disk. Squashed by how much? Object and executable files have compression ratios of 3.2 : 1 Text files have compression ratios of 2.2 : 1 Database files have compression ratios of 8.6 : 1 Squash uses disk space only when needed, resulting in large disk savings. Already compressed or encrypted data cannot be compressed efficiently enough to save at least one disk block and will be stored in an uncompressed format. Squash in-a-nutshell * True OpenVMS VAX and OpenVMS AXP disk emulation. * All OpenVMS disk functions: mount, dismount, shadowing, and striping. * 100% compatible with all OpenVMS applications. * Multiple compression levels for optimum system performance. * Safety-write feature for data integrity by protecting data while it is being compressed. * Variable-sized cache for quick access to information. * Supports OpenVMS backup operations. * Read-only version for free distribution * Adds up to 750% more disk capacity without buying more disks. * Supports hierarchical storage management (HSM) applications such as file migration. * Reduces capital equipment costs; extends the usage of current equipment. * Straightforward pricing provides cost-effective savings for VAX and AXP machines. Squash disks Acorn Squash disk appear local to either OpenVMS VAX or OpenVMS AXP: they can be used as hosts for other virtual disks, stripsets, shadowsets, or volume sets. A Squash disk is at least 4096 blocks and grows as more space is needed. Squash allocates approximately 2500 blocks of storage (enough to cover the cache plus a little working room) and extends the Squash disk-like file in 2048-block increments. Backup Backups of virtual disks work like backups of any VMS disk. Squash provides the additional option of backing up the compressed data, saving space and time. To facilitate data recovery in case of disaster, Acorn provides a read-only version of Squash which can be used to read Squash disks, but cannot write them. Writes are ignored as though they had taken place, but without altering the data. This version can be used anywhere and may be distributed freely so that offsite recovery of data from backups of compressed disk containers can be carried out. Distribution media/documentation Squash is distributed on 4mm, 8mm, TK50 tape cartidges, optical cartidges, FTP, Gopher, and WWW. Documentation, consisting of a user guide, is available both on-line and in printed versions. Installation and configuration Squash is provided as a VMSINSTAL kit. Configuring a Squash disk is menu-driven and can be done in minutes. To create a Squash disk, select the size of the disk, the index file space, the location, the mode of compression, and your Squash disk is ready to use. Other options include mounting a Squash disk at boot time, adjusting Squash cache size, and reporting on Squash disks. Software requirements OpenVMS/VAX version 5.4 or higher. OpenVMS/AXP version 1.0 or higher Software licensing and kits Squash V2.2-2 is available on the internet. Once installed and started, Squash is licensed for 45 days. After this 45-day trial period a permanent license to use Squash is issued after Acorn Software has received payment in full. This software is furnished under the licensing provisions of Acorn Software's Standard Terms and Conditions. For more information about licensing terms and policies, contact your local reseller or Acorn Software, Inc. Software warranty Warranty for this product is provided by Acorn Software, Inc. with the purchase of a permanent license for the product. Acorn Software offers a Standard Warranty for Squash. Purchase of this warranty is recommended and includes the right to new versions of the software product and conformance to the application Software Product Description (SPD) for one year. Squash purchased without the Standard Warranty is limited to a one year conformance to application SPD. Acorn Software Inc. will remedy any nonconformance reported during the first year of operation. ORDERING INFORMATION Software Licenses: SQL-*-V (OpenVMS VAX) SQL-*-A (OpenVMS AXP) Software Maintenance: SQM-*-V (OpenVMS VAX) SQM-*-A (OpenVMS AXP) * denotes variant fields. For additional information on available licenses, media, documentation, services, and warranty refer to the Squash Price List. SOFTWARE PRODUCT SERVICES A variety of service options are available from Acorn Software. For more information, contact your local reseller or Acorn Software, Inc. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Copyright (c) 1996 Acorn Software, Inc. All rights reserved