 Acorn Software   Software Product Description   SQUASH  H Squash is real-time data compression software that works exactly like a @ standard OpenVMS disk. Yet, Squash adds up to 750% [reported by C customers in real applications] more disk capacity to your storage  H systems and is totally compatible with all OpenVMS applications. Squash 0 compresses data automatically and continuously. I Squash disk(s) appear to OpenVMS systems like a locally connected disk -  G all data stored on it is compressed automatically as it is written and  D decompressed as it is read. For speed and performance, Squash has a A variable sized cache for quick reads; for further flexibility in  H 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     F Squash safeguards data during compression to ensure data integrity. A F system crash cannot leave data partially compressed with invalid data I structures. Here's how the Squash algorithm protects data: whenever data  D is written to a Squash disk, an uncompressed version of the data is I allocated on disk and recorded there. Once the data is safely compressed  G and recorded, the uncompressed version space is reclaimed. Squash uses  G an internal variable-sized cache for quick data retrival and fast data  D compression. Data written to cache produces an immediate write to a > Squash disk and data read from a Squash disk is automatically C decompressed and delivered to the application. User control can be  / excersized over the cache size and algorithms.  E Caching bridges the need for rapid access and rapid searching of the  F cache, while also maintaining peak efficiency for uncompressed format  temporary storage on disk.     Squashed by how much?     D Object and executable files have compression ratios of 3.2 : 1 Text I files have compression ratios of 2.2 : 1 Database files have compression   ratios of 8.6 : 1 A Squash uses disk space only when needed, resulting in large disk  C savings. Already compressed or encrypted data cannot be compressed  I efficiently enough to save at least one disk block and will be stored in   an uncompressed format.    Squash in-a-nutshell  5   *	True OpenVMS VAX and OpenVMS AXP disk emulation.  J   *	All OpenVMS disk functions: mount, dismount, shadowing, and striping. 3   *	100% compatible with all OpenVMS applications.  @   *	Multiple compression levels for optimum system performance. K   *	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 B   *	Adds up to 750% more disk capacity without buying more disks. M   *	Supports hierarchical storage management (HSM) applications such as file   	migration. M   *	Reduces capital equipment costs; extends the usage of current equipment.  L   *	Straightforward pricing provides cost-effective savings for VAX and AXP  	machines.       Squash disks    E 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. I A Squash disk is at least 4096 blocks and grows as more space is needed.  G Squash allocates approximately 2500 blocks of storage (enough to cover  G the cache plus a little working room) and extends the Squash disk-like   file in 2048-block increments.     Backup    C Backups of virtual disks work like backups of any VMS disk. Squash  I provides the additional option of backing up the compressed data, saving  G space and time. To facilitate data recovery in case of disaster, Acorn  H provides a read-only version of Squash which can be used to read Squash D disks, but cannot write them. Writes are ignored as though they had E taken place, but without altering the data. This version can be used  H 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 E cartidges, FTP, Gopher, and WWW. Documentation, consisting of a user  : guide, is available both on-line and in printed versions.    Installation and configuration    D Squash is provided as a VMSINSTAL kit. Configuring a Squash disk is H menu-driven and can be done in minutes. To create a Squash disk, select F the size of the disk, the index file space, the location, the mode of I compression, and your Squash disk is ready to use. Other options include  F mounting a Squash disk at boot time, adjusting Squash cache size, and  reporting on Squash disks.     Software requirements     E OpenVMS/VAX version 5.4 or higher. OpenVMS/AXP version 1.0 or higher     Software licensing and kits     H Squash V2.2-2 is available on the internet. Once installed and started, A Squash is licensed for 45 days. After this 45-day trial period a  C permanent license to use Squash is issued after Acorn Software has  I received payment in full. This software is furnished under the licensing  G provisions of Acorn Software's Standard Terms and Conditions. For more  C information about licensing terms and policies, contact your local  ! reseller or Acorn Software, Inc.     Software warranty     G Warranty for this product is provided by Acorn Software, Inc. with the  1 purchase of a permanent license for the product.  G Acorn Software offers a Standard Warranty for Squash. Purchase of this  F warranty is recommended and includes the right to new versions of the E software product and conformance to the application Software Product    Description (SPD) for one year. H Squash purchased without the Standard Warranty is limited to a one year D 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)     B * denotes variant fields. For additional information on available D licenses, media, documentation, services, and warranty refer to the  Squash Price List.     SOFTWARE PRODUCT SERVICES     I A variety of service options are available from Acorn Software. For more  @ information, contact your local reseller or Acorn Software, Inc.    H ------------------------------------------------------------------------  < Copyright (c) 1996 Acorn Software, Inc. All rights reserved 