For Immediate Release

Contact:

     Christa B. Benjamin 
     Bowen Public Relations, Inc.
     (603) 766-6793; phone
     (603) 512-1674; cell
     cbenjamin@bowenpublicrelations.com 

     Dirk A. D. Smith, President
     Alexander LAN, Inc
     (603) 880-8800; phone
     (603) 930-8803; cell
     dirk@alexander.com
 
 
Alexander LAN, Inc. announces the First Windows System Protection Kit 
 
Alexander SPK 5 for Windows automatically reports Windows XP/2000/NT crash causes eliminating the need for the “Blue Screen of Death”
 
 
Nashua, NH, March 18, 2002 –Alexander LAN, Inc., the leading provider of crash management software for the NetWare environment, today announced the industry’s first Windows solution. Based on Alexander SPK (System Protection Kit) for NetWare, the Alexander SPK 5 for Windows automatically reports the cause of Windows XP/2000/NT crashes. Unlike traditional, cryptic methods of diagnostics such as memory dumps and the “Blue Screen of Death,” the SPK reports in easy to understand language formatted in Windows screens that simplify crash resolution for systems administrators of both large and small environments.
 
The SPK’s fully automated crash management operation reduces the need for highly paid systems administrators to visit remote machines in order to recover the network. Instant notification of the crash to the IT staff via SNMP traps or an email alert ensures that crash resolution begins quickly, preventing further costly network downtime. The Windows-based crash reports generated by the SPK make data interpretation easy and crash resolution simpler by pinpointing the crash cause. This allows  the system administrator to resolve the crash, preventing a recurrence, instead of simply restarting the sever and worrying when it will happen again. Crash resolution after the first occurrence eliminates dozens of costly repeat crashes.
 
“Finally we have a way to troubleshoot our windows NT and 2000 servers after the crash, rather than just doing a reboot, crossing our fingers and hoping for the best,” says Steven R. Snyder, CTO of SRS Associates, Inc. “With the Windows SPK we have the ability to resolve the problem, just like we’ve had for NetWare for years.”
 
How SPK 5 for Windows Works
When the Windows OS crashes, the SPK Capture module ensures that a memory dump is stored to the hard drive and the system is automatically restarted. As the system restarts, the Capture module reports to the SPK Center. The Center distills the raw memory dump data, retaining only the data needed for diagnostics. The SPK then connects with Microsoft, matching the exact OS version and retrieves the precise symbol tables (signs or task descriptions indicating the purpose of the code found at that RAM location) crucial for accurate crash analysis.
 
Once a comprehensive crash report is created, the SPK reports to the Systems Administrator (s) via SNMP traps and email. The SNMP traps can be used to integrate with industry leading management and alert consoles such as Compaq Insight Manager, IBM Tivoli and Atlantis NotificationWorks. With the system back up the administrator can check the crash report by selecting the machine from the list on the SPK Manager screen and take immediate corrective action, forestalling repeat crashes.
 
“We decided to bring the same peace of mind to Windows systems administrators that we brought to the NetWare world years ago,” said Dirk A.D. Smith, President, Alexander LAN. “Systems Administrators are charged with setting up, managing, and troubleshooting servers and PCs. When a system fails, they have to act instantly. The problem is that they are not normally trained to interpret memory dumps or use debuggers. Those who are have little time to spare with such an awkward process. The fact that they typically handle many machines further complicates their days. The Alexander SPK handles it all for them automatically.”

Pricing and Shipping
The Alexander SPK 5 for Windows supports Windows XP/2000/NT. Support includes both servers and workstations. The base kit includes licenses for one SPK Manager Console, one SPK Capture module for a server, five SPK Capture modules for attached workstations, and as many SPK Center modules as is needed. Pricing for the base kit is $499. Additional management consoles, server licenses and workstation licenses can be purchased separately and added to the kit. Alexander SPK 5 for Windows begins shipping April 29, 2002.

About Alexander LAN, Inc. 
Alexander LAN, Inc.Ō is the leading provider of software to manage and resolve crashes on Windows and NetWare servers and Windows PCs. The Alexander SPKŌ (System Protection Kit) is used by large and small companies and government agencies worldwide that depend upon the cost-saving benefits realized by increasing enterprise network uptime. To learn more about the company and its technology, please visit www.alexander.com. Alexander LAN, Inc. is headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire.

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