Dot Hill Innovation Improves Reliability and Performance in AssuredSAN SAS-Based Storage Systems

LONGMONT, Colo., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dot Hill Systems Corp. (Nasdaq: HILL), a leading provider of SAN storage solutions, today announced the latest addition to its patent portfolio, an innovation that delivers enhanced protection and performance in Dot Hill SAS-based AssuredSAN™ storage systems.

The 80th U.S. patent 8,074,105 is for a software/firmware invention designed to improve data availability and reliability by preventing potential intermittent failures caused by drive, cable or SAS expanders. By taking advantage of the dual-ported SAS expander's capability to provide two lines of data access, Dot Hill's firmware enables the expander to function as an intelligent switch rather than a hub, switching to the alternate data path to access the disk drives if a failure is detected.

The Dot Hill patent also improves performance over conventional SAS systems by providing each SAS controller with two independent paths to access each disk drive. Because the controller is free to operate over multiple data paths, write-performance and Dot Hill AssuredSnap™ snapshot performance are improved significantly.

"In the competitive storage industry, it is critical that we continue to find ways to differentiate our products with relevant innovations that significantly raise the bar for performance and reliability," said Jim Kuenzel, senior vice president of engineering at Dot Hill Systems. "This latest patent continues to further Dot Hill's legacy of designing affordable storage solutions for OEMs, channel partners and end-users that are increasingly faster, more reliable and easier to use."

About Dot Hill

Leveraging its proprietary Assured family of storage solutions, Dot Hill solves many of today's most challenging storage problems – helping IT to improve performance, increase availability, simplify operations, and reduce costs. Dot Hill's solutions combine breakthrough software with the industry's most flexible and extensive hardware platform and automated management to deliver best-in-class solutions. Headquartered in Longmont, Colo., Dot Hill has offices and/or representatives in China, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

For more information, visit us at www.dothill.com.

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Certain statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical fact are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements include the availability and performance of current or future Dot Hill product features based on the patented technology described in this press release, any competitive advantage that the patent and technology provide to Dot Hill, any positive effect on Dot Hill's financial results or increase in the value of Dot Hill as a company due to the patent or other intellectual property, and Dot Hill's ability to continue to receive patent protection on current or future technology. The risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: any unforeseen technological, intellectual property, supply or engineering issues, and changing customer preferences. However, there are many other risks not listed here that may affect the future business of Dot Hill, as well as the forward-looking statements contained herein. To learn about such risks and uncertainties, you should read the risk factors set forth in Dot Hill's public filings with the SEC, including the Forms 8-K, 10-K and 10-Q most recently filed by Dot Hill. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as the date on which they were made. Dot Hill undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect later events or circumstances.

Contact:
Steve Sturgeon
Lutz PR for Dot Hill
858-472-5669
[email protected]

Company Contact:
Ruth Macdonald
Marketing Communications Manager
303-845-3364
[email protected]

SOURCE Dot Hill Systems Corp.