ACC Delivers On ISDN Commitment With New Hardware and Software Product Offerings; New Dual BRI Card Allows Users To Aggregate Multiple ISDN Connections into a Central Site Router While Software Enhancements Make More efficient Use of ISDN Links.

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 23, 1995--Advanced Computer Communications Inc., (ACC) today expanded its solutions for users implementing ISDN connectivity.

As a leader in providing cost effective solutions for the interconnection of remote offices, ACC's products will now include regional office and corporate headquarters routers that will serve as hubs to link the growing number of remote sites that need medium to high levels of ISDN concentration. The additions to the ACC router line include:

-- Amazon product line is extended to include Basic Rate Interface card option

-- Software enhancements to ACC's product line to support National ISDN-1 and other bandwidth optimization features

"ACC has recognized that an explosion is occurring in the ISDN market which has been fueled by the increasing demand for Internet access. With this announcement, we are showing our commitment to our customers who want cost effective products which meet the demands of this burgeoning market," said Gary Krall, Vice-President of marketing. "ACC's ISDN strategy offers a clear path for all end users who want to migrate into this market while protecting their existing investment in ACC equipment and providing a cost-effective migration to ISDN over time."

Dual BRI Module "hubs" Multiple Remote Sites Into a Central Site

The ISDN Dual Basic Rate Interface Module for ACC's popular Amazon product supports two separate physical ISDN Basic Rate Interfaces (BRI) which provide four 64-kbps B channels. All Amazon's can support up to 3 Dual BRI modules, allowing up to 12 simultaneous 'B' Channel connections. This new product form the next stage of ACC's scalable ISDN offering that ranges from the small office/home office to corporate headquarters.

The Dual BRI card utilizes the same interface design and basic rate ISDN software that is currently employed in the BRI cards residing in ACC's Danube and Nile multiprotocol branch office bridge/routers. The Dual BRI rounds out the Amazons comprehensive list of connectivity options and provides ACC customers another avenue of expansion into the ISDN wide area marketplace.

Each individual 'B' Channel can take advantage of ACC's exclusive Bandwidth Optimization features, including Dial on Demand, Dial on Congestion, Dial Backup, Express Queuing, and data compression. Each ISDN interface is supported by a microprocessor which off loads the main processor from call setup and data compression duties which normally slow down interface performance.

When using ACC's data compression, data throughput can be improved by an aggregate factor of 4:1 on interfaces up to 64Kbps, which not only reduces WAN connectivity charges but often offsets the need to move to a higher speed WAN connection. And when used in conjunction with PPP Authentication Protocol (PAP) a higher level of dial security can be utilized.

"The Dual Basic Rate Interface card offers Amazon customers a way to expand into the ISDN market, while still maintaining the benefits of ACC's exclusive bandwidth optimization features," said Krall. "These software features, when combined with the low price point the dual BRI is being offered at, gives ACC customers a robust ISDN implementation at the lowest cost per ISDN port on the market."

Customers can add ISDN support to ACC's Amazon regional access routers with the Dual-BRI interface module priced at US$1995 and is available for production deliveries immediately.

ISDN Software Extensions deliver greater functionality at reduced costs

The backbone of ACC's ISDN solutions is the exclusive bandwidth optimization software which is implemented on every router ACC produces. This software provides the intelligence that ensure that ISDN is used as cost effectively and efficiently as possible in all application areas. Complementing the dual BRI announcement, ACC has added several features which will further optimize ISDN connectivity. These added features include:

--IPX Spoofing. Regular polls and updates between ISDN stations linked across a wide area network often keep ISDN links up when not necessary. Because IPX is a very "chatty" protocol, it is more difficult to run efficiently over ISDN links. Since ISDN charges are based on connect time, this often leads to unnecessary charges for wide area links. To avoid these unnecessary line charges, ACC has implemented spoofing of IPX polls and updates. ISDN traffic i then shipped over the IPX link without impediment and void of excessive line charges.

--National ISDN-1 compatibility. ACC, recognizing the growing demand for cost-effective ISDN solutions in North America marketplace, has implemented support for National ISDN-1. National ISDN-1, a signaling specification proposed by Bellcore that has emerged as a de facto industry standard for North America, is now available on ACC multiprotocol bridge/routers. Support will be provided concurrently with the other ISDN signaling schemes ACC already supports for Japan, France, UK, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

--Bandwidth on Demand. ACC's routers with ISDN capability support multiple simultaneous B-channel calls to a single destination. This provides additional dialup bandwidth for applications such as Mosaic and other Internet related functions. This is done dynamically within the router on a required basis and is tied to ACC's unique Express Queuing technology for optimal application bandwidth allocation.

--ISDN Subaddressing. This feature allows for the ability to configure ISDN subaddresses so that calls can only be placed and received on specific subaddresses which is particularly useful in ISDN multidrop configurations.

--Calling Line Identification. Using Calling Line Identification, ACC router look at the ISDN number of a calling device and compare it to its list of previously known callers. If the number is not on the list, the call is rejected and no charges are incurred by the calling party. This feature can be used alone or in conjunction with PPP Authentication Protocol (PAP).

Price and Availability

These enhanced software features will be available in 30 days and will be included with all new ACC bridge/router shipments. Customers who currently have a maintenance contract with ACC will receive this software free of charge. Customers who do not have a maintenance contract will be charged a nominal upgrade fee.

About ACC

ACC is a leading manufacturer of wide-area internetworking products that provide cost-effective interconnection and management of geographically distributed computer networks. ACC leads the industry in the development of Bandwidth Optimization technologies to maximize the utilization of leased line and switched services. ACC's products are sold world-wide through 80 leading international VARs and OEMs serving corporate and business customers, educational institutions, health care, retail establishments, governments, an PTTs.

ACC products support all popular ISDN signaling schemes and are certified for ISDN operation in upwards of 10 countries worldwide.

Advanced Computer Communications is headquartered at 10261 Bubb Road, Cupertino, CA 95014; telephone: [phone]; FAX: [phone]; Internet World Wide Web URL: http://www.acc.com ; Internet Mail: [e-mail]

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Note to Editors: Danube, Nile, and Amazon are trademarks of Advanced Computer Communications. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Advanced Computer Communications

Trish Voskovitch, Rich Black, 408/366-9600