Ariel's PowerPOP Architecture Transforms ISP Infrastructure; Linux and Windows NT PowerPOPs Consolidate Dedicated Servers and Enhance POP Intelligence.

BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 1999--

Ariel Corp. (Nasdaq:ADSP) today announced the PowerPOP(TM) architecture, a revolutionary new way of building and scaling Internet Service Provider (ISP) infrastructure.

The new PowerPOP architecture, which utilizes open systems platforms running Windows NT and Linux, enables ISPs to reduce equipment cost while increasing flexibility, efficiency and scaleability. ISPs can use the PowerPOP architecture to build internal infrastructure, or to offer corporate customers a platform for building their own virtual private networks (VPNs).

The PowerPOP architecture provides an alternative to the dedicated servers and dumb remote access concentrators that ISPs currently use to build network operations centers (NOCs) and add new points of presence (POPs). The baseline PowerPOP platform combines a PC running Linux or Windows NT with one or more high-density Ariel RS2000 remote access plug-in cards, a LAN card and a router. To this base platform, ISPs can add Linux- or Windows NT-based software components such as authentication, DNS, email, FTP, Web servers, Web caching, news group support and backup.

PowerPOP systems are ideal for ISPs who want to improve network performance and efficiency by adding intelligent POPs that can operate with greater autonomy. For example, by adding DNS caching to their POPs, ISPs can reduce DNS traffic between the POP and the NOC, thereby improving response time, enhancing T1 utilization, and improving profitability. This is on top of the 35% bandwidth savings that are achieved by leveraging data compression facilities built into Windows NT.

PowerPOP systems are also ideal for new ISPs who want to reduce up-front NOC equipment costs. With a PowerPOP system, ISPs can consolidate NOC functions and services like DNS, authentication, Web hosting, FTP, email, caching, and backup onto a single Linux or Windows NT system. Later, when ISPs need to increase capacity or deploy new services, they can do so by simply adding more PowerPOP systems.

"ISPs have traditionally used dumb remote access concentrators to add new points of presence," explained Dennis Schneider, senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Ariel. "By replacing dedicated remote access systems with PC-based PowerPOPs running Windows NT or Linux, ISPs can slash remote access equipment costs and equip their POPs with added functionality that boosts performance and enhances network efficiency."

Added Brad Baldwin, an analyst at IDC, "Open-architecture remote access solutions give start-up and fast-growing ISPs a flexible, low-cost way to build infrastructure and add new POPs. We expect Linux and Windows NT systems equipped with add-in cards like Ariel's RS2000 to provide powerful competition for the proprietary systems offered by traditional hardware-based remote access suppliers."

PowerPOPs are easy to build because they leverage remote access and other ISP facilities that are either integrated with Linux and Windows NT, or are available as third-party plug-ins. Windows NT server, for example, comes with built-in RRAS (Routing and Remote Access) services such as authentication, security, multiprotocol routing, multi-channel aggregation, and remote management that greatly simplify RAS deployment. In addition, Microsoft and its partners offer ISP components such as Web, DNS, and email servers that work out of the box with Windows NT.

Out-of-the-box PowerPOP solutions are also available for Linux. Red Hat Software, for example, offers a pre-integrated software bundle that includes the Linux kernel, authentication, the BIND (Berkeley Internet Name Domain) DNS server, and Apache Web server. As an added bonus, this bundle is available royalty free, a big win for start-up ISPs and fast-growing ISPs who are trying to control equipment costs.

"We're pleased to have Ariel on board with Red Hat Linux," said Paul McNamara, vice president of business development at Red Hat software. "Ariel's PowerPOP architecture and high-density remote access products are ideal for building intelligent, high-availability, Linux-based points of presence for ISPs that minimize cost of ownership, enhance flexibility, and maximize network efficiency."

Ariel's RS2000 gives Linux and Windows NT PowerPOP systems the physical connections required for remote dial-in and LAN dial-out. Combining dual T1/PRI interfaces with 24 V.90 modems on a single PCI card, the RS2000 lets ISPs build intelligent POPs that are up to 50% less expensive than dedicated remote access concentrators.

One of the RS2000's PRI/T1 interfaces, together with the board's 24 modems, can accommodate up to 24 remote access sessions originating from any combination of digital V.90-compatible 56-kbps, analog 33.6-kbps, or 64-kbps basic rate ISDN customer premises equipment. The second T1/PRI interface can be used to support an additional 23 BRI sessions, or to provide back-haul to the Internet, the PSTN, or a private network.

The RS2000 is available immediately from Ariel for a list price of $6995. Special ISP discounts are available through June 30.

More on Ariel

Ariel Corp. (Nasdaq:ADSP) is leading provider of high-density remote access plug-in cards for applications such as Internet access, corporate Intranet/Extranet access, on-line services, telecommuting, transaction processing, and unified messaging. Ariel's remote access products make it easy for OEMs and system integrators targeting ISPs, corporate enterprises and other service providers to add high-density remote access to open systems platforms running a variety of popular operating systems, including Windows NT and Linux.

Ariel's high-density remote access cards provide V.34, V.90-compatible 56K, and basic rate ISDN remote dial-in, LAN dial-out, and Internet back-haul. Available in ISA, PCI and CompactPCI formats, the cards connect to T1, E1, ISDN, and POTS lines. Ariel's remote access products run Windows NT and Linux out of the box. An SDK is available for OEMs who want to use Ariel's remote access products with other operating systems.

For more information on Ariel products, please contact Ariel Corp. at 2540 Route 130, Cranbury, NJ 08512. Phone [phone]. Fax [phone]. Email: [e-mail]. World Wide Web: www.ariel.com.

PowerPOP, RS2000, and Ariel are trademarks of Ariel Corp. LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. RED HAT is a registered trademark of Red Hat Software Inc.