Ariel Access Architecture Paves Way For High-Density Multi-Capability PCI Computer Telephony Products.

CRANBURY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 6, 1999--

Slashes Development Cost and Complexity for New Multi-Mode Devices

Integrating WAN, Modem, and Internet Telephony 

Ariel Corporation (Nasdaq:ADSP), a leading supplier of open systems remote access solutions for ISPs and Technical OEMs, today announced a new access architecture that simplifies the design, integration and upgrade of multi-function PCI and CompactPCI cards.

Known as the Ariel Access Architecture (AAA), this new virtual-slot technology overcomes traditional PCI limitations, enabling OEMs to take full advantage of multi-mode devices that combine diverse functions such as line card interfaces, modems, Internet telephony, and call control.

"Traditional access architectures are barely adequate for supporting multiple communications functions on a single card," remarked Dennis Schneider, senior vice president of worldwide marketing for Ariel. "They're completely inadequate for supporting multi-mode devices, which are the key to building high-density, multi-function servers and gateways for applications like Internet telephony. AAA defines a new architecture for developing modular, upgradeable, multi-capability driver sets that makes it easy for OEMs to take full advantage of new and emerging multi-mode capabilities."

AAA leverages patent-pending PCI bridge, API, and firmware designs that virtualize the connection between host drivers and on-board functions, whether integrated on a single device or spread across multiple devices.

Traditional PCI access architectures create tremendous complexity for developers of high-density products because they impose one-to-one mapping between host drivers and physical devices. As a result, OEMs who want to take advantage of multiple capabilities on a single device have a choice. They can write a monolithic driver that supports multiple capabilities. Or they can write multiple drivers, together with management software and a scheduler that arbitrates access to the device among multiple drivers.

Both techniques are error prone, difficult to implement and debug, and even more difficult to upgrade -- all of which contribute to significant increases in development time and cost.

AAA eliminates the need to write complex monolithic drivers and arbitration software by creating a virtual link between host drivers and physical devices that enables multiple drivers to be mapped to the same physical device. With AAA, host drivers are linked with logical access functions, not the physical devices that implement those functions. Board-level firmware handles the mapping of functions to physical devices, whether single- or multi-mode.

AAA's modular, object-oriented architecture enables OEMs to deploy OS-independent network access platforms that can be quickly upgraded to support new capabilities without the need for complex host drivers that slow development and reduce quality. With AAA, designers can write separate, independent driver modules for each capability (i.e., call control, modem pool, T1/PRI, X.25, Frame Relay, VoIP, Fax over IP) provided on the card, regardless of how that function is implemented in hardware (dedicated or multi-mode device).

AAA's approach also enables Ariel to provide host APIs that remain stable across multiple generations of hardware products. To upgrade an existing module or support a new function or mode, designers need only make changes to the module associated with that function/mode. Once an AAA driver module has been developed, it can be reused without modification on any AAA-compliant board providing that capability. This enables OEMs to use new AAA hardware in deployed products without having to rewrite and re-release drivers.

"The benefits of AAA will become crystal clear as new multi-capability network access cards incorporate evolving media processing functions such as Internet fax and voice," added John Lynch, Ariel's chief technology officer. "Upgrading drivers to support fast-changing technologies like Internet voice and fax can be a nightmare, particularly when everything must pass through a single driver. AAA's modular driver architecture makes it easy to add and maintain new technologies like Internet telephony as standards evolve without compromising existing driver investments."

The first deployment of AAA will come in Q4 this year when Ariel launches a new family of multi-capability network access products. Ariel is currently briefing technical OEMs on the AAA architecture under non-disclosure.

More on Ariel

Ariel Corp. is a 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, N.J. 08512. Phone [phone]. Fax [phone]. Email: [e-mail]. World Wide Web: www.ariel.com.