Ariel Standardizes On IBM Server Platform For SS7-Enabled Remote Access System; IBM Netfinity 4500R Brings High Reliability To Rack Mount Network Access Systems.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

CRANBURY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2000

Ariel Corp. (NASDAQ:ADSP), a leading supplier of Linux and Windows NT network access solutions, Monday announced that it has standardized on IBM's Netfinity 4500R server for the RAS portion of BypaSS7, Ariel's SS7-enabled network access system.

The IBM system, when equipped with Ariel's RS4200 56K/ISDN network access cards, can accommodate up to 192 remote access sessions originating from any combination of V.90-compatible modem or 64-kbps basic rate ISDN customer premises equipment.

"Netfinity servers equipped with RS4200 cards, together with our SS7 gateway, provide a rock solid platform for building scaleable, high-density, high-availability SS7-enabled network access systems," said Carlos Borgialli, vice president of engineering at Ariel. "Its slim, rack mount, 3U packaging makes it ideal for deploying high-density 56K/ISDN systems that can be readily scaled from 96 ports to thousands of ports. And its dual power supplies, seven cooling fans, hot pluggable components, excellent cable management, and front panel access make it ideal for building high-availability systems that can be serviced on line."

"It takes great technology to ensure that today's e-business infrastructure is delivering the right level of performance at an affordable price. Nowhere is this more evident than in the demands of today's densely packed data centers, where space is at a premium and high availability is a baseline requirement," said IBM's Jim Gargan, Director of strategy and product marketing for Netfinity. "Together, IBM's Netfinity 4500R and Ariel's network access products deliver a high customer value."

BypaSS7 is a revolutionary SS7-enabled network access system that enhances network efficiency and slashes equipment costs by allowing carriers to provide Internet access without tying up end-office class 5 switches. The system bypasses the end office switch by enabling carriers to connect ISPs to the PSTN via Inter Machine Trunks (IMTs) rather than PRIs. This approach frees up voice ports and enables carriers to expand their ISP business without purchasing new switches.

BypaSS7 combines one or more network access servers (NAS) with an SS7 signaling gateway (SSG). The NAS is a Linux-based Netfinity server that receives 56K and Basic Rate ISDN (BRI) subscriber calls from the PSTN via IMTs. The SSG, based on a telco-grade Sun Netra server running the Solaris operating system, uses signaling information from the SS7 network to terminate V.90 and ISDN subscriber calls destined for the NAS. The SSG can handle 115 calls per second or 414,000 BHCAs, which enables it to support up to 10,752 (16 DS3s) NAS ports.

IBM's Netfinity 4500R is a rack-mountable, 3U, Pentium III-based PCI bus server. Available with one or two Pentium III processors running at speeds of up to 933 MHz, Netfinity provides up to 4 Gbytes of SDRAM main memory, 256 kbytes of L2 cache per processor, a 109-Gbyte Ultra160 SCSI hard disk, and a 10/100 Ethernet interface. The system also provides five PCI I/O slots, seven bays (including three slim-line hot-plug bays), a 270W, hot-pluggable, power supply (second redundant supply optional), seven redundant, hot-pluggable cooling fans, and optional ServeRAID support. I/O support includes two serial ports, a parallel port, a USB port, and keyboard/mouse ports. Netfinity runs a variety of popular operating systems, including Linux, Windows NT, Windows 2000, SCO UnixWare, NetWare, and Citrix WinFrame.

Pricing for a Netfinity 4500R system equipped with one 96-port RS4200 starts at under $13,000. Pricing for the BypaSS7 system pricing starts at under $200,000. The system will be available for shipment in October 2000.

More on Ariel

Ariel Corp. is a leading provider of high-density, SS7-enabled dial-up access equipment for applications such as Internet access, corporate Intranet/Extranet access, on-line services, telecommuting, transaction processing and unified messaging. Ariel's dial-up access concentrator products make it easy for ISPs and OEMs targeting ISPs and other service providers to create high-density dial-up solutions using open systems platforms running a variety of popular operating systems, including Windows NT and Linux.

Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including market acceptance of the company's products by technical original equipment manufacturers and internet service providers, the timely development and acceptance of new products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, changing market conditions and the other risks detailed from time to time in the company's filings with the SEC. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or currently expected. These forward looking statements represent the company's judgment as of the date of this release.

The company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward looking statements.