Coastcom's AIM -- Advanced Intelligent Multiplexer to Be Released at ComNet, San Francisco.

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 25, 1998--Coastcom, a leading manufacturer of Telecommunications equipment, will launch its AIM(R) -- Advanced Intelligent Multiplexer at the upcoming ComNet San Francisco show, Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 1998; booth number 1114.

AIM is a next-generation multiservice access concentrator for integrated access to Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM) and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networks.

AIM provides a highly resilient, cost-effective solution for today's broadband needs as well as a transition vehicle to tomorrow's technologies. AIM offers carrier-class access and integrates voice/data services with up to 124 T1s and E1s. AIM also supports multiple T3s as an M13 multiplexer, or T1/T3 "drop-and-insert," and digital cross-connect.

With superior scalability, high port density, multiple levels of redundancy, and flexible bandwidth allocation, AIM supports diverse customer traffic while protecting your communications investment.

Combined with Coastcom's user-friendly AIM-Net graphical interface, AIM users can remotely build and verify voice/data connections with point-and-click ease. AIM-Net is a Windows-based software program that handles routing, cross connections, node configuration, and design of AIM networks.

"We've designed AIM-Net to be intuitive and comprehensive. Users can easily assign feature cards to various AIM nodes and designate cross connections," said Keith Cambron, Coastcom's director of engineering and AIM-Net's designer. AIM-Net features full network-management compatibility with SNMP-based network management systems, and it can export equipment and circuit inventories to any database program compliant with open database connectivity (ODBC). -0-

Specifically, AIM-Net allows AIM users to:

--   design networks incorporating AIM nodes
--   add/delete nodes from their network
--   add/delete links between network nodes
--   rearrange their network's configuration
--   add/delete feature cards from nodes
--   configure feature cards
--   assign/verify cross connections
--   validate and map their network
--   electronically transfer a network configuration to Coastcom for a
     quote and shipment date.

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AIM-Net's intuitiveness comes from its graphical user interface (GUI), which features a split-window design and drop-down menus. AIM users can obtain network and node information by looking at one of the four adjustable windows on their screen.

"AIM-Net is so easy to use that it quickly appeals to veteran telecommunications managers as well as novices," said Jim Dougherty, Coastcom's director of product management.

Coastcom develops, manufactures, and markets telecommunications equipment designed to leverage existing T1 networks and take advantage of emerging public network services. Its list of customers include interexchange carriers, regional Bell operating companies, independent telephone companies, federal and state government, as well as a wide range of private network users.

The company, registered under ISO 9001, is located at 1151 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, CA, 94502. For more information about AIM and other Coastcom products, visit our Web site at http://www.coastcom.com, or contact Frank Falcon at 510/523-6606 ext. 383, or at [e-mail].

Note to Editors: Coastcom, AIM, and D/I MUX III are trademarks of Coastcom.

    CONTACT: Coastcom
              Frank Falcon, 510/523-6606 ext. 383