Data Connection Announces High Availability Framework for ATM and SS7 Software.

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 15, 1999--

Second generation High Availability Framework provides

fault tolerance for Data Connection's carrier-class

ATM, SS7 and VoIP communications products.

Data Connection Limited (DCL), today announced its new High Availability Framework.

This framework provides complete support for high availability networks integrated across all Data Connection's communications products and incorporates Data Connection's existing ATM fault tolerance software, which is already used in many ATM devices.

DCL's Fault Tolerance Manager (DC-FTM), first released in January 1998, replicates ATM signalling and routing databases to a back-up processor to support hot-swap on hardware failure and hot-software upgrades, while maintaining all active calls and parties and maintaining an up-to-date PNNI routing database.

"The key to reliable fault tolerance is to design it in from the beginning. We included this support in the signalling and PNNI routing components of DC-ATM from day one, and this foresight enabled us to be the first ATM software vendor to market with fault tolerant function, This, in turn, enabled OEMs using our technology to bring their fault tolerant products to market quickly", said John Palombo, Director of Data Connection's ATM Business Unit.

DCL's new High Availability Framework incorporates DC-FTM to provide a complete fault tolerant architecture for the entire range of Data Connection's communications products, including SS7, ATM and Voice over IP (VoIP). It extends the function of DC-FTM, taking individual components which have redundancy support designed in from the start, and integrates them into a managed system. Replication of all components and recovery from failure of any single component takes place transparently to the user, independent of which processor individual components are running on. User initiated changeover is also supported.

"True high-availability is a fundamental requirement in today's networks" said Colin Dancer, Director of Data Connection's Telecoms Business Unit. "The solutions provided by DC-FTM and the new High Availability Framework require minimal integration work to produce a full function fault tolerant system. This gives OEMs a head start in bringing their product to market, and allows them to concentrate precious development resource on other, value-add features."

DCL's High Availability Framework integrates seamlessly with Data Connection's full SS7 product range (ISUP, B- ISUP, MTP3, TCAP, SCCP, SAAL), gateway/Voice over IP software (DC-CallSwitch), and ATM product range (UNI, ILMI, multi-hierarchy PNNI, LANE (v1/v2), MPOA, Classical IP over ATM, Call Control, PVC and Soft PVC). Data Connection's communications products have been ported to a large number of operating systems including VxWorks, pSOS, Chorus, Nucleus, Solaris, HP-UX, Windows NT and other proprietary OSs. They have also been used on all common processors including i960, Motorola 860, PowerPC, Sparc, IDT and MIPS. Proprietary OSs and chipsets can be supported with minimal effort.

Data Connection Limited (DCL) is the leading independent developer and supplier of ATM, Conferencing, Messaging, Directory and SNA portable products. Customers include 3Com, Cabletron, Cisco, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, IBM Corp., Microsoft, Nortel and NCR. Data Connection is headquartered in London UK, with US offices in Virginia. It was founded in 1981 and is privately held. During each of the past 18 years its profits have exceeded 20% of revenue. Last year sales exceeded $24M, of which 90% were overseas, mostly in the US.

For information, contact John Palombo at [e-mail], phone [phone] or visit our Web site at http://www.datcon.co.uk/.