Datalight Introduces Sockets TCP/IP Embedded Internet Solution.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 1998--Datalight, a provider of system software, today announced Sockets, a TCP/IP stack for networking embedded systems.

Sockets complements Datalight's other system software product offerings to round out a total embedded Internet PC software solution.

While the volume of traditional desktop computers continues to grow, the embedded computer market has already outgrown the desktop market with volumes of 100 million in 1997. This volume is expected to grow to 300 million in the year 2000. International Data Corp. predicts that the number of embedded Internet devices will grow from less than 1 million units in 1997, to over 40 million in the year 2002. Embedding computers into devices such as industrial controllers, automobiles, medical equipment, data collection, and even vending machines has increased flexibility and safety while simultaneously reducing labor costs and errors due to human intervention. Allowing embedded devices to be linked and communicate important information is a crucial step in optimizing these improvements even further.

TCP/IP is a set of protocols used in sending and receiving data over a network or Internet. The protocols follow a five-layer model, known as a "stack", where each layer provides services to the next higher layer in the stack. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is responsible for establishing and maintaining a connection as well as ensuring that the data packets arrive in the correct order and error free. Internet Protocol (IP) receives data packets and sends them to the correct network address. If there is more than one route, IP also determines which is best.

Datalight Sockets can run as a Terminate Stay Resident (TSR) program for DOS or as a Winsock-compliant DLL Windows Application. The DOS version is a very compact 75K, most of which can be loaded into upper memory in the system, leaving more room for applications within the standard DOS 640K limitation. The TSR uses the same application interface as PC TCP from FTP Incorporated, long an industry standard. Sockets also has a simpler, user-friendly application interface, when it is not being used as a drop-in replacement for the more expensive and larger FTP solution.

Included with Sockets are both client and server solutions, making Sockets one of the most powerful TCP/IP embedded Internet solutions on the market. It is configurable as an IP router giving a wider range of options. Interface level support options include packet drivers for Ethernet, Token Ring and SLIP, as well as serial line support for SLIP, CSLIP and PPP.

Price and Availability

The Datalight Sockets Development Kit is now available from Datalight for $495. Run-time license fees are $10 each in quantities of 500 units and $6 each in quantities of 5,000.