Diamond Multimedia's FirePort SCSI Host Adapter Series Certified by Novell.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 1997--

FirePort 20, FirePort 40 and FirePort 40 Dual All Receive "Novell

YES Tested and Approved" Certification

Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:DIMD), a leader in Internet multimedia acceleration, today announced that its FirePort line of PCI-based SCSI host adapters have received "Novell YES Tested and Approved" product certification from Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ:NOVL).

Diamond's FirePort SCSI adapters are certified for use with the Novell NetWare v3.12 and IntranetWare operating systems. The specific FirePort product configurations and their associated Novell certified drivers are listed on Novell's DeveloperNet at http://developer.novell.com/prodcert .

"Novell's NetWare and IntranetWare are widely used client-server network operating systems," said Ken Comstock, general manager for Diamond Multimedia's SCSI product line. "The I/O performance of Netware-based servers and desktops systems in the corporate environment can be significantly enhanced with the addition of a FirePort SCSI host adapter. "

"The I/O speed of Diamond Multimedia's FirePort SCSI adapters will provide our customers with fast and reliable access to information across the enterprise and the Web," said Carleton Watkins, director of DeveloperNet Labs at Novell. "We're delighted to add Diamond Multimedia to the network of YES partners who add value to Novell server operating platforms and network services."

"Novell YES Tested and Approved" certification indicates that Diamond Multimedia's line of FirePort SCSI host adapters have undergone rigorous testing by Novell to assure product compatibility and are entitled to be labeled with the "Novell YES Tested and Approved" logo. A Certification Bulletin, available on Novell's DeveloperNet, details the Novell products that were tested with the FirePort line.

The Certification Bulletin also lists specific FirePort configurations, certification dates, special network configuration information, and other related information important to Diamond Multimedia's FirePort SCSI host adapters' interoperability with a Novell network environment.

The Fireport Line of SCSI Host Adapters

Diamond Multimedia's Fireport line of PCI-based SCSI Host Adapters offer customers a range of SCSI performance at competitive prices. With an estimated retail price (ERP) of $99.95, the entry-level Fireport 20 provides a synchronous data rate of up to 20 Mbytes per second for UltraSCSI devices.

The award-winning Fireport 40 SCSI host adapter, with an ERP of $199.95, connects up to fifteen Ultra Wide SCSI devices with transfer rates up to 40 Mbytes per second. Diamond Multimedia's FirePort 40 Dual, with an ERP of $299.95, features two 40 Mbyte per second data channels and is capable of supporting up to 30 Ultra Wide SCSI devices.

The retail versions of the FirePort 40 and FirePort 40 Dual SCSI Host Adapters are bundled with a powerful SCSI application software suite, UltraEasy Tools(TM) 2.0. The External Wide Upgrade kit, an adapter kit for connecting external wide SCSI devices to the Fireport 40 or the FirePort 40 Dual, is available directly from Diamond Multimedia's customer service department at 1-800/468-5846 for a price of $79.99.

Diamond Multimedia

Diamond Multimedia is driving the Internet multimedia market by providing interactivity and connectivity solutions for home, business and professional desktop computer users, enabling them to create, access and experience compelling new media content from their desktops and through the Internet.

Diamond accelerates multimedia from the Internet to the hard drive with products that include the Stealth and Viper(R) series of media accelerators, the Monster series of entertainment 3D and sound accelerators, the Fire series of professional 3D and SCSI accelerators, and the Supra(R) series of modems.

Diamond also markets DVD and video phone kits. Diamond's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol DIMD, and its web site address is www.diamondmm.com .

How to Contact Diamond Multimedia

There are many ways to reach Diamond for sales support, technical assistance, driver updates and general information:

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Internet Web Site:  http://www.diamondmm.com
Diamond Multimedia's Headquarters and Multimedia Division:
408/325-7000; Fax:  [phone]
Communications Division (Supra brand modems) Main Phone Number:
360/604-1400; Fax: [phone]
European Division (Germany): [phone]; (UK): [phone];
                   (France): [phone]
Korean Office (Seoul): [phone];  Fax: [phone]
Japanese Office (Tokyo): [phone];  Fax: [phone]
ASEAN Office (Singapore): [phone];  Fax: [phone]
Hong Kong Office: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
Australian Office (Sydney): [phone]; Fax [phone]
Support Information Line for Communications:  1-800-774-4965
Product Support (Voice), United States: 541/967-2450;
                         Europe (Germany) [phone];
                         Europe (UK) [phone];
                         TDD/TTY Support 541/967-2451
Product Support (Fax), United States: 541/967-2401;
                       Europe (Germany) [phone];
                       Europe (UK):  [phone];
                       (France) [phone]
Pre-sales Information, Multimedia: 1-800/468-5846;
                       Communications: 1-800/727-8772
Investor Relations:  408/325-7476; 1-888/474-3463 (U.S. and Canada)
24-Hour Fax-On-Demand Service, All Products:  1-800/380-0030
FTP sites: ftp.diamondmm.com;  or Supra: ftp.supra.com
BBS:  541/967-2444 (to 33.6 Kbps) or 408/383-0551 (ISDN);  Europe
(Germany) BBS at [phone] (to 28.8 Kbps) or [phone]
(ISDN); Europe (UK) at [phone] (to 33.6 Kbps)

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Note to editors: Monster 3D and Supra are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. Viper(R) is a Registered Trademark of Directed Electronics, Inc., Used under License. All other trademarks referenced are the service mark, trademark or registered trademark of their respective manufacturers. This announcement relates to products whose launch are in the United States of America. The product name contents, prices and availability may differ elsewhere in the world according to local factors and requirements.

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, such as statements relating to the company's ability to successfully exploit technological and market developments, the timing and success of new product introductions by the company and its competitors, and the company's ability to invest in new technologies and to enhance its existing systems are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the impact of competitive products and pricing and alternative technological advances, the timely and successful development and market acceptance of new products and upgrades to existing products, and other risks as detailed from time to time in Diamond Multimedia's SEC filings, including its most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

CONTACT: Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.

Lorraine Comstock, 408/325-7419

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