GNP Expands Line of Communications Platforms, Adding Media Gateway and Signaling Gateway Systems.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

MONROVIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 2002

GNP, a developer of system framework architectures for the embedded control and communications market, today announced additions to its series of pre-configured CompactPCI (cPCI) platforms designed for powerful voice- and data-network infrastructure applications.

The Media Gateway and Signaling Gateway platforms come with all hardware and system software required for developing and deploying embedded control and telecommunications systems for the wireless and wireline markets.

"These new platforms are the latest offerings in GNP's initiative to provide Network Equipment Providers (NEPs) with off-the-shelf building blocks for diverse communications solutions," said Roger Baar, president and CEO of GNP. "These new platforms bring together our high quality, rigorously tested ComputeNode(TM) family of enclosures with best-of-breed products from leading third-party vendors. ComputeNode's advanced cooling design and built-in capabilities ensure the highest system density possible, allowing NEPs to build powerful carrier-grade systems while significantly reducing development time and cost."

The Media Gateway platform is built on a GNP ComputeNode chassis -- available in either a 2U, 3U or 4U configuration -- and includes: Sun's Netra(TM) CP2040 cPCI processor board with a 500 MHz UltraSPARC(TM) II processor and 512MB of memory; Sun's Solaris(TM) 8 Operating Environment; NMS Communications' Convergence Generation VoIP card; NMS' Fusion(TM) 4 development environment and Natural Access(TM) operating and development environment; redundant hot-swappable power supplies; an efficient cooling system; a built-in alarm card; and disk storage. Additional satellite processors and VoIP cards can be added to enhance capabilities.

The Signaling Gateway platform is built on a GNP ComputeNode chassis -- available in either a 2U, 3U or 4U configuration -- and includes: Sun's Netra CP2040 cPCI processor board with a 500 MHz UltraSPARC II processor and 512MB of memory; Sun's Solaris 8 Operating Environment; NMS Communications' SS7 Version 3.8 software stack and NMS TX3220C T1 adapter card; redundant hot-swappable power supplies; an efficient cooling system; and a built-in alarm card. Satellite processors or additional T1 cards may be added to suit particular customer requirements.

In addition to the Media Gateway and Signaling Gateway platforms, GNP debuted its Network Controller platform earlier this month. GNP's Network Controller is equipped with all of the components necessary to develop and deploy powerful network communications solutions.

All of GNP's pre-configured platforms are designed for NEBS compliance and engineered to meet the high standards and harsh environmental conditions required for Central Office-deployment. In addition, the platforms are hot-room tested, so little or no additional configuration or testing is required.

The platforms also feature hot-swappable field replacement units (FRUs) on all major subassemblies including disks, fans and power supplies.

Hard disk storage is either a 20GB PMC-mounted drive or one to two high-performance 36GB SCSI drives, depending on the ComputeNode chassis chosen. The high slot density inherent to GNP's ComputeNode provides up to seven open expansion slots, determined by whether the ComputeNode 2U, 3U or 4U configuration is used.

About GNP

GNP is a premier provider of complex systems manufacturing for the embedded control and communications marketplace. The company designs, manufactures and customizes open system platforms to meet the demanding requirements of its customers' programs, using Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology enhanced by system building blocks of its own design. GNP's broad range of platform solutions include SPARC-, Intel(R)- and PowerPC-based carrier-grade systems in CompactPCI and other form factors, as well as a multi-node continuously available applications framework -- the Continuant Cluster Suite(TM) -- for use in mission-critical embedded control and communications equipment. Its products are complemented by comprehensive services, ranging from conceptual design through deployment, minimizing cycle time at all stages of the product life cycle while achieving the highest levels of quality and customer satisfaction. ISO-9001 certified, GNP is privately held with headquarters in Monrovia, California, and sales operations worldwide. For more information on GNP's products and services, visit the company Web site at www.gnp.com.

(c) 2002 GNP Computers, Inc. GNP Computers is a trademark of GNP Computers. All other brand names and trademarks are properties of their respective holders.