General Signal Networks announces solution for server-to-mainframe data communication at ESCON(r) channel speeds.

SHELTON, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 1997--

OC/9000 is the fastest, easiest, most secure method for connecting

Sun and Hewlett Packard systems to IBM(r) S/390(r) and

compatible mainframes.

General Signal Networks (GSN), a world leader in data center connectivity solutions, announces the availability of its Open Channel 9000 (OC/9000) high-speed, high- bandwidth connectivity system between IBM/compatible mainframes and server platforms from Sun Microsystems and Hewlett Packard. Supporting IBM's ESCON (Enterprise System CONnection) and Bus and Tag on the mainframe and SCSI (Standard/Fast and Wide) at the server end, the OC/9000 offers the fastest, most reliable connectivity for business-critical applications, including data warehousing and file backup and recovery. The system also enhances access to mainframe data for Internet and Intranet gateways running on servers.

With channel connectivity already available for Tandem NonStop(r) Kernel systems to mainframes over SNA, this announcement extends the OC/9000's channel-to-channel capabilities to Sun and HP over TCP/IP. Users can thus increase data transfer speeds between mainframes and their HP or Sun servers, thereby expanding the time available for batch processing on the mainframe. Data center managers now have faster, reliable server-to-mainframe connectivity that had only been associated with mainframe-to-mainframe environments before.

"The need for faster access to data held on all our platforms has become a business-critical factor in our information technology planning," explained James Freeman, vice president and general manager of midrange systems, National City Bank of Columbus, an Ohio-based national bank. "New applications, including data warehousing, require high-speed, high-bandwidth, secure mainframe connectivity to create business advantage. The OC/9000 provides us the high bandwidth and reliability we require for our data warehousing applications. So far, we've seen our bulk transfer speeds become as much as ten times faster. This allows us to make the most productive use of our systems."

Using IBM's ESCON Enabler Technology (EET) guarantees that the OC/9000 will be 100 percent compatible with any enhancements in ESCON technology. Available in 5- and 10-slot configurations, the compact, easily configured units combine robustness with low cost. Reflecting many years of General Signal Networks' experience in critical mainframe environments, the OC/9000 is rich with protective features such as redundant power and cooling support, on-line serviceability and upgradability, and an on-line channel analyzer and trace facilities for system control and monitoring.

"We expect the OC/9000 to become an essential component in IT infrastructure required for data warehousing, data backup or any application requiring high speed connectivity between host and server," said Peter LaPorte, marketing vice president for General Signal Networks, Inc. "Our customers now have access to the bandwidth, power, security and reliability for open systems-to- mainframe connectivity that had only been available with traditional mainframe computing environments."

The OC/9000 supports dynamic multiprocessor connectivity with five model types to accommodate from one-to-one SCSI to multiple ESCON or Bus and Tag channel connections. It also integrates easily with other GSN solutions, including the IFS/9000 Intelligent Fiber Management System, the CD/9000 Channel Director, the OM/9000 Fiber Optic Multiplexer and General Signal Networks' channel extension products.

Recently formed through the merger of three technology companies (Telenex, Data Switch and Tautron), GSN is one of the most experienced providers of network/test solutions, and currently is entrusted to manage and monitor more than four million circuits in data centers worldwide. Headquartered in Mount Laurel, NJ, General Signal Networks has approximately 1000 employees and revenues of $210 million.

General Signal Corporation of Stamford, CT (NYSE:GSX), with 1996 sales of more than $2 billion, is a leading manufacturer of quality products serving customers in the process control, electrical control and industrial technology industries throughout the world. Visit its web site at www.generalsignal.com. -0-

All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners.

EDITORS NOTE: General Signal Networks news releases are available on the Internet at http://www.gsnetworks.com.

CONTACT: Lisa Carlin  Joseph Blumberg

General Signal Networks, Inc. LVA Communications

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