Microsoft Device Driver for Symbios Logic ATA/ATAPI-to-1394 Controller Included in Microsoft's New NT5 Beta DDK Release.

FORT COLLINS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 6, 1997--

The SYM13FW500 Controller, with Microsoft's Driver Support,

Makes Transition to Native 1394 Devices Easier and

Less Expensive for Everyone

Symbios Logic Inc. today announced that its SYM13FW500 ATA/ATAPI-to-1394 controller will be supported by Microsoft Corporation's Win32(R) Driver Model (WDM) drivers, starting with the NT version 5.0 software release. The SYM13FW500 controller, demonstrated at WinHEC '97 with Microsoft driver support, is a fully-integrated single-chip solution that includes an integrated microcontroller and PHY (physical interface). Customer firmware development for the controller is eliminated because all firmware development is provided by Symbios Logic.

Driver support of the SYM13FW500 controller by Microsoft provides OEMs with early test capability and will speed industry delivery ofler demonstrates our leadership p osition in provrepr esents higher performance with lower costs."

Embedded in the SYM13FW500 is the SBP-2 protocol, a transport protocol that is used for storage on the 1394 bus, providing a total solution on one chip. SBP-2 transports command sets such as SCSI, 1394 or ATAPI. The SYM13FW500 controller accepts native 1394 commands and translates them to ATA/ATAPI commands. Any ATA or ATAPI device can be made to look like a native 1394 SBP-2-compatible device though the use of this native 1394-to-ATA/ATAPI bridge.

Because of the SYM13FW500 controller's flexible architecture, Microsoft was able to minimize driver development to support native 1394 devices only. Now, peripheral and system vendors using the ATA/ATAPI interface have an immediate and no-risk solution for adding 1394 solutions, as well as an excellent development environment and road map to native 1394 devices. The SYM13FW500 controller also appeals to system vendors because it reduces the cost of adding 1394 to their system by leveraging ATA/ATAPI economies of scale. Also, the SYM13FW500 controller has the optional capability for an external PHY, providing additional design flexibility.

System and peripheral OEMs requiring high-speed communication between, and among, computers and peripherals such as DVDs, hard disk drives, CD-ROMs and removable media, can benefit from the SYM13FW500 controller's innovative technology because it supports Ultra DMA 33 at 33MB/s, is programmable up to 50 MB/s, and simultaneously supports two ATA/ATAPI devices.

The SYM13FW500 controller is priced at less than $10 each in volume production, and is fully compatible with the Symbios Logic family of 1394 products, including host, target and PHY solutions.

Symbios Logic Inc., headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, creates solutions for moving and storing information. The company focuses on developing partnerships with its customers, including original equipment manufacturers and resellers in the storage, server, peripherals, and communications markets. A privately owned company, Symbios Logic had revenue of around $600 million in 1996. For further information, please call 1-800/856-3093 or visit our Web site at www.symbios.com . Our e-mail address for product information is [e-mail] . -0-

Symbios Logic is a trademark of Symbios [e-mail]

or

Metzger Associates

Chad Morris, 303/786-7000

[e-mail]

KEYWORD: COLORADO

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED