Midnight Networks' ANVL Software selected by Chipcom.

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 2, 1995--Midnight Networks Inc. today announced that Chipcom Corp., a leader in intelligent switching systems, has licensed the Automated Network Validation Library (ANVL) to assist in Chipcom's testing processes. ANVL is a software-based testing system that validates protocol compliance and operational robustess of multi-protocol network devices.

Composed of protocol-based test suites. ANVL quickly and accurately determines how well a network device conforms to the requirements set forth in the specifications for a protocol. In addition to its compliance testing role, ANVL can also be used as a network emulator for observing a device's performance under "real world" conditions.

According to Mark K. Dickason, senior system test engineer at Chipcom, "Midnight Networks' ANVL test tool has significantly enhanced our ability to test conformance to networking and internetworking standards in an automated fashion. We use these test suites on both Ethernet and Token Ring interfaces to test network conformance for hubs, bridges, routers, and remote access devices."

ANVL currently operates on Sun 3 and Sun 4 workstations using SunOS 4.1 and DECstation 3100s with Ultrix. An ANVL test system can be configured so that a single workstation can simulate a real-time network environment with many nodes and routers. ANVL also generates both correctly and incorrectly formed packets, giving Chipcom's development team the ability to use it for both functional and error checking testing.

As part of the ANVL package, Midnight Networks provides source code licenses, code development (protocols or tests), test plan development, and training. ANVL's existing test suites include Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX), Point-to Point Protocol (PPP), TCP/IP Routing Information Protocol (RIP) versions 1 and 2, AppleTalk End Node, AppleTalk Router, AppleTalk Remote Access Protocol (ARAP), Van Jacobson TCP/IP compression, IPX Control Protocol (IPXCP), Internet Protocol Control Protocol (IPCP), and AppleTalk Control Protocol (ATCP). Hundreds of tests for these protocols are included in the ANVL package.

Founded in 1983, Chipcom Corp. designs, manufactures, markets and services fault-tolerant intelligent switching systems, including hub, internetworking and network management products, for remote site, campus and enterprise network computing environments. The Southborough, Mass.-based company reported record revenues of $268 million for its 1994 fiscal year, ended Dec. 31, a 67-percent increase over 1993. Together with its resellers, Chipcom has a presence in more than 40 countries, and the company employs over 850 people worldwide.

Midnight Networks Inc., founded in 1992, provides software for network product development and network administration. The company also offers customized software development services to networking vendors and users. Midnight Networks' products include ANVL, an automated network validation system, and Recon/Map, an intelligent network management tool for TCP/IP-based networks. The company can be reached via phone at 617/890-1001 or via email at [e-mail].

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ANVL and Recon/Map are trademarks of Midnight Networks Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Midnight Networks Inc.

Hollie Schmidt, 617/890-1001

hollie(at)midnight.com

Chipcom Corp.

Susan Bourdon, 508/624-6883

sbourdon(at)chipcom.com