Midnight Networks Announces Release 3.0 of ANVL; Automated Network Product Testing Software Gets New Features.

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 1995--Midnight Networks Inc. announced today that it has released version 3.0 of its networking test product ANVL(tm) (Automated Network Validation Library).

This release incorporates a number of new tests and features that had been requested by ANVL customers over the past year.

ANVL is a software-based test tool that determines whether a protocol implementation conforms to specifications, is robust and is likely to interoperate well on production networks. Users of ANVL include leading network device manufacturers; ANVL can also be used by network equipment purchasers to determine the quality of network products before buying.

New features included in release 3.0 of ANVL include:

o Virtual production network emulation: New tests have been written for several ANVL test suites to emulate a production network. The size of the emulated network can be varied by the user. The purpose of these tests is to determine how robust a network product is on a large, busy network.

o Enhanced on-line documentation: This release includes extensive on-line user documentation with detailed instructions on how to run each test suite and heavily commented sample configuration files for each test suite.

o New test output options: Users can now elect to view outbound packets (packets sent by ANVL during the test execution) in addition to inbound packets, and hexadecimal decodes of all packets.

o Additional test suites and support for media types: Since the last release, many new test suites were added to ANVL including test suites for IPX, TCP/IP Gateway, PPP, and ARAP. Also, support was added for Token Ring and synchronous and asynchronous serial lines.

Other enhancements include improved log messages, more flexible test configuration options and enhancements to ANVL's architecture that make it easier for users to add new tests, test suites and protocols.

Art Mellor, vice president of engineering at Midnight Networks, states, "These enhancements will help maintain ANVL's position as the most powerful, useful and complete protocol-based network test tool available anywhere. We are immensely pleased with the result of our efforts and know that our customers will be as well."

Pricing and Specifications

Pricing for ANVL starts at $15,000 and is based on the type of license and number of test suites purchased. Test suites available for license include OSPF, TCP/IP RIP Gateway, IPX Router, AppleTalk End-Node, AppleTalk Router, ARAP, PPP, IPCP, ATCP, IPXCP, and VJ Compression.

ANVL has been compiled and run on Sun3's and Sun4's running SunOS 4.1.x, and Solaris 2.3 and Solaris 2.4 on Sun4's. ANVL supports many different physical connections and most of ANVL's tests will run over Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, and PPP connections over synchronous and asynchronous serial connections.

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]. -0-

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

[e-mail]