SDL Communications Unveils Next Generation ATM OC-3/DS3 Adapters for PCI Bus.

EASTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 16, 1999--

SDL Communications, the global leader in high-performance wide area networking (WAN) adapters, today announced the availability of its WANic 1000 Line, next generation ATM OC-3 adapters with traffic management for the PCI bus.

Featuring a 155 Mbps OC-3 interface, the WANic 1000 complies with ATM Forum Specification UNI 3.1 and TM 4.0. Based on an advanced ATM Segmentation and Reassembly Controller (A-SAR) which is designed to optimize PCI bus occupancy and maximize performance under short packet conditions, the WANic 1000 supports AAL0, AAL1, AAL2, AAL3/4, AAL5 and raw cells.

"The WANic 1000 is engineered to satisfy demanding applications such as DSLAMs and ATM aggregation devices that require large VCC count, high link utilization and a mix of AAL1, AAL2 and AAL5 traffic," comments Robbie Dhillon, President and CEO of SDL Communications. "Driven by our commitment to product excellence in the ATM arena and our understanding of OEM customer requirements, SDL's product development team continues to set rigorous standards for product performance, testing and reliability while also implementing forward pricing to ensure maximum value to our OEM customers."

Traffic Management

The traffic management co-processor within the A-SAR supports Constant Bit Rate (CBR), Variable Bit Rate (VBR), Unspecified Bit Rate (UBR), Available Bit Rate (ABR), Guaranteed Frame Rate (GFR) and Generic Flow Control (GFC). In order to maximize utilization, the xBR traffic management block automatically schedules each VCC according to user assigned parameters.

OC-3 Performance

Supporting 32,000 VCC, the WANic 1000 supports 155 Mbps full duplex operation for packet data unit (PDU) sizes as small as two cells. In the half duplex mode, the product supports burst rates of 200 Mbps. The front-end features support SONET STS-3c or SDH STM-1 with built-in performance and alarm monitoring.

The following products are currently included in SDL's WANic 1000 product line: -0-

WANic 1000-SM: Single mode OC-3 adapter with 4 MB or 8 MB Control RAM
WANic 1000-MM: Multi-mode OC-3 adapter with 4 MB or 8 MB Control RAM

The DS3 version of this ATM adapter for the PCI bus will be available in Q1 2000. Subsequently, the CompactPCI and PMC versions of these ATM adapters are in development and planned for future release.

Software Support

The WANic 1000 Line provides software support for Windows NT(R), VxWorks(R) and popular versions of UNIX(R). In addition, the UNI 4.0 Signaling Stack is offered with this new line of products. As with all SDL products, the WANic 1000 Line is available with a comprehensive Driver Development Kit (DDK) that contains an extensive Application Programming Interface (API), sample code, diagnostics and support documentation. The DDK complements SDL's CP/2 TM product design architecture and is designed to reduce required OEM integration time and speed new product introduction.

CP/2 Architecture: Industry Leading Approach to Hardware and Software Design

Targeted for use in applications such as router interfaces (IP over ATM, Frame Relay over ATM), WAN uplinks, server platforms and WAN test equipment, the WANic 1000 Line is a product of SDL's CP/2 Architecture. CP/2 Architecture is a modular approach to hardware and software design that utilizes common components, interfaces, hardware platforms and software drivers to develop WAN adapters. Key benefits of this design approach include: (1) Reduced time to market for new adapters incorporating emerging technologies, (2) Maximum reliability and cost-efficiency, (3) Minimal integration and configuration time, (4) Use of industry standard I/O modules that provide a wide range of interface options, and (5) Ability to leverage a variety of applications and protocol stacks.

About SDL Communications

SDL Communications, Inc. is the global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced wide area network adapters and communication software protocols for use in networking platforms and devices. Recognized as the leading provider of WAN interfaces, SDL offers a complete line of networking products designed for use by leading technology companies, system integrators, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in system level products. SDL's WAN adapters are typically implemented in high-performance multiprotocol routers, WAN servers (e.g. Internet Access Platforms and Server Based Remote Access Devices), WAN test equipment, FRADs, wireless CPE, satellite applications and Integrated Access Devices (IADs). Established in 1987, SDL Communications has grown into the premier developer of WAN adapters for PCI, CompactPCI and PMC systems. Most recently, SDL has been focused on developing products for emerging technologies such as PPP, Frame Relay and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). SDL's customer base includes technology leaders such as Nortel Networks, IBM, Motorola, Nokia, ITT, Compuware, GE and Network Associates. More information on SDL Communications and its products is available at http://www.sdlcomm.com.