Scenix Announces Ethernet Evaluation Kit For SX-Stack; Ordering Options Include E-Commerce Web Site.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 31, 2000

Scenix, a leading supplier of solutions for embedding the Internet, today announced the availability of the Ethernet Evaluation Kit for use with its SX-Stack network protocol stack. The kit, which has a 10-baseT Ethernet physical interface, allows OEMs to quickly and easily evaluate and become familiar with using the Scenix TCP/IP protocol stack. This will enable them to design Internet connectivity into embedded applications that require an Ethernet networking capability. In addition to such applications as new remote access and monitoring devices and industrial control systems, this includes providing a bridge to the Internet for legacy devices that are already Ethernet-connected.

The kit contains a demonstration board, an AC power supply, a 9-pin-to-9-pin serial cable, a CD-ROM containing source code and other information, and a user's guide. It can be ordered both from Scenix' local distributors and on-line at the Montereytools.com e-commerce Web site.

"When we introduced the SX-Stack running on our single-chip Embedded Internet Processor a year ago, we were the first company to include such commonly used physical interfaces as UARTs and I2C along with the TCP/IP protocol software modules," said Stephan Thaler, Scenix' vice president of marketing. "Since then, there's been a growing demand from our customers for an Ethernet physical interface. The Ethernet Evaluation Kit is the first part of our answer to that demand. It lets designers use an SX Series Embedded Internet Processor in conjunction with an external chip that executes the PHY portion of the Ethernet interface to quickly develop and evaluate embedded solutions with both Internet and Ethernet connectivity."

SX-Stack Source Code On CD-ROM

The Ethernet Evaluation Kit gives designers hands-on experience with the SX-Stack, which is a configurable combination of standard Internet protocols implemented as Virtual Peripheral(TM) modules (software implementations of peripheral and other functions). The modules constituting the SX-Stack are:

-- The Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)

-- The Internet Protocol (IP) and Internet Control Message

Protocol (ICMP)

-- The User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and Transmission Control

Protocol (TCP)

-- The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Hypertext Transfer

Protocol (HTTP) and Post Office Protocol (POP3)

The source code for the protocol modules is contained on the CD-ROM that comes with the evaluation kit. Two configurations are offered. One, the iSX Web Server, consists of the PPP, TCP/IP and HTTP Virtual Peripheral modules, and allows a standard browser to access and view stored Web pages. The other is the eSX E-Mail Appliance, which consists of the PPP, TCP/IP, SMTP and POP3 modules, and allows both transmission and reception of e-mail messages.

The Demonstration Board

The demonstration board includes a 50 MIPS SX52BD Embedded Internet Processor and an external 10-baseT Ethernet interface chip. The iSX Web Server and eSX E-Mail Appliance are loaded into the flash/EEPROM memory of the processor. An external EEPROM chip is provided for storing Web page content. Also included are two DB-9 serial port connections, clock circuitry, LEDs, a reset button, and a DC power-in plug.

Price and Availability

The Ethernet Evaluation Kit is priced at $99.00. It is available now through the company's worldwide network of distributors and representatives, and from the Montereytools.com e-commerce Web site.

Scenix

Headquartered in Mountain View, California, Scenix provides communications software and controllers for embedded applications, with a market emphasis on embedding the Internet in everyday things. Scenix is the leading supplier of Virtual Peripheral(TM) software modules, which are functions that are conventionally implemented in hardware. The company's software system-on-a-chip approach reduces time to production and system cost, while providing greater flexibility, compared to traditional design approaches.

Recognition includes:

-- "Best Products of 2000, Controllers," by ChipCenter (an

on-line affiliate of Electronic Engineering Times) for the

SX52BD100 communications controller

-- "Investor's Choice" award, December 1999, as one of the top 10

privately held companies at the Technologic Partners

"Technology Outlook Conference"

-- "50 Hot Products of 1999" by EDN Europe for the SX-Stack

TCP/IP network protocol stack

-- "100 Hot Products of 1998" by EDN for the 100 MIPS SX Series

communication controller

-- "10 Top Processor List of 1998" by Electronic News for the 100

MIPS SX Series communication controller

Additional information on Scenix and its products can be found on the Web at www.scenix.com.

(TM) Virtual Peripheral is a trademark of Scenix Semiconductor, Inc.