Scenix Announces Ethernet Evaluation Kit for SX-Stack With New, Ethernet-Specific Protocol Software Modules.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 6, 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 has a 10base-T (IEEE 802.3) Ethernet physical interface and new Virtual Peripheral(TM) software modules implementing Ethernet-specific protocols. It 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, the SX-Stack can provide a bridge to the Internet for legacy devices that can be Ethernet-connected.

The kit, which will be available in October, 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 will be able to 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 communications controller 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 communications controller in conjunction with an external Ethernet network interface controller chip to quickly develop and evaluate embedded solutions with both Internet and Ethernet connectivity."

Ethernet-Specific Version of iSX Web Server

The Ethernet Evaluation Kit gives designers hands-on experience with an Ethernet-specific version of the iSX Web Server configuration of the Scenix SX-Stack, which is a combination of standard Internet protocols implemented as Virtual Peripheral modules (software implementations of peripheral and other functions). The modules constituting the new version are:

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

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

-- The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

-- The Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)

-- The Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP)

The ARP and DHCP modules are required in Ethernet applications to deal with addressing issues. ARP is a broadcast technique that is used to find the destination media access control (MAC) address of a node given its IP address. It allows the dynamic mapping of logical addresses to physical addresses. DHCP allows scarce IP addresses to be dynamically assigned to networked devices upon start-up.

In addition, a device driver for a 10 Mbps 10base-T NIC (network interface controller) chip is included as a Virtual Peripheral module.

The source code for the protocol modules is contained on the CD-ROM that comes with the evaluation kit, and is also available on the Scenix Web site.

The Demonstration Board

The demonstration board includes a 50 MIPS SX52BD Embedded Internet Processor and an external 10base-T Ethernet interface chip. The Ethernet iSX Web Server and NIC driver interface software modules 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 will be available in October 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.

Note to Editors: Virtual Peripheral is a trademark of Scenix Semiconductor, Inc.