Xilinx Online Field Upgradable Capabiliity Powers New Remote Server Management System From Apex; Spartan FPGAs Reconfigured for Digital Signal Processing Functions.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 2, 1999--

Spartan XL(tm) FPGAs from Xilinx, Inc. (NASDAQ:XLNX) are playing a key role in the latest remote server management product introduced today by Apex Inc. (NASDAQ:APEX).

The Emerge 2000(tm) system from Apex, Redmond, Wash., is a breakthrough remote server device that can, thanks to Spartan XL FPGAs, dynamically update its performance characteristics depending on the workload and systems to which it is connected.

Emerge 2000 is expected to be a key cost-reduction component of server management strategies for data centers, Internet service providers, and "server farms" of all types, especially for round-the-clock mission-critical applications. It fundamentally allows operators to manage large numbers of servers connected to local area networks, wide area networks or the Internet using only a single console, mouse and keyboard -- without the need to load software or hardware directly on each server.

Emerge 2000 customers can access racks of servers from remote locations through dial-in modems, networks or Internet protocol addresses. When combined with Apex's OutLook(R) and ViewPoint(R) console switches, Emerge 2000 permits system administrators to remotely switch among, view, and control up to hundreds of servers.

Emerge 2000 can be reconfigured to support the different operating system, BIOS, video subsystem, keyboard map or mouse pointing system of a given server, and it provides compatibility with the display resolution, color depth, and refresh rate parameters for the server's console. Additionally, Emerge supports various physical connections between the console and the server farm ranging from broadband optical and T-1 to dial-up modem.

Key to Emerge's design is a compactly designed PCI circuit board. One of its Xilinx Spartan XL FPGAs serves as a 32-bit, 33-MHz PCI interface (based on the Xilinx LogiCORE PCI core) and a video signal processor. The other Spartan XL FPGA is reconfigured dynamically with digital signal processing algorithms to overcome problems associated with remote access.

The Emerge 2000 system swaps communications optimization algorithms in the Spartan XL FPGA almost every time it switches to another server. The reconfiguration data is stored on disk and read into the Spartan XL FPGA in milliseconds.

"The Emerge family addresses several needs regarding remote server management," said Kevin J. Hafer, president and CEO of Apex. "IT managers require speed, security, ease-of-use, and the ability manage servers without burdening server or network performance. Our team worked very closely with Xilinx to ensure Emerge 2000 meets all these key requirements."

"Apex is to be congratulated on its forward looking design of the Emerge 2000 and its use of the Xilinx Internet Reconfigurable Logic methodology to create advanced server management products," said Xilinx CEO Wim Roelandts. "The Emerge 2000 systems exemplifies the beginning of a new generation of Xilinx Online field upgradable applications whose FPGA-based hardware can be modified after installation at the customer's premises."

Spartan FPGAs are targeted as gate array replacements for low-cost, high volume designs under 40,000 system gates that require on-chip RAM and can benefit from pre-defined software cores. Current Spartan devices operate at 3.3 volts and 5 volts.

Xilinx is the leading innovator of complete programmable logic solutions, including advanced integrated circuits, software design tools, predefined system functions delivered as cores, and unparalleled field engineering support. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Xilinx invented the field programmable gate array (FPGA) and commands more than half of the world market for these devices today.

Xilinx solutions enable customers to reduce significantly the time required to develop products for the computer, peripheral, telecommunications, networking, industrial control, instrumentation, high-reliability/military, and consumer markets. For more information, visit the Xilinx web site at www.xilinx.com.

Note to Editors: Xilinx is a registered trademark, and all XC-prefix product designations, LogiCORE, Xilinx Online and Spartan are trademarks of Xilinx, Inc. ViewPoint and OutLook are registered trademarks, and Emerge 2000 is a trademark of Apex Inc. Other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.