Ziatech CompactPCI Multiprocessing Technology Provides Integrated Development Platform for Wind River System's Tornado Platform, VxWorks RTOS.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 27, 1999--

CompactNET(TM) Combines Development and Target Platforms

in One System

CompactNET(TM), a CompactPCI(R) multiprocessing environment developed by Ziatech Corp., allows users of Wind River System's Tornado(TM) platform and VxWorks(R) real-time operating system to combine software development and target system deployment in a single CompactPCI system.

The unique CompactNET(TM) multiprocessing technology, on display this week at the Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose (Ziatech booth No. 1802), allows multiple processors to perform separate, but closely knit functions and to communicate at high speeds over the CompactPCI backplane.

Developers of telecommunications, Internet, and factory infrastructure can streamline system deployment by developing their application code with Wind River's Tornado tools on one processor in a CompactNET system. They can then download the executable VxWorks image via CompactNET to one or more separate processors running on the same CompactPCI backplane.

A single CompactNET system in a rackmount enclosure can feature multiple CPU boards dedicated to individual functions, providing the same functionality of a physically larger and more expensive network, with no cabling required.

The Tornado integrated development environment and VxWorks RTOS run on Ziatech CompactPCI CPU boards and development systems through Ziatech's VxWorks Board Support Packages (the Tornado platform and VxWorks RTOS are purchased separately from Wind River Systems).

The Tornado platform provides an integrated development environment under Windows NT(R), including a comprehensive suite of cross-development tools and utilities, and a full range of communications options for the target connection to the host. The VxWorks operating system is the run-time component of the Tornado platform, and comprises the core capabilities of the wind(R) microkernel along with advanced networking support.

The VxWorks RTOS includes more than 1,800 powerful application programs and can be found in a wide range of real world applications throughout the world, from anti-lock braking systems to inter-planetary exploration.

Ziatech's CompactNET multiprocessing technology increases system performance while reducing development time by integrating CompactPCI hardware, standard OS support such as VxWorks, QNX(R), Windows NT, and Linux(R), and standard networks software protocols. For more information on CompactNET, visit the CompactNET Open Source Forum at http://www.compactnet.com.

Ziatech and Wind River cooperate to test the operation of the VxWorks RTOS on Ziatech computers, which is streamlined through the VxWorks Board Support Package (BSP), available directly from Ziatech as an option to the company's CPU boards.

The BSP includes the solid-state disk driver, appropriate Ethernet driver, and CompactNET driver for the selected processor board. The BSP is tailored to take full advantage of the devices available on the Ziatech processor board.

A CompactNET development system with two Intel(R) Pentium(R) II processor boards costs $9,735. The VxWorks Board Support Package and Toolkit costs $1,500. The Tornado platform and VxWorks RTOS is purchased directly from Wind River.

In addition to taking part in the Ziatech booth at ESC, Wind River Systems will be participating in the 1999 Applied Computing Software Seminars, a five-city tour beginning in San Jose on Oct. 29.

Hosted by Ziatech and Intel Corp., this series of one-day seminars will focus on real-time applied computing issues and feature presentations from Wind River Systems, QNX Software Systems, MontaVista Software (Hard Hat Linux), Intel, and Ziatech.

For more information and to register on-line, visit http://www.appliedcompsw.com.

About Ziatech

Ziatech is the leading innovator of applied computing solutions for telecommunications and Internet applications. The company supplies Original Equipment Manufacturers with solutions ranging from single board computers to fully integrated systems designed for mission-critical applications.

Ziatech offers the industry's most comprehensive product line of CompactPCI, a standard it created and continues to enhance through advancements such as multiprocessing and high availability technology. An ISO 9001-certified company, Ziatech partners with one of the world's largest contract manufacturers of electronics, to build computers that meet international certification requirements and the highest standards of quality.

With headquarters in San Luis Obispo, Calif., Ziatech operates a worldwide network of representatives and distributors, with sales offices throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. More detailed information on Ziatech is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.ziatech.com.