SDL Communications Introduces Industry First 786Kbps -- 2Mbps HDSL Internal Modem for PCs

Announcement Highlights:

Low-Cost, High-Speed Internet access for PCs over existing telephone lines

25 times faster than ISDN!

Full-Duplex 784Kbps to T1/E1 data rates over existing telephone lines

PCI Bus Plug-and-Play. Installation in seconds.

Windows 95 and Windows NT Support

~$600 OEM price &61664; Immediate Availability

SDL Communications, a market leader in high-performance WAN Susbsystems, today announced the immediate availability of the industry&8217;s first HDSL internal modem for PCI-based PCs. The WANic 450 internal modem will support full-duplex data rates of 784Kbps, 1.544Mbps or 2.048Mbps over existing twisted pair telephone lines. The WANic 450 internal modem is the first PCI based implementation of the fast emerging and strategic Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology that is based on the ANSI T1.413 standard. It permits existing, unconditioned telephone lines to be used for high-speed, data transfers and multimedia applications. DSL is the ideal low-cost, high-bandwidth media for Internet and Intranet access. The High bit-rate variant of DSL [ie. HDSL] supports data rates from 784Kbps to 2.048Mbps. &8220;The WANic 450 allows SDL to leverage its leadership position in the T1/E1 OEM WAN adapter arena against the emerging xDSL market. Implementing HDSL specifically allows SDL&8217;s OEMs to take advantage of a technology [HDSL] that is established and gaining deployment, partially due to delays associated with the nascent ADSL technology,&8221; comments Brij Bhushan, President of Reston Consulting Group, an independent worldwide internetworking consultancy based in Herndon, VA. With the WANic 450, PC users can access or transfer data at 24 to 50 times faster than they can with a conventional 28.8 Kbps modem or ISDN. The WANic 450 provides for Internet access without the delay. &8220;Interoperability with the large installed base of PairGain HDSL equipment allows SDL&8217;s WANic 450 immediate access to the growing xDSL market. Positioning the WANic 450 as a PCI adapter provides SDL&8217;s OEM customers a network access solution for the rapidly growing base of PCI network servers,&8221; comments William R. Koss, SDL&8217;s Vice President of Sales. The WANic 450 is a low cost PCI based implementation of the fast emerging and strategic Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology that is based on the ANSI T1.413 Standard. This standard permits existing, unconditioned telephone lines to be used for high speed data transfers and multimedia applications. DSL is the ideal low-cost, high-bandwidth media for Internet and Intranet network access. The High-bit Rate of DSL [i.e. HDSL] supports data rates from 768 Kbps to 2.048 Mbps in full duplex mode across existing telephone lines. The WANic 450 is based on SDL&8217;s modular CP/2 Architecture that consists of a motherboard with a plug-in daughter module that contains the HDSL chip set. The WANic 450 can also support an optionsl POTS port for voice and data applications. Software support for the WANic 450 consists of Windows 95®, Windows NT® drivers and popular versions of UNIX. The WANic 450 features a comprehensive management and diagnostic interface complete with loop-back testing. The OEM pricing for the WANic 450 will be in the $600.00 range. About SDL Communications SDL Communications, Inc. is a world leader in the design and manufacture of advanced wide area network adapters for use in networking platforms and systems. 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&8217;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 wide area adapters for PCI, CompactPCI and PMC systems. SDL&8217;s customer base includes technology leaders such as Bay Networks, IBM, Motorola, Nokia, ITT, Compuware, GE, General Instruments and Network Associates, Inc. More information on SDL Communications and its products is available at www.sdlcomm.com. Yee-Ling Chin SBS Technologies Communications Group (formerly SDL Communications) (508) 261-7007 ychin@sbs.com