DIGI INTERNATIONAL DEBUTS DATAFIRE FAMILY OF ISDN ADAPTERS

Complete End-To-End Solutions For Branch Office LANs, Telecommuters

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Digi International Inc. (Nasdaq-NNM: DGII) today announced the DataFire family of ISDN LAN adapters for servers and clients that provide remote users and branch offices with reliable, high-speed access to the corporate network. DataFire ISDN products can also be used to access the Internet or on- line service providers.

The DataFire product family consists of the DataFire S/T and U Client, a single BRI (Basic Rate Interface) ISDN client adapter; the DataFire S/T and U Server (S1), single BRI server adapters; and the DataFire/4 S/T Server (S1), a four BRI server adapter. These LAN adapters connect with BRI lines, each of which supports two 64 Kbps B channels and one 16 Kbps D channel. The B channels can be used independently to make two 64 Kbps connections, or they can be combined to make higher bandwidth connections. S/T type (four wire) interfaces enable ease-of-use around the world and U type (two wire) interfaces eliminate the need for an external NT1 and power supply.

For users of Microsoft and Novell operating systems, the DataFire family of ISDN adapters integrates with these operating systems to take advantage of features such as routing, data compression, and security. These adapters help companies achieve additional utility from existing Microsoft and Novell servers by equipping them with remote communications capability.

"Digi International long ago recognized the importance of ISDN solutions in meeting the connectivity needs of users in remote or small offices, and building on the successful single-user remote LAN adapter DataFire, we are responding with a family of products that enable remote access in an easy and more effective way," said Joseph A. Diodati, Digi International vice president of marketing. "Our DataFire ISDN adapters are ideal for companies seeking cost-effective, high-speed, end-to-end remote communications solutions."

Sequent Computer Systems, a leading manufacturer of commercial parallel-processor systems with worldwide sales of more than $450 million, uses the Digi DataFire to supply remote LAN access for engineers and some managers, many of whom work at home up to two days a week. "We have a New Technology Focus Group that knew that ISDN technology was out there and that people would want it," said Scott Church, Sequent project manager. "So we began investigating it. We've had good success with other Digi serial products, so Digi was the first product we tried when we began our ISDN trials. The tests proved so well that we didn't look anywhere else."

Key Features and Benefits

DataFire Client adapters are designed to provide individual users with high-speed access to a central LAN, to the Internet and to on-line services. They install in ISA-bus computers taking the place of an Ethernet adapter and support one ISDN connection. The product provides a DOS driver for Novell NetWare and drivers for Microsoft Windows and Windows for Workgroups, as well as PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) support for interoperability with other ISDN devices. Windows 95 support will be availabile at the end of the fourth quarter.

DataFire Server adapters provide small companies and branch offices with high-speed, LAN-to-LAN connections. They install in network file or communications servers running Microsoft Windows NT or Novell NetWare and support one ISDN connection. In Novell NetWare 3.x environments, the DataFire server features Link Optimization that helps minimize line charges by preventing LAN administration traffic from opening the communications link.

The DataFire/4 Server adapter is a high capacity solution for larger companies in need of high-speed, LAN-to-LAN connections, or a central site communications hub. The adapter card installs in network file or communications servers running Microsoft Windows NT or Novell NetWare and supports four S/T ISDN connections. In Novell NetWare 3.x environments, DataFire/4 features Link Optimization.

Pricing and Availability

The DataFire S/T Client has a U.S. list price of $495 and the DataFire U Client, U.S. $595. The DataFire S/T and U Server has a U.S. list price of $795 and the DataFire/4 S/T Server, U.S. $2,995.

MediaCenter International Inc., based in Los Angeles, Calif., uses the Digi DataFire to provide a unique on-line image library service called Media Club(TM). Media Club uses Multimedia Asset Management Systems And Tools (MAMSAT) to visually analyze large volumes of still images, video images, and audio. An ad agency or graphic designer can select an appropriate visual or photograph by computer. "Essentially, our on-line service involves a broadband communications link and the DataFire connects a lot faster than an analog modem," said Masih Madani, MediaCenter chief technologist. "The DataFire's performance is exceptionally good in providing high-speed access to our central site or the Internet."

Digi International, based in Minneapolis, Minn., is a leading ISO 9001-compliant provider of data communications hardware and software that delivers seamless connectivity solutions for multiuser environments, remote access, and LAN connect markets. The company markets its products through an international network of distributors and resellers, system integrators, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Digi has been named on Forbes magazine's list of America's best small companies for the last six years.

All brand names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

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/CONTACT: Donna Burke of Digi International, 612-943-5357, donna_burke@dgii.com, or Carolyn Wilkins of Copithorne & Bellows, 617-252-0606 , carolynw@ca.cbpr.com/

CO: Digi International, Inc. ST: Minnesota IN: CPR SU: PDT

JL -- NEM012 -- 0010 11/13/95 09:26 EST