Retix Wireless Data Adopts Sun's Solstice Enterprise Manager as Foundation of Advanced Telco Management Solution; Introduces Integrated Network Management System for CDPD and pACT Wireless Data Networks

Business Wire, Dec 3, 1996

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 1996--Sun Microsystems, Inc., and Retix Wireless Data Division today announced that Retix has selected Solstice(TM) Enterprise Manager(TM) 2.0 software as the foundation management console for their new CDPD and IMpACT integrated Network Management System (NMS) for wireless data networks.

These solutions, based on the Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) and personal Air Communications Technology (pACT) protocol suites, will provide powerful management applications for the Telecommunications industry that will allow network operators to cost-effectively manage their wireless data networks in a streamlined fashion.

The Retix NMS product offers service providers a completely integrated view of their wireless data network. Running on the Sun Microsystems Inc. Solstice Enterprise Manager, Retix NMS features management applications controlling the operations of base stations, packet switches, accounting servers, provisioning systems, and routers.

The solution includes supported applications for alarm management, performance monitoring, security, and operations management, including configuration management and software download for supported devices.

"We give operators state-of-the art management power on a single screen," said Ningning Yu, Retix Director of Research and Development. "So many other management systems employ a `just another terminal' approach. Our customers told us that they wanted one screen that could access all network components. Solstice EM provides that capability and also features the flexibility and scalability that our applications require."

The Retix Wireless team used its experience in the wireless data network area to develop a product that solves the specific application needs of network operators. Solstice EM presents an excellent platform for hosting management applications that solve real-world wireless data network problems.

The combination of the underlying platform and the specific applications is essential in providing efficient and reliable management products to network operators.

Several key Telecommunications industry leaders are reselling the Retix NMS solution. In the CDPD environment, Ericsson Radio Systems, and PCSI resell the Retix NMS. In the pACT environment, the product is deployed at AT&T Wireless Messaging, which is using portions of the Retix system to manage its advanced NB PCS paging network.

Retix NMS leverages the scalability of Solstice Enterprise Manager which allows customers to develop and maintain a single network management system that can be cost effectively deployed across networks.

The client-server architecture and close cooperation among distributed Solstice Enterprise Manager elements ensures that network management data and applications are placed where they are most needed without the overhead of data replication and data synchronization.

To assist developers, the Solstice Enterprise Manager Application programming Interface is comprehensive, flexible, and easy to use. Through the API, Retix has been able to develop and integrate Retix specific applications with Solstice Enterprise Manager, thereby providing customers a seamless and consistent user interface.

"With Solstice Enterprise Manager, Sun is providing a great leap forward by delivering an `off-the-shelf' network management solution that easily scales and effectively distributes management applications where customers need them in the network," said Terry Keeley, vice president and general manager, Solstice Software Products.

"Their adoption of Solstice Enterprise Manager further underscores the superior flexibility and comprehensive design of Solstice solutions."

For additional product information on the Retix NMS software solution, see the Retix website at http://www.retix.com. For additional information on the Solstice Enterprise Manager software solution, see the Solstice homepage at the Sun website at: http://www.sun.com/solstice.>About Retix

A diversified networking company founded in 1985, Retix deploys its core expertise in network protocols, routing, switching, and network management in three targeted network markets: internetworking products, wireless data and telecommunications management networks (TMN).

The Company's high-performance internetworking products efficiently interconnect departmental networks both within a corporate campus and remotely, linking branch offices and remote sites over carrier facilities. The Retix wireless data communications unit pioneered the development of networking software that enables carriers to provide wireless data communications services over cellular and PCS facilities.

A developer of network management software that enables carriers to manage remotely their increasingly complex and evolving telecommunications networks, the Company's Vertel subsidiary has generated the largest installed base of standards-based TMN embedded products in the world.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

With annual revenues of more than $7 billion, Sun Microsystems, Inc., provides products and services that enable customers to build and maintain open network computing environments. Widely recognized as a proponent of open standards, the company is involved in the design, manufacture and sale of products, technologies and services for commercial and technical computing.