Ariel Provides High-Density PCI Remote Access For Linux Users; Brings High-Density Remote Access To Linux-Based ISP Points of Presence and Enterprise Servers

Business Wire, April 26, 1999

BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 1999--

Ariel Corp. (Nasdaq:ADSP) today announced the availability of its PCI-based RS2000 remote access card for PCs running the Linux operating system.

Together, Linux and the RS2000 provide a scaleable, low cost, high-availability platform for adding high-density V.34, 56K, and Basic Rate ISDN remote access to enterprise systems and ISP points of presence.

"A Linux PC equipped with an RS2000 beats dedicated remote access concentrators hands down," said Dennis Schneider, senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Ariel. "Not only does it provide higher port density at a lower cost per port, it provides added intelligence that can be used to enhance efficiency, boost performance, and reduce cost throughout ISP and enterprise networks. We expect RS2000/Linux platforms to be particularly popular among ISPs who are looking for a quick way to grow their network with low-cost, intelligent points of presence."

"Linux has already established itself as a significant player in both the enterprise and ISP markets," added Brad Baldwin, an analyst at IDC. "We think Linux systems equipped with high-density plug-in cards like the RS2000 can provide formidable competition for dedicated, closed-box remote access servers, particularly for ISPs who want to add more intelligence to their POPs."

Linux PCs equipped with an RS2000 cost up to 50 percent less than a dedicated, closed-box remote access concentrator. One reason is that the RS2000 leverages PCI technology and economies of scale. Another reason is the inherent efficiency of the Linux kernel, which enables it to run on inexpensive hardware.

The third reason is that the Linux operating system, together with all of the software components needed to provide remote access and integrate it with the rest the enterprise, are available royalty free. Red Hat Software, for example, offers a royalty-free Linux bundle for ISPs that includes authentication, the BIND (Berkeley Internet Name Domain) DNS server, email, and the Apache Web server.

In addition to reducing remote access cost, using a Linux/RS2000 PC as a remote access platform makes the point of presence more intelligent, thereby enabling it to integrate other network functions and enhance network efficiency. ISPs, for example, can use this added intelligence to add functions like DNS to their POPs. This reduces DNS traffic between the POP and the network operating center (NOC), thereby enhancing performance, improving network efficiency, and boosting profitability.

Start-up ISPs can also leverage the added intelligence provided by PowerPOP(TM) systems to build ISPs-in-a-box for the NOC. Integrating RAS with functions such as DNS, email, FTP, Web serving, and backup, PowerPOP systems can replace entire networks of dedicated servers. Later, when ISPs need to increase capacity or deploy new services, they can do so by simply adding more PowerPOPs.

The RS2000 gives Linux systems the physical connections needed for remote dial-in, LAN dial-out, and Internet back-haul. Combining dual T1/PRI interfaces with 24 V.90 modems on a single PCI plug-in card, the RS2000 can accommodate up to 47 remote access sessions originating from any combination of digital V.90-compatible 56-kbps, analog 33.6-kbps, or 64-kbps basic rate ISDN customer premises equipment.

One PRI interface, together with the card's 24 modems, provides 24 V.34, 56K, or BRI sessions. The second T1/PRI interface can be used to support an additional 23 BRI sessions, or to provide back-haul to the Internet, the PSTN, or a private network.

The RS2000 is available immediately from Ariel for a list price of $6995. Special ISP discounts are available through June 30.

More on Ariel

Ariel Corp. (Nasdaq:ADSP) is leading provider of high-density remote access plug-in cards for applications such as Internet access, corporate Intranet/Extranet access, on-line services, telecommuting, transaction processing, and unified messaging. Ariel's remote access products make it easy for OEMs and system integrators targeting ISPs, corporate enterprises and other service providers to add high-density remote access to open systems platforms running a variety of popular operating systems, including Windows NT and Linux.

Ariel's high-density remote access cards provide V.34, V.90-compatible 56K, and basic rate ISDN remote dial-in, LAN dial-out, and Internet back-haul. Available in ISA, PCI and CompactPCI formats, the cards connect to T1, E1, ISDN, and POTS lines. Ariel's remote access products run Windows NT and Linux out of the box. An SDK is available for OEMs who want to use Ariel's remote access products with other operating systems.

For more information on Ariel products, please contact Ariel Corp. at 2540 Route 130, Cranbury, NJ 08512. Phone 609/860-2900. Fax 609/860-1155. Email: info@ariel.com. World Wide Web: www.ariel.com.

PowerPOP, RS2000, and Ariel are trademarks of Ariel Corp.