Business Editors & Technology Writers

    MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 1999--

    New DataFire Adapters Embedded in Tropico Switches Help Brazil
    Manage Exploding Internet Traffic Growth

    Digi International Inc. (NASDAQ: DGII) today announced a multi-million dollar, multi-year agreement to embed its new CompactPCI-based DataFire communications adapters into telecommunications carrier switches developed and manufactured by Brazil-based Tropico Systems and Telecommunications SA. Tropico provides a third of the digital switches installed in Brazil, which together connect over five million phone lines.

The DataFire adapters, based on Houston TechnologyTM, will reside in a module built into the Tropico-RA central office switch, where they control all incoming Internet-bound calls to a high-speed network interconnecting Brazil's Internet service providers (ISPs). Digi's products will be incorporated into upgrades of 400 existing switches currently in use and also will be built into new switches.

Supporting Internet Growth in Developing Countries

John Schinas, Digi's Chief Executive Officer , said Digi's adapters will help Brazilian carriers separate voice and data calls. "In Brazil, Internet traffic is growing over 100 percent a year and that growth is compounded by the recent privatization of the telecommunications sector," he said. "To grow the economy, you need an Internet-ready telecommunications infrastructure, and Tropico will deliver that. We think this model can work in other emerging markets as well."

Tropico is using Digi's CompactPCI-based DataFireDSP 30/60 access concentrator together with the DataFire SYNC/2000 cPCI synchronous WAN adapter. The standards-based adapters help Tropico-RA call processing identify incoming traffic as either voice or data and direct the calls to a traditional TDM trunk or to an IP network.

"We have selected Digi for this development because of our strong existing relationship and because of their solid technical expertise with voice and data integration," said Americo Richieri, president of Tropico. "We believe the resulting developments will further strengthen the capabilities of the Tropico-RA switch and will enhance its attractiveness to the global telecommunications market."

Open CompactPCI Standard Gains Strength

Switch makers such as Tropico are attracted to CompactPCI (cPCI) products over traditional desktop PCI boards because they are more reliable and scalable. The cPCI standard supports hot swapping and is more robust and extensible so more boards can be installed in a single chassis (often eight). CompactPCI also provides support for the H.110 supplementary bus standard, which is more advanced than the traditional MVIP and SCSA standards.

Digi is unveiling both cPCI DataFire adapters at the Networld + Interop trade show this week in Atlanta. They complement Digi's existing line of PCI-based AccelePort and DataFire access adapters, which provide digital and analog connectivity for open-server remote access, faxing, routing, and other communications applications running on Windows NT, Novell Netware, UNIX, and Linux.

About Digi International

Digi International (Nasdaq: DGII), based in Minneapolis, is a leading worldwide provider of voice and data communications hardware and software that delivers seamless connectivity solutions for open systems, server-based remote access and LAN markets. The company markets its products through a global network of distributors and resellers, system integrators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). For more information, visit Digi's Web site at www.digi.com or call 1-800-344-4273 (U.S.) or (612) 912-3444 (International).

About Tropico SA

Tropico Systems and Telecommunications SA, based in Campinas, Brazil, is a supplier of telecommunication products and solutions in Brazil with over five million lines of its technology sold, corresponding to 30 percent of all digital central offices for public telephony in the country. Its main product, named Tropico RA, is a central office switch that ranges from small to very high capacity, and is able to support 100,000 subscribers. The company markets its products directly and can be contacted by phone at +55-19-707-3977 or fax at +55-19-707-3779. For more information, visit Tropico's Web site at www.tropicosa.com.br.

Digi, Digi International, the Digi logo, and DataFire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Digi International Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other brand names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

     --30--bh/ny*

     CONTACT: Digi International
              S. Krishnan
              612-912-3125
              s.krishnan@digi.com
              or
              Digi International
              Chris Chilton
              612-912-3111
              chris.chilton@digi.com
              or
              TSI Communications
              Gary Baker
              212-696-2000
              gbaker@tsicomm.com

     KEYWORD: MINNESOTA 
     INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED TELECOMMUNICATIONS
BANKING INTERACTIVE/MULTIMEDIA/INTERNET