OEMs, Resellers and Integrators Can Now Quickly Develop and Bring to Market Converged Network Solutions Supporting Today's Leading Real-Time Operating Systems

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 2000--Digi International(R) Inc. (Nasdaq: DGII), the world's leading provider of adapters for server-based communications, announced today the availability of its DataFire(R) SYNC 2000 Driver Development Kit (DDK). With the free toolkit, Digi(TM) extends the value of the DataFire SYNC 2000 family of synchronous WAN (wide area network) communication adapters by helping developers to quickly write reliable, robust drivers for today's leading real-time operating systems, including Hard Hat Linux, Lineo Linux, QNX, VxWorks and others. Real-time operating systems are frequently used to support converged network telecommunications, embedded systems solutions and other mission critical applications.

Asita Technologies, a UK-based high-speed networking solutions provider, recently used the new toolkit to significantly reduce driver development times for DataFire SYNC 2000 adapters used in conjunction with Asita's routing and switching software for real-time operating systems.

The DataFire SYNC 2000 DDK helps OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), resellers and integrators improve their responsiveness to growing customer demands for server-based WAN solutions. With easily navigable driver sample codes and a comprehensive data set, users can write directly to the DataFire SYNC 2000 application protocol interface (API) and bring a broad array of WAN solutions to market quickly, as well as develop DataFire SYNC 2000 drivers for real-time operating systems.

"The DataFire SYNC 2000 DDK delivers unmatched value for OEMs, resellers and integrators interested in expanding their solutions reach into server-based telecommunications," said Joseph Dunsmore, Digi president and chief executive officer. "The growing market for server-based telecommunications solutions is fostered by cost-effective, robust communication adapters that perform a variety of converged gateway functions. The DDK expands the availability of these solutions by expediting the driver development process, delivering the power and reliability of the DataFire SYNC 2000 to customers faster than ever before."

DataFire SYNC 2000 WAN communication adapters enhance the converged voice and data gateways used by telecommunications carriers, performing a broad range of real-time, server-based routing and switching applications through the Signaling System 7 (SS7) international standard. Among other functions, the adapters enable telecommunications gateways to off-load data transmissions to separate dedicated channels, helping to increase volume capacity on a carrier's voice network and improving the overall efficiency of the converged gateways. The DataFire SYNC 2000 DDK will enable OEMs, resellers and integrators to quickly bring such solutions to market and help fuel the growth of server-based telecommunications applications.

"The DataFire SYNC 2000 DDK reduced our development time for drivers supporting Asita's Jedi Software Engine (JSE) for multimedia and convergent networking applications by 35 percent," said Angus Goldfinch, chief technology officer, Asita Technologies. "With its driver sample codes and extensive data set, the toolkit enables us to quickly integrate and deliver Asita's state-of-the art JSE and DataFire SYNC 2000 routing and switching solutions to our customers, giving us a marked advantage in the expanding Open IP Networking marketplace."

The DataFire SYNC 2000 DDK will also support driver development for the Digi family of DataFire SYNC 570 and 570i high-speed two- and four-port synchronous adapters for ISA, Micro Channel and PCI Systems.

About the DataFire SYNC 2000

The Digi DataFire SYNC 2000 is a family of intelligent synchronous communication adapters that provide advanced server-based WAN solutions. Available in two-port and four-port models, the DataFire SYNC 2000 supports Frame Relay, X.25, and PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) under SCO UnixWare 7.01 and Microsoft Windows NT. SNA is also supported when combined with Microsoft's BackOffice or IBM's eNetwork Communications Server.

Digi International

Digi International (Nasdaq: DGII), based in Minneapolis, is a leading world-wide 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 OEMs. For more information, visit the Digi Web site at www.digi.com or call (800) 344-4273 (U.S.) or (952) 912-3444 (International).

Asita Technologies

Asita Technologies develops and markets Routers2Go (R2Go), the world's first commercial high speed router switch based on proven, standard PC components and cards powered by Asita's unique Jedi Software Engine. Asita is a leading supplier of advanced networking products and technologies for secure electronic commerce, application aware networking and communication needs of demanding end users throughout all industries and across all business sectors. All products are based on the Open IP Networking concept for both hardware and software. For more information, visit Asita's Web site at www.asitatech.com.

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

CONTACT:
Financial Contacts:
S. (Kris) Krishnan, Digi International, Inc.
(952) 912-3125 or s_krishnan@digi.com
or
Don DeLaria, Digi International Inc.
(952) 912-3126 or don_delaria@digi.com
or
PRESS CONTACTS:
Gary Baker/David Vermillion, TSI Communications
(PR for Digi)
(212) 696-2000 or gbaker@tsicomm.com