MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 17, 2000--Digi International(R) (Nasdaq: DGII), the world's leading supplier of communications adapters, today announced that it is implementing a broad technology and marketing initiative designed to offer industry-leading support for Microsoft's newly-launched Windows 2000 operating system.

Drivers for virtually all Digi(TM) products, including its DataFire(R) and AccelePort(R) cards, are now either shipping with every copy of Windows 2000 or available on the Digi Web site. Digi has also launched an in-depth program to provide resellers and integrators with marketing support and technical guidance that will enable them to configure, build and sell server-based communications solutions on the Windows 2000 platform.

Digi provides the industry's broadest array of communications adapters, including: DSP-based multifunction adapters with integrated modems for synchronous and asynchronous communications; multiport serial adapters; digital adapters; and terminal servers. These adapters are used in the following markets: modem-pooling; remote access; advanced fax; Internet access; Internet point-of-presence (POP); branch office internetworking; retail point-of-sale; data collection; and industrial control.

Digi adapters are already the standard for building server-based communications solutions under Windows NT. Windows 2000 offers many improvements and new features which will make it more attractive. The new operating system provides improved reliability and improved ease of installation for adapter cards. Relevant technical enhancements to Windows 2000 include expanded security features for virtual private networking and additional technical functionality for remote access.

"The market for server-based communications solutions is expanding rapidly, and Windows 2000 will definitely help fuel its growth," said Joseph Dunsmore, president and CEO of Digi International. "Windows 2000 offers an exceptional platform for everything from traditional remote access applications to virtual private networking. We anticipate that this is an opportunity which channel partners will want to take advantage of, so we've made it as easy as possible for them to jump on board with Windows 2000."

Today, Digi is participating in the Microsoft Windows 2000 launch events in six cities: New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Boston. Digi is offering broader driver support for Windows 2000 than any other communications adapter vendor, and drivers for virtually all of Digi's products are either included with every copy of Windows 2000 that Microsoft sells, or available from the Digi Web site.

Digi is now offering partners a series of white papers and technical documents that will help them to both migrate existing Windows NT solutions to Windows 2000, and build new ones. Digi's ServerPowered.com Web site (www.ServerPowered.com), designed as the Web's most comprehensive resource for server-based communications, is being expanded to include information that will help resellers and integrators bring to market solutions based on the Windows 2000 platform.

Windows 2000 includes a range of enhancements that will make it an exceptional platform for server-based communications solutions. These include:

• Enhanced Reliability & Stability - Microsoft has made improving Windows 2000 reliability over Windows NT a major focus of its development efforts. A total of 500 person years and $162 million in people and tools were dedicated to improving Windows 2000 reliability. Add to this Digi's reputation for dependability and solid performance, and you have a very stable server-based communications solution.
• Faster and Easier Solutions Installation - The Hardware Wizard feature within Windows 2000 allows for very easy installation of ISA boards. In addition, drivers included with Windows 2000 will enable installation of virtually any device (PCI, PCMCIA, USB) with almost no user involvement. This will make it even easier for systems integrators who already benefit from the easy installation of Digi communications adapters.
• Improved Embedded RAS Technology - Microsoft has extended support of many new protocols, offering greater flexibility and a wider variety of hosts. The extended encryption and authorization support also allows for easier network management.
• More Secure Virtual Private Networking - Windows 2000 support of IPSec and Layer-2 forwarding standards allows easy, natural installation and increased security for VPN.

Digi International

Digi International (Nasdaq: DGII), based in Minneapolis, is a leading worldwide provider of voice and data communications hardware and software delivering 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 (800) 344-4273 (U.S.) or (612) 912-3444 (International).

Digi, Digi International, the Digi logo, DataFire RAS and AccelePort RAS 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.

Certain statements made in this release are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are not guaranties of the company's future performance. Important factors could cause actual results to defer materially include, but are not limited to the following: rapid changes in products and technologies that may displace products sold by Digi, the competitive industry within which Digi operates, Digi's reliance on distributors, declining prices of networking products, and changes in the companies level of profitability.

CONTACT:
Financial Contacts:
S. (Kris) Krishnan, Digi International, Inc.
(612) 912-3125 or s_krishnan@digi.com
or
Don DeLaria, Digi International Inc.
(612) 912-3126 or don_delaria@digi.com
PRESS CONTACTS:
Chris Chilton, Digi International Inc.
(612) 912-3111 or chris_chilton@digi.com
or
Gary Baker/David Vermillion, TSI Communications
(PR for Digi)
(212) 696-2000 or gbaker@tsicomm.com