Press Release

Data Connection to Provide Integrated CLI, Web, XML and SNMP Management using embeddedMIND from Silicon & Software Systems

London, UK and Dublin, Ireland: March 16, 2004. Data Connection Limited (DCL) and Silicon & Software Systems (S3) announced today that DCL has selected S3's embeddedMIND as a management platform for its successful MPLS and IP Routing software. By incorporating embeddedMIND, DCL can provide a multiprotocol management interface (CLI, TL1, Web, XML and SNMP) for all its networking products.

DCL develops the leading portable protocol source code for packet and optical network devices. Its efficient and robust software is designed for the demanding requirements of Next Generation networks, with support for Traffic Engineering, VPN, optical (GMPLS), fault tolerant, and massively scaled environments. All its products are fully unit and system tested, and are backed by its unrivaled support service, which includes direct access to development engineers.

S3's embeddedMIND platform allows network equipment manufacturers to offer advanced management functionality to remote network administrators via standards-based protocols including SNMP, CLI, TL1 and XML / HTTP. embeddedMIND's unique Plug&Manage architecture greatly reduces the cost of development and maintenance of embedded management software and offers advanced features such as transactional, concurrent, secure and reliable processing of management requests and notifications. embeddedMIND is delivered with the MINDConstructor visual code development toolkit, which supports the development of completely new management systems, the import of existing SNMP MIBS or integration with legacy systems.

"We wanted to offer more management options to our customers without having to replace our existing management functionality, and embeddedMIND fitted the bill," said Matthew Finlayson, VP Development and Requirements, DCL. "Our customers can further benefit by using embeddedMIND to manage all of their product components, providing a flexible set of management interfaces to both new and legacy systems."

"DCL's protocol products and the communication infrastructure equipment into which they are deployed are perfect examples of where embeddedMIND can add value," said Jim O'Donoghue, General Manager of S3's Network Processing Business Unit. "DCL's network protocol software, like S3's embeddedMIND, is designed for the demanding requirements of next generation networking equipment: scalability, portability, performance and maintainability."

About Silicon & Software Systems

Silicon & Software Systems Ltd. (S3) is an established designer of embedded communications products and solutions. S3 combines its communications infrastructure systems expertise with its strong partnerships with NP vendors, Software vendors, ASIC vendors and Foundries to deliver total solutions in areas such as ATM, IP, QoS, Ethernet, Content Classification and Security.

S3 was founded in Dublin, Ireland in 1986 and has operations in five countries: Ireland, U.S., the Netherlands, Poland and the Czech Republic. S3 specializes in System Level Design and Integration in four market areas: Communication Infrastructure, Digital Consumer, Wireless and Medical Systems. Since 1986 S3 has successfully developed products for an established base of Network Equipment and Semiconductor Companies. Approximately 50% of clients are U.S. based with the remainder based in Europe and the Asia/Pacific region. For more information see http://www.s3group.com/ and http://www.embeddedmind.com.

About Data Connection Limited

Data Connection Limited (DCL) is the leading independent developer and supplier of IP Routing, MPLS, SIP, MGCP/Megaco, ATM, Conferencing, Unified Messaging, Directory and SNA portable products. Customers include ARRIS, Calient, CIENA, Cisco, Fujitsu, Hitachi, IBM Corp., Lucent, Microsoft, NEC, Nortel Networks, and Sun. Its MetaSwitch division develops and manufactures a carrier-class Next Generation Class 5 Switch for telecommunications service providers.

Data Connection is headquartered in London UK, with US offices in Reston, VA and Alameda, CA. It was founded in 1981 and is privately held. During each of the past 22 years its profits have exceeded 20% of revenue. Last year sales exceeded $40M, of which over 90% were outside the UK, mostly in the US.

For more information, see www.dataconnection.com.

Data Connection is a trademark of Data Connection Limited and Data Connection Corporation. embeddedMIND is a trademark of Silicon & Software Systems. All trademarks contained herein (whether registered or not) and all associated rights are recognized.