Date:    Sun, 4 May 1997 09:53:34 -0400
From:    DIGITAL PRESS RELEASE
Subject: Press/DIGITAL Adds Power-Saving Feature to Network Chips


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                                              Digital Equipment Corporation
                                          Maynard, Massachusetts 01754-2571

Editorial contact:

    Lois Marie
    (508) 568-6625

         DIGITAL Adds Power-Saving Feature to Network Chips;
                Supports Power Management Initiatives

             ...Remote Wakeup Offers Economic Benefits,
                    Preserves Network Security...

MAYNARD, Mass., April 30, 1997 -- Digital Equipment Corporation 
today announced a new remote wakeup capability for its 21143 PCI 
Fast Ethernet chip.  The power- and cost-saving capability includes 
a unique password protection feature to ensure security and system 
integrity for remote local area network (LAN) systems.

     Digital Semiconductor, a Digital Equipment Corporation 
business, also stated its support for industry standardization 
initiatives to enable power management and conservation in corporate 
and mobile computing environments.

     "In an era of global commerce, companies and networked systems 
never sleep," said Christopher DeMers, networks marketing manager at 
Digital Semiconductor.  "Finding effective power management and 
energy conservation solutions is extremely important for reasons of 
cost, natural resource conservation, and equipment longevity.  
Industry-wide solutions require standards, and we enthusiastically 
support their formulation and adoption."

     DeMers added that Digital Semiconductor supports the OnNow 
industry design initiative for system and power control led by 
Microsoft Corporation, as well as the Advanced Configuration and 
Power Interface (ACPI) specification, proposed by Microsoft, Intel, 
and Toshiba America, for power management on PCs.

Enhanced Technology for Fast Ethernet Chips

     Digital Semiconductor's implementation of remote power-up 
technology is available on its 21143 PCI/Cardbus Fast Ethernet chip.  
The embedded feature uses a security-enhanced version of Magic 
Packet technology developed by Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.  Magic 
Packet software enables a LAN host system to activate remote, 
unattended systems for receipt of messages, file transfers, and 
system management, even from a power-down condition, by dispatching 
specially constructed message packets over the network.

     To function in wakeup-ready mode, only a remote system's 21143 
chip-based LAN interface card must retain power, while the rest of 
the system may be shut down.  Upon detection of the specially 
addressed wakeup message from the host system, the 21143 chip 
verifies the request's authenticity and issues a command to restore 
power and network access to the remote system.

Unique Security Features

     Digital Semiconductor's unique SecureON password protection 
technology enhances Magic Packet software to prevent unauthorized 
access to LAN systems and resources.  With SecureON, the 21143 chip 
ignores wakeup messages that lack the correct password.  SecureON 
also prevents unauthorized attempts to alter either password or mode 
of operation, and records all hostile attempts.

     "Remote wakeup with enhanced security is a highly useful 
technology and provides money-saving benefits for LAN users," said 
DeMers.  "It enables the essential shutdown of PCs and systems 
during off-hours, reducing electricity consumption and equipment 
wear.  It preserves system availability to receive or transmit 
information when needed.  Digital Semiconductor is committed to 
helping users achieve efficient resource utilization, both when 
traffic is heavy and when it's light."

     Digital Semiconductor, a Digital Equipment Corporation business 
headquartered in Hudson, Massachusetts, designs, manufactures and 
markets industry-leading semiconductor products including Alpha 
microprocessors and PCI chips for networking, bridging, and 
multimedia, plus low-power StrongARM microprocessors under license 
from Advanced RISC Machines Ltd.  Mitsubishi Electric Corporation 
and Samsung Electronics Company Ltd. are alternate sources for Alpha 
microprocessors.  Web site:  http://www.digital.com/semiconductor

     Digital Equipment Corporation is a world leader in open client/
server solutions from personal computing to integrated worldwide 
information systems.  Digital's scalable Alpha and Intel platforms, 
storage, networking, software and services, together with industry-
focused solutions from business partners, help organizations compete 
and win in today's global marketplace.
                                ####

Note to Editors:  Digital, Digital Semiconductor, SecureON, and the 
                  Digital logo are trademarks of Digital Equipment 
                  Corporation.  Magic Packet is a trademark of 
                  Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.  StrongARM is a 
                  trademark of Advanced RISC Machines Ltd.  Intel is 
                  a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.

CORP/97/637

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