Date: Sun, 4 May 1997 09:53:34 -0400 From: DIGITAL PRESS RELEASE Subject: Press/DIGITAL Adds Power-Saving Feature to Network Chips |||||| Digital Press and Analysts News |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 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 ============================================================================ Digital Press and Analysts News is sent as a courtesy to members of the press, analyst and consulting community. For subscription information please contact pr-news@pa.dec.com. All Digital press releases, fact sheets and backgrounders are archived on ftp.digital.com in the /pub/Digital/info/pr-news directory. 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