2/1/98 Modem User News (Pg. Unavail. Online)(SEE BOLD BELOW)
1998 WL 2076244
Modem User News
Copyright 1998 Information Access Company. All rights reserved.
Sunday, February 1, 1998
Vol. 10, No. 2
EICON LAUNCHES EXTERNAL ISDN MODEM WITH AUTO-SPID
Eicon Technology Corporation (TSE:EIC), Montreal, Canada, the a
leader in ISDN cards, has introduced its external DIVA T/A ISDN Modem.
This external terminal adapter is the first ever to combine the
advanced functionality of Auto-SPID and Auto- Switch detection with
AO/DI (Always On Dynamic ISDN) for flexible bandwidth management and
advanced voice calling features. The ISDN Modem provides users with an
unmatched level of versatility and ease-of-use in ISDN communications.
With full support for analog devices including standard phone and fax
machines, the DIVA T/A ISDN Modem is designed to consolidate the small
office/home office (SOHO) environment into a single ISDN line,
providing high-performance data transmission and secure access to
corporate networks and the Internet. The modem has a throughput of 128
Kbps and up to 512 Kbps with on board compression. Phone services
supported include Caller ID, call waiting, holding, transfer, 3-way
calling and distinctive ringing.
"Eicon is bringing the technical depth we acquired as the world
leader in PCMCIA cards to the desktop with our new external modem,"
said Peter Geier, Eicon's ISDN Marketing Manager, Americas. "Nothing on
the market today has the functionality, ease-of-use and versatility of
the DIVA T/A ISDN Modem. This modem reflects that there is more to
remote access than speed. When connecting to the Internet and corporate
resources from the home office, users need the flexibility and
functionality that will allow them to conduct true multi-tasking.
Because of its AO/DI functionality, Eicon's DIVA T/A ISDN Modem allows
users to receive e-mail, send a fax and conduct a regular phone call --
all simultaneously and with the digital clarity that ISDN provides."
"The United States is experiencing an explosive period of growth for
ISDN," said Walt Mansell, senior product manager, Compaq Computer
Corporation, and president of VIA (Vendors ISDN Association). "With
ISDN installations expected to grow from 1 million in 1996 to 4.5
million by the year 2000, users will demand products that make ISDN
connections as easy as a traditional phone call is today. Eicon's DIVA
T/A ISDN Modem has the ease-of-use and features that will bring ISDN
into the mainstream of remote access communications."
Ease-of-Use
The DIVA T/A ISDN Modem includes Auto-SPID and SPID-Wizard features,
making ISDN installation as easy as using a traditional analog modem.
Auto-SPID is an industry-wide initiative that automatically
"negotiates" a connection to the telecom provider by downloading the
SPID numbers from the digital switch. SPID-Wizard automatically runs
through all possible SPID numbers to interface with the telecom
provider's digital switch. Combined, these features provide true
plug-and-play ISDN connectivity.
Eicon's DIVA T/A ISDN Modem also supports Auto-Switch detection which
automatically analyzes the protocol for each telecom provider's digital
switch and transparently arranges for the connection back to the modem.
Additionally, users running Windows 95, Windows NT and Windows 3.x can
use Eicon's on-screen Setup Wizard.
Always On/Dynamic ISDN
Eicon's DIVA T/A ISDN Modem is ready for AO/DI, a new standard
promoted by VIA and strongly supported by Eicon, that makes optimal use
of the bandwidth inherent to ISDN technology by providing constant
connectivity to the end-user without always using the bandwidth of the
B channel. A Beta version is available now, and the official firmware
is planned for early 1998. AO/DI makes use of the lower-bandwidth ISDN
D channel. When greater bandwidth is required, B channels are
automatically accessed through BACP or Bandwidth on Demand (BOD). This
strategy allows users to remain actively connected to a remote LAN or
the Internet without wasting capacity and provides immediate access to
expanded bandwidth (B channel) when data activity increases. By
maintaining an active ISDN connection without paying for a continual B
channel connection, overall costs are reduced and telcos and ISPs can
make more efficient use of open bandwidth and handle traffic loads with
efficient B channel sharing.
A Complete Remote Access Solution
Delivering on the promise of true plug-and-play functionality, the
ISDN Modem comes bundled with all the hardware and software necessary
for users to surf the Internet and conduct virtual business meetings
online. In addition to providing the required cables to connect the
modem to a user's computer and ISDN line, the DIVA T/A ISDN Modem also
includes Microsoft's popular Internet Explorer(tm) and NetMeeting(tm)
software packages. Internet Explorer, combined with the bandwidth
delivered by ISDN, enables users to surf the Internet with increased
ease-of-use and superior access time over traditional modems while
Microsoft's NetMeeting enables business users to conduct virtual
meetings from remote locations with the program's whiteboard sharing
and videoconferencing functionality.
Technical Specifications
Eicon's DIVA T/A ISDN Modem supports Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows
3.x, OS/2 and DOS operating systems and includes serial and ISDN ports,
two analog ports and 10 LED indicators. The ISDN Modem is compatible
with all leading manufacturers of access servers and routers that
adhere to such industry standards as Multilink PPP, BACP, Stacker-LZS,
MPPC, Ascend Compression, PAP, SPAP, MS-CHAP and CHAP support and
encrypted authentication including Secure ID.
Pricing and Availability
The DIVA T/A ISDN Modem will be available in January 1998 with a
suggested retail price of $349 and $399 for S/T and U interface
versions respectively.
Eicon Technology Corporation
Eicon Technology Corporation is a worldwide provider of remote access
solutions for personal computers. The company develops, markets and
supports hardware and software products for connecting PCs to the
Internet, corporate networks and host computers. The products are sold
in more than 70 countries through an extensive distribution network.
Eicon Technology shares are traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange and
the Montreal Exchange under the symbol EIC. Eicon Technology can be
found on the World Wide Web at eicon.com.
For more information, call 514-745-5500.
---- INDEX REFERENCES ----
COMPANY (TICKER): EICON TECHNOLOGY CORP. (T.EIC)
MARKET SECTOR: Technology (TEC)
INDUSTRY: Communications Technology; Computers; Software (CMT CPR SOF)
Word Count: 933
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