From: dvermillion@tsicomm.com
To: lwn@lwn.net
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 11:18:52 -0500
Subject: Digi, Sumisho and IPC Market Linux POPs in Japan


For more information regarding Digi International,
visit http://www.digi.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Digi Adapters Deployed by Sumisho Datacom and Internet Pro Corporation
for Linux-based Internet POP Solutions in Japan

Minneapolis, February 22, 2000 - Sumisho Datacom (Sumisho) and Internet Pro
Corporation (IPC) have chosen RAS (Remote Access Server) products from Digi
International(r) Inc. (Nasdaq: DGII), the world's leading provider of
communications adapters, to help build Linux-based Internet point-of-presence
(POP) servers for Japan's fast-growing community of Internet service providers
(ISPs).

Linux-based systems incorporating Digi(tm) DataFire RAS(tm) adapters make ideal
POP servers for ISPs, offering benefits such as high performance, reliability,
and scalability at a cost-per-port significantly lower than router-based
solutions.  The first project, comprising 78 servers, has been deployed and is
successfully operating in a high-traffic 24x7x365 application.

As part of the agreement, Sumisho, Digi's distributor to Japan for the past
seven years, is supplying Digi RAS products as well as strategic marketing
support.  IPC, Japan's premier telecommunications consulting company, is
providing hardware and system integration services to configure the POPs.  IPC
will also provide marketing and sales support, training and maintenance.

Sumisho and IPC are marketing Pentium-based PC Servers equipped with Digi
DataFire RAS 24/48 remote access adapters and running Red Hat Linux.  The two
companies are initially targeting small- and medium-sized ISPs, with plans to
expand into the large ISP and corporate IT markets.  Product offerings are
scalable from 24 to 384 ports in a single server.

"Server-powered communications provides the perfect solution for the rapidly
expanding Internet services market in Japan," said Joseph Dunsmore, Digi
president and chief executive officer.  "For smaller ISPs in the emerging
Japanese market, low cost of ownership is a key factor in building a broad
networking infrastructure.  A Linux-based PC server equipped with DataFire
adapters represents a highly versatile, reliable POP solution at a reasonable
price."

The increasing popularity of the Linux operating system among Japanese
companies was another key factor in Sumisho's decision to build Linux-based
systems incorporating Digi DataFire adapters.  According to the results of
a recent survey entitled "First Linux Market Survey," conducted by the
Research Department of Nikkei Business Publications, Inc., installation of
Linux as the standard operating system (OS) among Japanese companies is
expected to increase 25 percent in coming years, to eventually capture 30
percent of the Japanese OS market.  The majority of those polled cited low
cost as a determining factor in adopting Linux.

According to Sumisho's President, Eric Takaya, "Digi products are integral to
our mission to accommodate the expansion of the Japanese ISP market.  ISDN
deregulation is changing the face of the Japanese telcom industry, finally
making affordable Internet access available to everyone.  Digi DataFire
adapters offer the scalability ISPs will need to grow along with the
demand."  The agreement between the three companies comes in response to
the growth of the Japanese ISP market following Nippon Telegraph and
Telephone Corp.'s conversion to fixed rate charges for Internet access in
early 1999.  Deregulation of ISDN charges in Japan has reduced both retail
and wholesale rates for Internet access, resulting in tremendous growth
within the Japanese ISP industry and an increasing need for robust,
cost-effective connectivity solutions.  Digi's DataFire adapters use
advanced dense modem technology to provide low-cost connectivity and
scalability to meet customers' future growth demands.  Digi's built-in
modems use the latest advances in Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
technology, resulting in the industry's highest density of on-board modems
for a RAS adapter.

About Digi International...Bringing Server-Powered Communications to the World
Digi International, based in Minneapolis, is a leading world-wide provider of
voice and data communications hardware and software that delivers 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).

About Sumisho Datacom...Japan's Network Solution

Sumisho Datacom Inc. (SDC) provides total solutions for corporate network
systems. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, SDC was established in July 1992 by
Japan's largest trading house, Sumitomo Corporation, and Sumisho Computer
Systems Corporation. One of the largest distribution companies in Japan,
Sumisho provides products in such areas as Internet, intranet, remote
access, backup, LAN, and fax communications, directly to end users or
through the Sumisho distribution division.

About Internet Pro...Connecting to the Future
Established in 1996, Internet Pro Corporation, based in Tokyo, is the
preeminent provider of advanced system integration technology and
telecommunications consulting services to Japan, offering services such as
corporate leased line internet connection, communication network system
consulting and Internet / extranet integration.  With a client base that
includes Japan's largest telecommunications carriers, Internet Pro
Corporation has quickly positioned itself on the forefront of Japan's
rapidly developing communications infrastructure.

# # #

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


FINANCIAL CONTACTS:

S. (Kris) Krishnan, Digi International, Inc.
(612) 912-3125 or s_krishnan@digi.com

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

Gary Baker/David Vermillion, TSI Communications (PR for Digi)
(212) 696-2000 or gbaker@tsicomm.com