SAN JOSE, Calif. (March 20, 2001) - Force Computers, a Solectron company (NYSE:SLR) and a leader in embedded computing, and ZNYX Networks, a leading provider of High Availability networking and telecommunications products, have combined resources to produce a line of Compact Packet-Switching Backplane (CPSB) platforms. Dubbed the Centellis™ CO 21000-12U series, these platforms integrate ZNYX's leading-edge Ethernet switch technology into Force's NEBS Level 3 design Centellis chassis to provide the ideal solution for network infrastructure applications. Third-generation (3G) wireless, Internet protocol (IP) and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) functionality are prime examples where CPSB platforms enhance network utilization by consolidating multiple rack components into one CompactPCI® system.

"With these CPSB platforms, Force continues to supply its customers with innovative, market-leading, open systems-based embedded solutions," said Chris Williams, Force vice president of Standard & Telecom Platforms, the Americas. "Based on interest expressed by leading telecom OEMs and data comm startups, the Centellis CO 21000-12U series will be integrated in many rack-space-saving network solutions."

Closely adhering to the latest draft of the PICMG 2.16 Compact Packet-Switching Backplane specification, the Centellis CO 21000-12U series has been engineered to be easily integrated into larger systems, so communications equipment developers can immediately start designing and implementing it into products. And developers can take advantage of Force's open-systems expertise that's been leveraged into these CPSB platforms, which is reflected in redundant, hot-swappable features like:

- Linux™-based ZNYX OpenArchitect™ ZX4500 Ethernet switches (with eight external ports each)
- N+1, 500W 48V power supplies (1500W total power)
- Dual fan trays
- Up to four 3.5-inch media bays

In addition, the Centellis CO 21000-12U platforms offer 14 PICMG 2.16 draft specification Link slots, a 12U FaultZone™ NEBS Level 3 design, 19- or 23-inch rack-mounts and an optional Telecom Alarm Module (TAM).

The ZNYX Networks OpenArchitect™ ZX4500 Linux-on-silicon application switch provides carrier-grade features for Layers 2 and 3 in the Centellis CO 21000-12U platforms. The switch allows OEMs to implement multi-Gigabit Ethernet switching applications on silicon and run open-source, commercial-off-the-shelf networking applications without modification. The new Force platform includes two OpenArchitect ZX4500 non-blocking switches, providing switch-to-switch and port-to-port failover, 64Mbytes buffer RAM and line-rate forwarding of over 6.6 million packets a second.

"OpenArchitect will help OEM designers to cut project development time in half," said Connie Austin, ZNYX Networks president and CEO. "Our switching-on-silicon technology offers the performance of hardware with the flexibility of using standard or customized Linux networking applications."

Force and ZNYX will demo the first member of the Centellis CO 21000-12U series-the Centellis CO 21542-12U-at the Spring 2001 Voice on the Net (VON) trade show, March 20-23, in Phoenix. See the demo in the Phoenix Civic Center, Booth 222.

ZNYX Networks is the leading provider of open source application switching-on-silicon technology to communications and network Original Equipment Manufacturers. ZNYX Networks provides a CarrierClass™ new-product environment that is comprehensive, adaptable, high performance and fully managed. With ZNYX Networks' OpenArchitect™, customers can design new switching solutions in half the time, running commercial-off-the-shelf networking applications without modification. The company also makes a complementary line of high availability network software and adapters. Its technology enables "five 9's" availability for fault-tolerant network equipment building systems (NEBS-compliant). OEM customer solutions are purchased by carriers, service providers, large enterprises and governments to grow the worldwide telecommunications and Internet infrastructure. ZNYX Networks is privately held. Corporate headquarters are at 48421 Milmont Dr., Fremont, Calif. 94538. Contact ZNYX Networks at (510) 249-0800 or www.znyx.com.

Force Computers (www.forcecomputers.com) was founded in 1981 and is a leading designer and worldwide supplier of standard and custom systems and board-level computer platforms and services for the embedded market. The processor-independent company helps its customers develop embedded applications based on Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC™, PowerQUICC™, SPARC®, StrongARM and 68K™, and Intel® Pentium® processors for embedded UNIX®, Linux™, Windows NT® and real-time applications. Force supports VME, CompactPCI®, PI, PCI/ISA and PMC bus architectures as well as custom form factors. An ISO 9001 certified company, Force Computers practices Total Quality Management principles in all phases of the company's global operations. The company, along with its parent company, Solectron Corporation, is the 1997 winner of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for manufacturing. Force's corporate headquarters and Asia Pacific headquarters is located in San Jose, California. Force's European headquarters is located in Munich, Germany.