Upgrade to Accelerated Technology's Nucleus Point-to-Point Protocol Software Benefits Embedded Networking Developers

MOBILE, Ala. - Dec. 14, 2004 - Accelerated Technology®, a Mentor Graphics division (Nasdaq: MENT), today announced an upgrade to the Nucleus® Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) software. This release of the Nucleus PPP software will give networking developers advanced features including multi-link PPP support, integrated hooks to support future networking protocols, support for Microsoft PPP Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) extensions version 1 and version 2 and support for Microsoft Direct Cable Connection Protocol.

The Nucleus PPP software has been enhanced with multi-link PPP support as per RFC1990 to provide for increased data throughput. For example, with multi-link PPP support, two PPP links can act as one virtual link, which provides twice the throughput performance. This is beneficial for developers who want to increase the performance of their PPP-enabled products. In order to provide Nucleus developers with a PPP solution that is ready for future Nucleus networking protocols, integrated hooks have been added allowing support for future protocols.

The Nucleus PPP software upgrade also offers support for Microsoft PPP Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) extensions version 1 and version 2. The PPP CHAP extensions increase authentication security over the original CHAP specification. This upgrade extends the Nucleus PPP software by providing increased compatibility with Microsoft Windows as per Microsoft specifications (RFC 2433 & RFC2759).

The final feature added to the Nucleus PPP software upgrade is support for Microsoft Direct Cable Connection Protocol. This protocol allows developers to create PPP connections between the Nucleus kernel and the Windows OS without the need for a modem or a phone line, since the requirement of a modem or phone can be both costly and cumbersome during the development cycle.

"With the addition of new protocols such as multi-link PPP and the Microsoft CHAP extensions, the Nucleus PPP software's feature list continues to grow. This additional support complements our recently released Nucleus NET software upgrade to meet the requirements of today's and tomorrow's connected devices," said Robert Day, director of marketing, Embedded Systems Division, Mentor Graphics.
 
Pricing and Availability
The Nucleus embedded software is sold in source code format and without royalty fees. Licenses for the Nucleus PPP software begin at U.S. $2,995. For more information, please contact Accelerated Technology by phone at 800-468-6853 or via e-mail at info@acceleratedtechnology.com.
 
About Mentor Graphics
Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of about $675 million and employs approximately 3,800 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777; Silicon Valley headquarters are located at 1001 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131-2314. World Wide Web site: http://www.mentor.com/.

Accelerated Technology, a division of Mentor Graphics Corporation, is located in Mobile, Alabama with sales offices and distributors worldwide. By providing embedded systems developers with a focus on service, well-documented source code and industry-leading non-royalty-based Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) software including modeling software, prototyping tools, kernels, middleware and development tools. AT's suite of products shorten time-to-market and provide a complete solution for engineers. For more information, please visit www.acceleratedtechnology.com or email us at info@acceleratedtechnology.com.
 
Mentor Graphics, Accelerated Technology and Nucleus are registered trademarks of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.