MOTOROLA WILL OFFER preconfigured communications protocol software with its PCI mezzanine cards (PMCs), along with operating system drivers, allowing OEMs to sell the software to service providers without extra programming labor, the company announced Wednesday. The devices integrate software protocols for frame relay, LAPD (Link Access Procedure-D), and SS7/MTP2 (Signaling System 7/Message Transfer Part 2). That software runs on the MPMC860 communications adapter PCI card, using Motorola's MPC860 integrated microprocessor and peripheral combination, as well as the MPMC8260 communications adapter, using the MPC8260 microprocessor for telecommunications and networking applications. The software is tested, certified and fully integrated with Motorola's PMCs, the company said. The Motorola Computer Group business unit produces the software and hardware. The frame relay and LAPD products have a suggested list price of $695 per system, whereas OEMs will pay for the actual number of links needed on SS7 cards at the suggested list price of $150 per link. The products are immediately available, said Paul Virgo, a Motorola product marketing director. Motorola, of Schaumburg, Ill., plans to include similar support for more Compact PCI communication boards and operating systems in the future, the company said.
