GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES INC
8-K, 1999-05-27
TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH APPARATUS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                        ________________________________

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


          Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) May 14, 1998
                                                           ------------

                        General DataComm Industries, Inc.
                        ---------------------------------
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


             Delaware                     1-8086               06-0853856
    ----------------------------    ----------------------   --------------
   (State or Other Jurisdiction of (Commission File Number)  (IRS Employer
     Incorporation)                                          Identification No.)


                       Middlebury, Connecticut 06762-1299
                       ----------------------------------
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)


        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (203) 574-1118
                                                           --------------



                                       N/A
           ------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)



<PAGE>

Item 5.   Other Events

On May 14, 1999, General DataComm Industries,  Inc. (the "Company") entered into
a new  three-year  $40.0  million  loan and  security  agreement  (the "New Loan
Agreement")  with Foothill Capital  Corporation to provide  additional funds for
operations and replace the Company's existing bank group.

Under the provisions of this New Loan Agreement, the Company's cash availability
would have increased by approximately  $11.0 million (less related closing costs
incurred)  as of March 31,  1999.  Under the New Loan  Agreement,  term loan and
revolver borrowing  availability would have approximated $15.0 million and $25.0
million,  respectively, as of March 31, 1999, representing total availability of
$40.0 million. Under the previous loan agreement,  such availability amounted to
$9.2  million and $19.9  million,  respectively,  or $29.1  million at March 31,
1999.

The New Loan  Agreement is comprised of $15.0  million in term loans and a $25.0
million  (maximum  value)  revolving  line of  credit.  The term loans will bear
interest at an annual rate of 12.5%  during the first year,  13.0% in the second
year and 14.0%  thereafter,  payable monthly.  Commencing in June 2000,  monthly
principal payments in the amount of $312,000 become payable,  and the term loans
are due and  payable  in full  upon  termination  of the New Loan  Agreement.  A
portion of the term loans is  convertible  into the Company's  common stock at a
conversion price of $5.00 per share, or a maximum of 600,000 shares.

Under  the  revolving  line  of  credit  portion  of  the  New  Loan  Agreement,
availability is subject to satisfying a borrowing base formula related to levels
of certain  accounts  receivable and inventories  and the  satisfaction of other
financial covenants. Most assets of the Company,  including accounts receivable,
inventories  and  property,  plant and  equipment  are  pledged  as  collateral.
Interest on revolver  borrowings is payable monthly at the greater of prime plus
0.625% or 7.0% per annum.

Financial  covenants  of the New  Loan  Agreement  require  that  the  Company;s
reported  stockholders;  equity,  excluding  the impact of any foreign  currency
translation  adjustments occurring subsequent to March 31, 1999, equal or exceed
$18.1 million (such stockholders' equity, as defined,  amounted to $33.1 million
at March 31, 1999). Separately, annual capital expenditures of $12.0 million are
authorized under the New Loan Agreement.

Foregoing is a summary of certain terms of the New Loan  Agreement and reference
is made to the entire agreement,  filed with this report as an Exhibit,  for the
full terms thereof.

Item 7.  Financial Statements, Proforma Financial Information and Exhibits

           (c)  Exhibits.

              10.  Loan and Security Agreement between General DataComm
                   Industries, Inc., et al., and Foothill Capital Corporation
                   dated as of May 14, 1999.

                                      - 2 -
<PAGE>




                                   SIGNATURES



Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                           General DataComm Industries, Inc.
                                                     (Registrant)


                                           By: /S/ WILIAM G. HENRY
                                              --------------------
                                               William G. Henry
                                               Vice President, Finance and
                                               Principal Financial Officer



Dated:  May 27, 1999
        ------------


                                      - 3 -



                                                                    Exhibit 10


                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
                                  by and among

                       GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC.,
                             GENERAL DATACOMM, INC.
                          DATACOMM LEASING CORPORATION,
                         VITAL NETWORK SERVICES, L.L.C.,
                              GDC NAUGATUCK, INC.,
                           GDC FEDERAL SYSTEMS, INC.,
                                  as Borrowers

                                       and

                    THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS NAMED HEREIN,
                                   as Lenders

                                       and

                          FOOTHILL CAPITAL CORPORATION,
                                    as Agent

                            Dated as of May 14, 1999

<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                       Page(s)

1.   DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.........................................1
         1.1   Definitions................................................1
         1.2   Accounting Terms..........................................22
         1.3   Code......................................................23
         1.4   Construction..............................................23
         1.5   Schedules and Exhibits....................................23

2.   LOAN AND TERMS OF PAYMENT...........................................23
         2.1   Revolving Advances........................................23
         2.2   Letters of Credit.........................................29
         2.3   Participations in Letters of Credit.......................32
         2.4   Term Loans................................................33
         2.5   Payments..................................................35
         2.6   Overadvances..............................................37
         2.7   Interest and Letter of Credit Fees:  Rates, Payments, and
                 Calculations............................................38
         2.8   Collection of Accounts....................................39
         2.9   Crediting Payments; Application of Collections............40
         2.10   Designated Account.......................................40
         2.11   Maintenance of Loan Account; Statements of Obligations...41
         2.12   Fees.....................................................41
         2.13   Joint and Several Liability of the Borrowers.............42

3.   CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT.......................................44
         3.1   Conditions Precedent to the Initial Advance,
                 Term Loans, and Letter of
                  Credit.................................................44
         3.2   Conditions Precedent to all Advances, all Letters of
                  Credit, and the Term Loans.............................46
         3.3   Condition Subsequent......................................47
         3.4   Term......................................................47
         3.5   Effect of Termination.....................................48
         3.6   Early Termination by Borrower.............................48

4.   CREATION OF SECURITY INTEREST.......................................48
         4.1   Grant of Security Interest................................48
         4.2   Negotiable Collateral.....................................49
         4.3   Collection of Accounts, General Intangibles,
                and Negotiable Collateral................................49
         4.4   Delivery of Additional Documentation Required.............49
         4.5   Power of Attorney.........................................49
         4.6   Right to Inspect..........................................50
         4.7   Control Agreements........................................50
<PAGE>

5.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES......................................50
         5.1   No Encumbrances...........................................50
         5.2   Eligible Accounts.........................................50
         5.3   Eligible Inventory........................................51
         5.4   Equipment.................................................51
         5.5   Location of Inventory and Equipment.......................51
         5.6   Inventory Records.........................................51
         5.7   Location of Chief Executive Office; FEIN..................51
         5.8   Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries..........51
         5.9   Due Authorization; No Conflict............................52
         5.10  Litigation................................................53
         5.11  Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Change..........53
         5.12  Solvency; No Fraudulent Transfer..........................53
         5.13  Employee Benefits.........................................53
         5.14  Environmental Condition...................................54
         5.15  Brokerage Fees............................................54
         5.16  Permits and other Intellectual Property...................54
         5.17  Material Contracts; Restrictive Agreements................55
         5.18  Government Contracts......................................55
         5.19  Year 2000 Compliance......................................55
         5.20  Service Contracts.........................................55

6.   AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS...............................................56
         6.1   Accounting System.........................................56
         6.2   Collateral Reporting......................................56
         6.3   Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates...............57
         6.4   Tax Returns...............................................58
         6.5   Guarantor Reports.........................................58
         6.6   Returns...................................................58
         6.7   Title to Equipment........................................58
         6.8   Maintenance of Equipment..................................58
         6.9   Taxes.....................................................58
         6.10  Insurance.................................................59
         6.11  No Setoffs or Counterclaims...............................60
         6.12  Location of Inventory and Equipment; Segregation of
                 Inventory...............................................60
         6.13  Compliance with Laws......................................61
         6.14  Employee Benefits.........................................61
         6.15  Leases....................................................61
         6.16  Year 2000 Compliance......................................62
         6.17  Broker Commissions........................................62
         6.18  Assignment of Claims Act..................................62
         6.19  Intellectual Property.....................................62

7.   NEGATIVE COVENANTS..................................................62
         7.1   Indebtedness..............................................63
         7.2   Liens.....................................................63

                                       ii
<PAGE>

         7.3   Restrictions on Fundamental Changes.......................63
         7.4   Disposal of Assets........................................64
         7.5   Change Name...............................................64
         7.6   Guarantee.................................................64
         7.7   Nature of Business........................................64
         7.8   Prepayments and Amendments................................64
         7.9   Change of Control.........................................65
         7.10  Consignments..............................................65
         7.11  Distributions.............................................65
         7.12  Accounting Methods........................................65
         7.13  Investments...............................................66
         7.14  Transactions with Affiliates..............................66
         7.15  Suspension................................................66
         7.16  [Intentionally Omitted]...................................66
         7.17  Use of Proceeds...........................................66
         7.18  Change in Location of Chief Executive Office;
                 Inventory and Equipment with Bailees....................66
         7.19  No Prohibited Transactions Under ERISA....................67
         7.20  Financial Covenant........................................67
         7.21  Capital Expenditures......................................68
         7.22  Inactive Subsidiary.......................................68
         7.23  Securities Accounts.......................................68
         7.24  Subsidiary Cash...........................................68

8.   EVENTS OF DEFAULT...................................................68

9.   LENDER GROUP'S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES..................................70
         9.1   Rights and Remedies.......................................70
         9.2   Assignment of Claims Act Notices..........................72
         9.3   Remedies Cumulative.......................................72

10.   TAXES AND EXPENSES.................................................72

11.   WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION...........................................72
         11.1  Demand; Protest; etc......................................72
         11.2  Lender Group's Liability for Collateral...................73
         11.3  Indemnification...........................................73

12.   NOTICES............................................................73

13.   CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER.........................74

14.   DESTRUCTION OF BORROWER'S DOCUMENTS................................75

15.   CONVERSION.........................................................75
         15.1.  Privilege................................................75


                                   iii
<PAGE>

         15.2.  Procedure................................................75
         15.3.  Fractional Shares........................................76
         15.4.  Taxes on Conversion......................................76
         15.5.  Parent to Provide Stock..................................76
         15.6.  Adjustment of Conversion Price...........................76
         15.7.  Notice of Adjustment.....................................79
         15.8   Notice of Certain Transactions...........................79
         15.9.  Effect of Reclassification, Consolidation, Merger
                  or Sale on Conversion Privilege........................79

16.   ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS; SUCCESSORS.........................80
         16.1   Assignments and Participations...........................80
         16.2   Successors...............................................82

17.   AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS................................................83
         17.1   Amendments and Waivers...................................83
         17.2   No Waivers; Cumulative Remedies..........................84

18.   AGENT; LENDER GROUP................................................84
         18.1   Appointment and Authorization of Agent...................84
         18.2   Delegation of Duties.....................................85
         18.3   Liability of Agent-Related Persons.......................85
         18.4   Reliance by Agent........................................86
         18.5   Notice of Default or Event of Default....................86
         18.6   Credit Decision..........................................87
         18.7   Costs and Expenses; Indemnification......................87
         18.8   Agent in Individual Capacity.............................88
         18.9   Successor Agent..........................................88
         18.10  Withholding Tax..........................................88
         18.11  Collateral Matters.......................................90
         18.12  Restrictions on Actions by Lenders; Sharing of Payments..91
         18.13  Agency for Perfection....................................91
         18.14  Payments by Agent to Lenders.............................91
         18.15  Concerning the Collateral and Related Loan Documents.....92
         18.16  Field Audits and Examination Reports; Confidentiality;
                  Disclaimers by Lenders; Other Reports and Information..92
         18.17   Several Obligations; No Liability.......................93

19.   GENERAL PROVISIONS.................................................93
         19.1   Effectiveness............................................93
         19.2   Successors and Assigns...................................94
         19.3   Section Headings.........................................94
         19.4   Interpretation...........................................94
         19.5   Severability of Provisions...............................94
         19.6   Amendments in Writing....................................94
         19.7   Counterparts; Telefacsimile Execution....................94

                                       iv

<PAGE>

         19.8   Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations.................94
         19.9   Integration..............................................95
         19.10  General DataComm as Agent for Borrowers..................95


                                       v
<PAGE>

SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

Schedule C-1        Revolving Credit and Term Loan Commitments
Schedule E-1        Eligible Inventory Locations
Schedule G-1        Guarantors
Schedule P-1        Permitted Liens
Schedule R-1        Real Property Collateral
Schedule X          Wire Transfer Instructions
Schedule 5.7        Borrower's FEIN
Schedule 5.8        Capital Stock of Parent; Subsidiaries
Schedule 5.9(c)     Consents
Schedule 5.10       Litigation
Schedule 5.13       ERISA Benefit Plans
Schedule 5.14       Environmental Matters
Schedule 5.16       Permits and other Intellectual Property
Schedule 5.17       Material Contracts
Schedule 6.12       Location of Inventory and Equipment
Schedule 7.1        Indebtedness
Schedule 7.6        Guarantees
Schedule 7.13       Investments

Exhibit C-1         Form of Compliance Certificate

Exhibit 6.18        Form of Assignment of Claims Act Notices

Exhibit 16.1        Form of Assignment and Acceptance

                                       vi

<PAGE>


                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT


         THIS LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), is entered into as
of May 14, 1999, among GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC., a Delaware corporation
("Parent"),  with its chief executive  office located at 1579 Straits  Turnpike,
Middlebury,  Connecticut 06762, GENERAL DATACOMM,  INC., a Delaware corporation,
with its chief executive  office located at 1579 Straits  Turnpike,  Middlebury,
Connecticut 06762 ("General DataComm"), DATACOMM LEASING CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation,  with its chief executive office located at 1579 Straits  Turnpike,
Middlebury, Connecticut 06762 ("DataComm Leasing"), GDC FEDERAL SYSTEMS, INC., a
Delaware  corporation,  with its chief executive  office located at 1579 Straits
Turnpike, Middlebury, Connecticut 06762 ("GDC Federal"), VITAL NETWORK SERVICES,
L.L.C., a Delaware limited  liability  company,  with its chief executive office
located at 6 Rubber Avenue,  Naugatuck,  Connecticut  06770  ("Vital"),  and GDC
NAUGATUCK, INC., a Delaware corporation, with its chief executive office located
at 6 Rubber Avenue, Naugatuck,  Connecticut 06770 ("GDC Naugatuck", and together
with the Parent, General DataComm, DataComm Leasing, GDC Federal and Vital, each
a  "Borrower"  and  collectively  the   "Borrowers"),   each  of  the  financial
institutions  signatories  hereto (such  financial  institutions,  together with
their respective successors and assigns,  each a "Lender" and collectively,  the
"Lenders"),   and  FOOTHILL  CAPITAL  CORPORATION,   a  California   corporation
("Foothill"),  with a place of business located at 11111 Santa Monica Boulevard,
Suite 1500,  Los Angeles,  California  90025-3333,  as agent for the Lenders (in
such capacity, the "Agent").

         The parties agree as follows:

         1.       DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.

                1.1 Definitions.  As used in this Agreement,  the following
terms shall have the following definitions:

                           "Account Debtor" means any Person who is or who may
 become obligated under, with respect to, or on account of, an Account.

                           "Accounts" means all currently existing and hereafter
arising accounts,  contract rights,  and all other forms of obligations owing to
any one of the Borrowers or Eligible Foreign  Guarantors arising out of the sale
or lease of goods or the  rendition  of services by any one of the  Borrowers or
Eligible Foreign Guarantors,  irrespective of whether earned by performance, and
any and all credit insurance, guaranties, or security therefor.

                           "Administrative Borrower" has the meaning set forth
in Section 19.10.

                           "Advances" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.1(a).

                           "Affiliate" means, as applied to any Person, any
other Person who directly or indirectly  controls,  is  controlled  by, is under
common control with or is a director or officer of such Person.  For purposes of
this definition,  "control" means the possession, directly or

<PAGE>

indirectly,  of the power to vote 15% or more of the securities  having ordinary
voting power for the  election of  directors or the direct or indirect  power to
direct the management and policies of a Person.

                           "Agent" means Foothill, solely in its capacity as
agent for the Lenders, and shall include any successor agent.

                           "Agent Account" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.8.

                           "Agent Advances" has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.1(g).

                           "Agent's Liens" has the meaning set forth in Section
4.1(a).

                           "Agent-Related Persons" means the Agent, together
with its Affiliates, and the officers, directors, employees, counsel, agents and
attorneys-in-fact of the Agent and such Affiliates.

                           "Agent's Term Loan Liens" has the meaning set forth
in Section 4.1(b).

                           "Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the
preamble hereto.

                           "ARC" means General DataComm Advanced Research Centre
Limited,  a direct  subsidiary of the Parent that is organized under the laws of
England and Wales.

                           "Assignee" has the meaning set forth in Section
16.1(a).

                           "Assignment and Acceptance" has the meaning set forth
in Section 16.1(a) and shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 16.1.

                           "Assignment of Claims Act" means the Assignment of
Claims Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, codified at 31 U.S.C.  ss.3727
and 41 U.S.C. ss.15, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                           "Assignment of Claims Act Notices" has the meaning
set forth in Section 6.18.

                           "ATM Technology" means the asynchronous transfer
mode technology designed to consolidate voice, video and data on a single (i.e.,
broad band) line, exclusive of the Strobos product technology being developed by
ARC.

                           "Authorized Person" means any officer or other
employee of Administrative Borrower.

                           "Availability" means the amount that Borrowers are
entitled  to borrow  as  Advances  under  Section  2.1,  such  amount  being the
difference  derived  when  (a)  the  sum of the  principal  amount  of  Advances
(including  Agent Advances and Foothill Loans) then  outstanding  (including any
amounts  that the Lender  Group may have paid for the  account  of any  Borrower
pursuant  to any of the Loan  Documents  and that  have not been  reimbursed  by
Borrowers) is

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

subtracted  from (b) the lesser of (i) the  Maximum  Revolving  Amount  less the
Letter of Credit  Usage,  or (ii) the  Borrowing  Base less the Letter of Credit
Usage.

                           "Bankruptcy Code" means the United States Bankruptcy
Code (11 U.S.C. ss. 101 et seq.), as amended, and any successor statute.

                           "Benefit Plan" means a "defined benefit plan" (as
defined in Section  3(35) of ERISA) for which a Borrower,  any  Subsidiary  of a
Borrower,  or any ERISA  Affiliate has been an "employer" (as defined in Section
3(5) of ERISA) within the past six years.

                           "Books" means all of each Borrower's books and
records including:  ledgers;  records indicating,  summarizing,  or evidencing a
Borrower's  properties or assets (including the Collateral) or liabilities;  all
information relating to a Borrower's business operations or financial condition;
and all  computer  programs,  disk or tape  files,  printouts,  runs,  or  other
computer prepared information.

                           "Borrower" and "Borrowers" has the meaning set forth
in the preamble hereto.

                           "Borrowing" means a borrowing hereunder consisting
of Advances or Term Loans made on the same day by the Lenders to  Administrative
Borrower, or by Foothill in the case of a Foothill Loan, or by Agent in the case
of an Agent Advance.

                           "Borrowing Base" has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.1(a).

                           "Business Day" means any day that is not a Saturday,
Sunday,  or other day on which  national  banks are  authorized  or  required to
close.

                           "Cash Operating Requirement" has the meaning set
forth in Section 7.24.

                           "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred
at such time as (i) a "person" or "group"  (within the meaning of Sections 13(d)
and 14(d)(2) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934)  becomes the  "beneficial
owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3  under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934),
directly  or  indirectly,  of more  than 35% of the  total  voting  power of all
classes of stock then  outstanding of Parent entitled to vote in the election of
directors, or (ii) the Parent shall cease to, directly or indirectly,  of record
and beneficially,  own and control 100% of the then outstanding Stock of each of
the Borrowers (other than the Parent) and the Guarantors.

                           "Closing Date" means the date of the first to occur
of the making of the initial Advance,  the  issuance of the initial  Letter of
Credit, or the funding of the Term Loans.

                           "Code" means the New York Uniform Commercial Code.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                           "Collateral" means all of each Borrower's right,
title, and interest in and to each of the following:

                           (a)      the Accounts,

                           (b)      the Books,

                           (c)      the Equipment,

                           (d)      the General Intangibles,

                           (e)      the Inventory,

                           (f)      the Investment Property,

                           (g)      the Negotiable Collateral,

                           (h)      the Real Property Collateral,

                           (i)      any money, or other assets of any Borrower
that now or hereafter come into the possession, custody, or control of any
member of the Lender Group, and

                           (j)      the proceeds and products, whether tangible
or intangible, of any of the foregoing, including proceeds of insurance covering
any or all of the  Collateral,  and  any  and all  Accounts,  Books,  Equipment,
General Intangibles,  Inventory, Investment Property Negotiable Collateral, Real
Property,  money,  deposit  accounts,  or other tangible or intangible  property
resulting from the sale,  exchange,  collection,  or other disposition of any of
the  foregoing,  or any portion  thereof or interest  therein,  and the proceeds
thereof.

                           "Collateral Access Agreement" means a landlord waiver
or  consent,   mortgagee  waiver  or  consent,   bailee  letter,  or  a  similar
acknowledgment agreement of any warehouseman,  processor,  lessor, consignee, or
other Person in possession of, having a Lien upon, or having rights or interests
in the Equipment or Inventory,  in each case, in form and substance satisfactory
to Agent.

                           "Collections" means all cash, checks, notes,
instruments, and other items of payment (including, insurance proceeds, proceeds
of cash sales, rental proceeds, and tax refunds).

                           "Commitment" means, as to any Lender, the Revolving
Credit Commitment of such Lender, the Term A Loan Commitment of such Lender, and
the Term B Loan  Commitment of such Lender,  as  applicable,  and  "Commitments"
means, collectively, the aggregate amount of the Commitments of the Lenders.

                           "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, par value
$0.10 per share, of the Parent.

                           "Compliance Certificate"  means a certificate
substantially  in the form of Exhibit C-1 and delivered by the chief  accounting
officer of the Parent to Agent.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

                           "Control Agreement" means a control agreement, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, between a Borrower,  Agent,
and the  applicable  securities  intermediary  with  respect  to the  applicable
Securities Account and related Investment Property.

                           "Conversion Amount" has the meaning set forth in
Section 15.2.

                           "Conversion Date" has the meaning set forth in
Section 15.2.

                           "Conversion Price" means $5.00 per share of Common
Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 15.

                           "Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures" means
the outstanding 7-3/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated  Debentures of Parent due
2002 and issued pursuant to the Indenture.

                           "Daily Balance" means the amount of an Obligation
owed at the end of a given day.

                           "DataComm Canada" means General DataComm Ltd., a
direct Subsidiary of the Parent that is organized under the laws of Canada.

                           "DataComm England" means General DataComm Limited,
a direct  Subsidiary  of the Parent that is organized  under the laws of England
and Wales.

                           "DataComm Leasing" means DataComm Leasing
Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

                           "DataComm Netherlands" means General
DataCommunications  Industries,  B.V., a direct Subsidiary of the Parent that is
organized under the laws of the Netherlands.

                           "DataComm Rental" means DataComm Rental Corporation,
a direct Subsidiary of the Parent that is organized under the laws of Delaware.

                           "DataComm Venezuela" means General DataComm de
Venezuela,  C.A., a direct  Subsidiary of the Parent that is organized under the
laws of Venezuela.

                           "Default" means an event, condition, or default that,
with the giving of notice,  the passage of time,  or both,  would be an Event of
Default.

                           "Defaulting Lender" means any Lender that fails to
make any  Advance  or Term Loan that it is  required  to make  hereunder  on any
Funding  Date and that has not cured such failure by making such Advance or Term
Loan within 1 Business Day after written demand upon it by Agent to do so.

                           "Defaulting Lenders Rate" means the Reference Rate
for the first 3 days from and after the date the  relevant  payment  is due and,
thereafter, at the interest rate then applicable to Advances.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

                           "Designated Account" means account number 8900089296
jointly maintained by the Parent and General DataComm on behalf of the Borrowers
with  Parent and  General  DataComm's  Designated  Account  Bank,  or such other
deposit  account of Borrowers  (located within the United States) which has been
designated,  in writing  and from time to time,  by  Administrative  Borrower to
Agent.

                           "Designated Account Bank" means The Bank of New York,
whose office is located at 48 Wall Street,  New York, New York 10286,  and whose
ABA number is 021-000-018.

                           "Dilution" means, in each case based upon the
experience of the  immediately  prior twelve months,  the result of dividing the
Dollar  amount of (a) bad debt  write-downs,  discounts,  advertising,  returns,
promotions,  credits,  or other  dilution with respect to the  Accounts,  by (b)
Borrowers' Collections (excluding extraordinary items) plus the Dollar amount of
clause (a).

                           "Dilution Reserve" means, as of any date of
determination,  an amount sufficient to reduce the advance rate against Eligible
Accounts  hereunder by one percentage  point for each percentage  point by which
Dilution is in excess of 5%.

                           "Disbursement Letter" means an instructional letter
executed  and  delivered  by  Administrative  Borrower  to Agent  regarding  the
extensions of credit to be made on the Closing  Date,  the form and substance of
which shall be satisfactory to Agent.

                           "Dollars or $" means United States dollars.

                           "Early Termination Premium" has the meaning set
forth in Section 3.6.

                           "Eligible Accounts" means those Accounts created by a
Borrower or an Eligible  Foreign  Guarantor in the ordinary  course of business,
that arise out of such Borrower's or such Eligible  Foreign  Guarantor's sale of
goods or rendition of services,  that  strictly  comply with each and all of the
representations  and  warranties  respecting  Accounts  made  by  Borrowers  and
Eligible Foreign Guarantors to Lender Group in the Loan Documents,  and that are
and at all times  continue to be acceptable to Agent in all respects;  provided,
however,  that  standards of  eligibility  may be fixed and revised from time to
time by Agent in its reasonable  credit  judgment.  Eligible  Accounts shall not
include the following:

                           (a)      Accounts that the Account Debtor has failed
to pay within 120 days of invoice date or Accounts that are 60 days or more past
the due date therefor;

                           (b)      Accounts owed by an Account Debtor or its
Affiliates where 50% or more of all Accounts owed by that Account Debtor (or its
Affiliates) are deemed ineligible under clause (a) above;

                           (c)      Accounts with respect to which the Account
Debtor is an employee,  Affiliate, or agent of a Borrower or an Eligible Foreign
Guarantor;
                                      -6-
<PAGE>


                           (d)      Accounts with respect to which goods are
placed on consignment,  guaranteed sale, sale or return, sale on approval,  bill
and hold where payment for the goods  subject to such bill and hold  arrangement
is deferred  beyond  customary  payment terms, or other terms by reason of which
the payment by the Account Debtor may be conditional;

                           (e)      (i)   in the case of any Accounts generated
by any  Borrower,  such Accounts that are not payable in Dollars or with respect
to which the Account Debtor is a Foreign Account  Debtor,  unless in the case of
Accounts with respect to which the Account  Debtor is a Foreign  Account  Debtor
(A) the Account is supported by an irrevocable letter of credit  satisfactory to
Agent (as to form,  substance,  and issuer or domestic confirming bank) that has
been  delivered to Agent and,  after the  occurrence of an Event of Default,  is
directly  drawable by the Agent, (B) the Account is covered by credit insurance,
for which, after the occurrence of an Event of Default, Agent is the loss payee,
in form and amount, and by an insurer,  satisfactory to Agent, (C) such Accounts
are owed by a Foreign Account Debtor having a strong credit profile and approved
by the Agent, or (D) the Account is not covered by clause (A), (B) or (C) above;
provided that (1) the aggregate  invoice  amount of all Accounts with respect to
which the Account  Debtor is a Foreign  Account Debtor under clauses (C) and (D)
above does not exceed  $10,000,000 and (2) the aggregate  amount of all Accounts
with respect to which Account  Debtor is a Foreign  Account  Debtor under clause
(D) above does not exceed $5,000,000;

                                    (ii)  in the case of any Accounts generated
by any  Eligible  Foreign  Guarantors,  such  Accounts  are not  payable  in the
official  currency  of the United  States,  England  or Canada  (or in  European
currency units) or with respect to which the Account Debtor is a Foreign Account
Debtor;  provided that, the aggregate  amount of all Accounts arising from sales
to Account Debtors  maintaining a chief executive office in England or organized
under the laws of England does not exceed $5,000,000;

                           (f)      Accounts with respect to which the Account
Debtor  is  either  (i)  the  United  States  or  any  department,   agency,  or
instrumentality of the United States (exclusive,  however,  of (A) Accounts with
respect to which a Borrower has (x) complied, to the satisfaction of Agent, with
the Assignment of Claims Act or (y) pursuant to Section 6.18, delivered to Agent
Assignment of Claims Act Notices  satisfactory  to Agent or (B) Accounts owed by
any such Governmental  Authority if the aggregate amount of all Accounts owed by
such Governmental Authority do not exceed $1,000,000), or (ii) any state or city
Governmental  Authority  (exclusive,  however,  of (A) Accounts owed by any such
Governmental  Authority  that  does  not  have a  statutory  counterpart  to the
Assignment of Claims Act, (B) Accounts owed by any such  Governmental  Authority
that does have a statutory  counterpart to the Assignment of Claims Act and with
respect to which a Borrower  has (x)  complied  with such  applicable  statutory
counterpart  to the  satisfaction  of Agent or (y)  pursuant  to  Section  6.18,
delivered  to  Agent   Assignment   of  Claims  Act  Notices   satisfactory   to
Administrative  Agent, and (C) Accounts owed by any such Governmental  Authority
if the aggregate amount of all Accounts owed by such  Governmental  Authority do
not exceed $1,000,000), or (iii) a Governmental Authority of any foreign country
or  sovereign  state  (exclusive,   however,   of  Accounts  owed  by  any  such
Governmental  Authority if the  aggregate  amount of all  Accounts  owed by such
Governmental  Authority do not exceed $1,000,000);  provided,  however, that the
aggregate   amount  of  all  Accounts  created  by  sales  to  all  Governmental
Authorities under clauses (i)(B), (ii)(C) and (iii) do not exceed $1,000,000;

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

                           (g)      Accounts with respect to which the Account
Debtor is a creditor of a Borrower or an Eligible Foreign Guarantor,  has or has
asserted a right of setoff,  has disputed its  liability,  or has made any claim
with respect to the Account;

                           (h)      Accounts with respect to an Account Debtor
whose total  obligations  owing to a Borrower or an Eligible  Foreign  Guarantor
exceed 15% of all Eligible  Accounts,  to the extent of the obligations owing by
such Account Debtor in excess of such percentage unless specifically approved in
writing  by  the  Agent,   provided  that,  if  the  Account  Debtor  is  Lucent
Technologies, Ericsson Business Network, Siemens AG or NEC, the aggregate amount
of all  Accounts  owing by any such  Account  Debtor shall not exceed 25% of all
Eligible Accounts;

                           (i)      Accounts with respect to which the Account
Debtor is subject to any Insolvency  Proceeding,  or becomes insolvent,  or goes
out of business;

                           (j)      Accounts the collection of which Agent, in
its reasonable credit judgment, believes to be doubtful by reason of the Account
Debtor's financial condition;

                           (k)      Accounts with respect to which the goods
giving  rise to such  Account  have not been  shipped  and billed to the Account
Debtor,  the services  giving rise to such Account have not been  performed  and
accepted by the Account  Debtor,  or the Account  otherwise does not represent a
final sale;

                           (l)      Accounts with respect to which the Account
Debtor is located  in the  states of New  Jersey,  Minnesota,  Indiana,  or West
Virginia  (or any other  state  that  requires  a  creditor  to file a  Business
Activity Report or similar document in order to bring suit or otherwise  enforce
its remedies  against such Account  Debtor in the courts or through any judicial
process of such  state),  unless the  applicable  Borrower  has  qualified to do
business in New Jersey, Minnesota, Indiana, West Virginia, or such other states,
or has filed a Notice of Business Activities Report with the applicable division
of taxation,  the department of revenue,  or with such other state  offices,  as
appropriate,   for  the  then-current  year,  or  is  exempt  from  such  filing
requirement; and

                           (m)      Accounts that represent progress payments or
other advance  billings that are due prior to the completion of performance by a
Borrower or an Eligible  Foreign  Guarantor of the subject contract for goods or
services.

                           "Eligible Inventory" means Inventory consisting of
first  quality  finished  goods  held for sale in the  ordinary  course  of each
Borrower's  business and raw materials for such finished goods, that are located
at or in-transit  between each Borrower's  premises  identified on Schedule E-1,
that strictly  comply with each and all of the  representations  and  warranties
respecting  Inventory  made by Borrowers to Lender Group in the Loan  Documents,
and that are and at all times  continue to be  acceptable to Lender Group in all
respects;  provided,  however,  that standards of  eligibility  may be fixed and
revised  from  time to time by  Agent in it's  reasonable  credit  judgment.  In
determining the amount to be so included, Inventory shall be valued at the lower
of cost or market on a basis  consistent with Borrowers'  current and historical
accounting  practices.  An item of  Inventory  shall not be included in Eligible
Inventory if:

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

                           (a)      it is not owned solely by a Borrower or a
Borrower does not have good, valid, and marketable title thereto;

                           (b)      it is not located at or in-transit between
one of the locations set forth on Schedule E-1;

                           (c)      except in the case of the Middlebury Leased
Property,  the Middlebury  Real Property and the Naugatuck Real Property,  it is
not  located  on  property  owned  or  leased  by a  Borrower  or in a  contract
warehouse,  in each case,  subject to a Collateral Access Agreement  executed by
the mortgagee,  lessor, the warehouseman,  or other third party, as the case may
be, and segregated or otherwise separately identifiable from goods of others, if
any, stored on the premises;

                           (d)      it is not subject to a valid and perfected
first priority security interest in favor of Agent for the benefit of the Lender
Group;

                           (e)      it consists of goods returned or rejected by
a Borrower's customers or goods in transit; and

                           (f)      it is obsolete or slow moving, a restrictive
or custom item, work-in-process, a component that is not part of finished goods,
or constitutes spare parts,  packaging and shipping materials,  supplies used or
consumed in a Borrower's  business,  Inventory subject to a Lien in favor of any
third  Person,  bill and hold goods,  defective  goods,  "seconds," or Inventory
acquired on consignment.

                           "Eligible Foreign Guarantors" means DataComm Canada
and DataComm England.

                           "Eligible Transferee" means: (a) a commercial bank
organized under the laws of the United States, or any state thereof,  and having
total assets in excess of  $100,000,000;  (b) a commercial  bank organized under
the laws of any other country which is a member of the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development or a political  subdivision of any such country, and
having total assets in excess of $100,000,000; provided that such bank is acting
through a branch or agency located in the United States;  (c) a finance company,
insurance  company  or other  financial  institution  or fund that is engaged in
making,  purchasing or otherwise  investing in commercial  loans in the ordinary
course of its business and having total assets in excess of $50,000,000; (d) any
Affiliate (other than individuals) of a pre-existing  Lender;  (e) so long as no
Event of Default has occurred and is  continuing,  any other Person  approved by
Agent; and (f) during the continuation of an Event of Default,  any other Person
approved by Agent.

                           "Equipment" means all of each Borrower's present and
hereafter  acquired  machinery,  machine tools,  motors,  equipment,  furniture,
furnishings,  fixtures, vehicles (including motor vehicles and trailers), tools,
parts, goods (other than consumer goods, farm products, or Inventory),  wherever
located,  including, any interest of a Borrower in any of the foregoing, and all
attachments,  accessories, accessions, replacements,  substitutions,  additions,
and improvements to any of the foregoing.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

                           "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974,  29  U.S.C.  ss.ss.  1000 et seq.,  amendments  thereto,  successor
statutes, and regulations or guidance promulgated thereunder.

                           "ERISA Affiliate" means (a) any corporation subject
to ERISA whose  employees  are  treated as employed by the same  employer as the
employees  of a Borrower  under IRC  Section  414(b),  (b) any trade or business
subject to ERISA whose employees are treated as employed by the same employer as
the employees of a Borrower under IRC Section 414(c), (c) solely for purposes of
Section  302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the IRC,  any  organization  subject to
ERISA that is a member of an  affiliated  service group of which a Borrower is a
member  under IRC Section  414(m),  or (d) solely for purposes of Section 302 of
ERISA and Section 412 of the IRC, any party  subject to ERISA that is a party to
an  arrangement  with a Borrower and whose  employees  are  aggregated  with the
employees of a Borrower under IRC Section 414(o).

                           "ERISA Event" means (a) a Reportable Event with
respect to any Benefit  Plan or  Multiemployer  Plan,  (b) the  withdrawal  of a
Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates from a Benefit Plan during
a plan year in which it was a  "substantial  employer"  (as  defined  in Section
4001(a)(2)  of ERISA),  (c) the  providing  of notice of intent to  terminate  a
Benefit  Plan in a distress  termination  (as  described  in Section  4041(c) of
ERISA),  (d) the  institution  by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Benefit
Plan or Multiemployer Plan, (e) any event or condition (i) that provides a basis
under Section  4042(a)(1),  (2), or (3) of ERISA for the  termination of, or the
appointment of a trustee to administer,  any Benefit Plan or Multiemployer Plan,
or (ii) that may result in  termination  of a  Multiemployer  Plan  pursuant  to
Section  4041A of ERISA,  (f) the  partial  or  complete  withdrawal  within the
meaning  of  Sections  4203  and  4205  of  ERISA,  of a  Borrower,  any  of its
Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan, or (g) providing any
security to any Plan under  Section  401(a)(29)  of the IRC by a Borrower or its
Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates.

                           "Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in
Section 8.

                           "Exchange  Act"  means  the  Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute thereto.

                           "Exchange  Rate  Reserve"  means an  amount equal to
the product of (i) 85% of the aggregate amount of Eligible Accounts that are not
payable in Dollars, multiplied by (ii) 5%.

                           "Existing Lender" means TransAmerica Business Credit
Corporation,  as agent for itself, BankBoston,  N.A., and The CIT Group/Business
Credit, Inc.

                           "FEIN" means Federal Employer Identification Number.

                           "Foothill" has the meaning set forth in the preamble
to this Agreement.

                           "Foothill Loans" has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.1(f).

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

                           "Foreign Account Debtor" means an Account Debtor that
(i) does not maintain its chief executive  office in the United States,  England
or Canada,  or (ii) is not organized  under the laws of the United States or any
State thereof, England or Canada.

                           "Funding Date" means the date on which a Borrowing
occurs or a Letter of Credit is issued.

                           "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles
as in effect from time to time in the United States, consistently applied.

                           "GDC Federal" means GDC Federal Systems, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.

                           "GDC Naugatuck" means GDC Naugatuck, Inc., an
indirect Subsidiary of the Parent that is organized under the laws of Delaware.

                           "GDC Realty" means GDC Realty, Inc., a Texas
corporation.

                           "General DataComm" means General DataComm, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.

                           "General Intangibles" means all of each Borrower's
present and future general  intangibles and other personal  property  (including
contract  rights,  rights arising under common law,  statutes,  or  regulations,
choses or things in action, goodwill, Permits, patents, trade names, trademarks,
servicemarks, copyrights, blueprints, drawings, purchase orders, customer lists,
monies due or recoverable from pension funds, route lists, rights to payment and
other  rights under any royalty or licensing  agreements,  infringement  claims,
computer programs, information contained on computer disks or tapes, literature,
reports, catalogs, deposit accounts, insurance premium rebates, tax refunds, and
tax refund claims), other than goods, Accounts, and Negotiable Collateral.

                           "Governing Documents" means the certificate or
articles  of  incorporation,  by-laws,  or  other  organizational  or  governing
documents of any Person.

                           "Governmental Authority" means any nation or
government,  any state,  province,  or other political  subdivision thereof, any
central bank (or similar monetary or regulatory  authority) thereof,  any entity
exercising  executive,  legislative,   judicial,  regulatory  or  administrative
functions of or pertaining to  government,  and any  corporation or other entity
owned or controlled,  through Stock or capital ownership or otherwise, by any of
the foregoing.

                           "Guarantee and Debenture" means the Guarantee and
Debenture,  dated of even date herewith, between DataComm England and the Agent,
as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                           "Guarantor Security Agreement" means that certain
Guarantor  Security  Agreement,  dated  as of  even  date  herewith,  made  by a
Guarantor in favor of the Agent, as amended,  supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time.

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

                       "Guarantors" means each of the Persons listed on
Schedule G-1 hereto and any other Person that from time to time  guaranties  any
or all of the Obligations.

                           "Guaranty" means the Subsidiary Guaranty, dated as of
even date  herewith,  made by a  Guarantor  in favor of the Agent,  as  amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                           "Hazardous Materials" means (a) substances that are
defined or listed in, or otherwise  classified  pursuant to, any applicable laws
or  regulations as "hazardous  substances,"  "hazardous  materials,"  "hazardous
wastes," "toxic substances," or any other formulation  intended to define, list,
or classify substances by reason of deleterious properties such as ignitability,
corrosivity,   reactivity,   carcinogenicity,   reproductive  toxicity,  or  "EP
toxicity",  (b) oil, petroleum,  or petroleum derived  substances,  natural gas,
natural gas liquids,  synthetic gas, drilling fluids, produced waters, and other
wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil,
natural gas, or geothermal resources, (c) any flammable substances or explosives
or any  radioactive  materials,  and (d)  asbestos  in any  form  or  electrical
equipment  that  contains  any oil or  dielectric  fluid  containing  levels  of
polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million.

                           "Hypothec" means the General Hypothecation of
Movables,  dated as of even date herewith,  made by DataComm  Canada in favor of
the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, as amended,  supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time.

                           "Indebtedness" means: (a) all obligations of
Borrowers  for borrowed  money,  (b) all  obligations  of Borrower  evidenced by
bonds, debentures,  notes, or other similar instruments and all reimbursement or
other  obligations  of  Borrowers  in respect  of  letters  of  credit,  bankers
acceptances,   interest  rate  swaps,  or  other  financial  products,  (c)  all
obligations  of  Borrowers  under  capital   leases,   (d)  all  obligations  or
liabilities  of others secured by a Lien on any property or asset of a Borrower,
irrespective  of whether such  obligation  or liability is assumed,  and (e) any
obligation  of  a  Borrower  guaranteeing  or  intended  to  guarantee  (whether
guaranteed,  endorsed,  co-made,  discounted,  or  sold  with  recourse  to such
Borrower)  any  indebtedness,  lease,  dividend,  letter  of  credit,  or  other
obligation of any other Person.

                           "Indemnified Liabilities" has the meaning set forth
in Section 11.3.

                           "Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.3.

                           "Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of
September  26,  1997  between  Parent  and  Continental  Stock  Transfer & Trust
Company, as Trustee, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time.

                           "Insolvency Proceeding" means any proceeding
commenced by or against any Person under any provision of the Bankruptcy Code or
under any other  bankruptcy or insolvency  law,  assignments  for the benefit of
creditors, formal or informal moratoria, compositions, extensions generally with
creditors, or proceedings seeking reorganization,  arrangement, or other similar
relief.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

                           "Intellectual Property" has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.16.

                           "Inventory" means all present and future inventory in
which any Borrower has any interest,  including  goods held for sale or lease or
to be furnished  under a contract of service and all of any  Borrower's  present
and future raw  materials,  work in  process,  finished  goods,  and packing and
shipping materials, wherever located.

                           "Inventory Reserves" means reserves (determined from
time to time by Agent in its discretion) for (a) the estimated costs relating to
unpaid freight charges, warehousing or storage charges, taxes, duties, and other
similar unpaid costs  associated with the  acquisition of Eligible  Inventory by
each Borrower,  plus (b) the estimated  reclamation  claims of unpaid sellers of
Inventory sold to each Borrower.

                           "IRC" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and the regulations thereunder.

                           "Investment Property" means "investment property" as
that term is defined in Section 9-115 of the Code.

                           "L/C" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

                           "L/C Guaranty" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.2(a).

                           "Legal Requirements" means all applicable
international,  foreign,  federal,  state, and local laws,  judgments,  decrees,
orders, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, or Permits.

                           "Lender" and "Lenders" have the respective meanings
set forth in the  preamble  hereto,  and shall  include any other  Person made a
party to this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 16.1.

                           "Lender Group" means, individually and collectively,
each of the individual Lenders and the Agent.

                           "Lender Group Expenses" means all: costs or expenses
(including taxes, and insurance premiums) required to be paid by Borrowers under
any of the Loan  Documents  that are paid or incurred by any one or more members
of the Lender Group; fees or charges paid or incurred by any one or more members
of the Lender  Group in  connection  with any one or more  members of the Lender
Group's   transactions   with   Borrowers,   including,   fees  or  charges  for
photocopying, notarization, couriers and messengers,  telecommunication,  public
record searches  (including tax lien,  judgment,  and UCC searches and including
searches with the patent and trademark  office,  the  copyright  office,  or the
department  of  motor  vehicles),  filing,  recording,  publication,   appraisal
(subject  to Section  2.12(d) of this  Agreement,  including  periodic  Personal
Property  Collateral  or  Real  Property  Collateral  appraisals),  real  estate
surveys, real estate title policies and endorsements,  and environmental audits;
costs and  expenses  incurred by any one or more  members of the Lender Group in
the disbursement of funds to Borrowers (by wire transfer or otherwise);  charges
paid or incurred by any one or more members of the Lender Group

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

resulting  from the dishonor of checks;  costs and expenses  paid or incurred by
any one or more  members of the Lender  Group to correct  any default or enforce
any provision of the Loan Documents,  or in gaining possession of,  maintaining,
handling,  preserving,  storing,  shipping,  selling,  preparing  for  sale,  or
advertising  to sell the  Personal  Property  Collateral  or the  Real  Property
Collateral,  or  any  portion  thereof,   irrespective  of  whether  a  sale  is
consummated;  costs and expenses  paid or incurred by any one or more members of
the Lender Group in examining Books; costs and expenses of third party claims or
any other suit paid or incurred by any one or more  members of the Lender  Group
in  enforcing  or  defending  the  Loan  Documents  or in  connection  with  the
transactions  contemplated  by the Loan  Documents or any one or more members of
the Lender Group's relationship with any Borrower or any Guarantor;  and any one
or more members of the Lender  Group's  reasonable  attorneys  fees and expenses
incurred in advising, structuring, drafting, reviewing, administering, amending,
terminating,  enforcing  (including  attorneys  fees and  expenses  incurred  in
connection  with a "workout," a  "restructuring,"  or an  Insolvency  Proceeding
concerning  any Borrower or any  Guarantor of the  Obligations),  defending,  or
concerning the Loan Documents, irrespective of whether suit is brought.

                           "Lender-Related  Persons" means, with respect to any
Lender, such Lender,  together with such Lender's Affiliates,  and the officers,
directors,  employees, counsel, agents, and attorneys-in-fact of such Lender and
such Lender's Affiliates.

                           "Letter of Credit" means an L/C or an L/C Guaranty,
as the context requires.

                           "Letter of Credit  Usage" means the sum of (a) the
undrawn  amount of  Letters  of  Credit,  plus (b) the  amount  of  unreimbursed
drawings under Letters of Credit.

                           "Lien" means any interest in property securing an
obligation  owed to,  or a claim  by,  any  Person  other  than the owner of the
property,  whether such interest shall be based on the common law,  statute,  or
contract, whether such interest shall be recorded or perfected, and whether such
interest shall be contingent  upon the occurrence of some future event or events
or the existence of some future  circumstance  or  circumstances,  including the
lien or security interest arising from a mortgage,  deed of trust,  encumbrance,
pledge,  hypothecation,  assignment,  deposit  arrangement,  security agreement,
adverse claim or charge,  conditional  sale or trust  receipt,  or from a lease,
consignment,  or bailment for security purposes and also including reservations,
exceptions,  encroachments,  easements,  rights-of-way,  covenants,  conditions,
restrictions, leases, and other title exceptions and encumbrances affecting Real
Property.

                           "Loan Account" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.11.

                           "Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the
Disbursement Letter, the Letters of Credit, the Lockbox Agreements,  each Pledge
Agreement, the Patent Security Agreement, the Trademark Security Agreement, each
Guaranty,  each Guarantor Security Agreement,  the Guarantee and Debenture,  the
Hypothec,  the Share Charge, the Mortgages,  the Registration  Rights Agreement,
any note or notes  executed by Borrowers and payable to any Lender in connection
with this Agreement, and any other agreement entered into, now or in the future,
in connection with this Agreement.

                                      -14-

<PAGE>

                          "Loan Parties" means the Borrowers and the Guarantors.

                           "Lockbox Account" shall mean a depository account
established pursuant to one of the Lockbox Agreements.

                           "Lockbox Agreements" means those certain Lockbox
Operating Procedural Agreements and those certain Depository Account Agreements,
in form and  substance  satisfactory  to  Agent,  each of  which  is  among  the
applicable Borrower, Agent, and one of the Lockbox Banks.

                           "Lockbox Banks" means, collectively, The Bank of New
York, American National Bank and Peoples Bank.

                           "Lockboxes" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8.

                           "Material Adverse Change" means (a) a material
adverse  change in the  business,  operations,  results of  operations,  assets,
liabilities or financial condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole, (b) the material  impairment of the Parent's or any of its  Subsidiaries'
ability to perform their material  obligations under the Loan Documents to which
they are a party or of Agent or the Lender Group to enforce the  Obligations  or
realize upon the Collateral,  (c) a material  adverse effect on the value of the
Collateral  or the  amount  that Agent or the  Lender  Group  would be likely to
receive  (after  giving   consideration  to  delays  in  payment  and  costs  of
enforcement) in the liquidation of such Collateral, or (d) a material impairment
of the  priority  of  Agent's or the Lender  Group's  Liens with  respect to the
Collateral.

                           "Material Contract" means any agreement or contract
of any Borrower or any  Subsidiary  of a Borrower  (excluding  subcontracts  the
costs of  which by their  terms  are  paid by such  Borrower's  or  Subsidiary's
customer)  which (a) involves  consideration  to such  Borrower or Subsidiary of
$250,000 or more, (b) involves  consideration  by such Borrower or Subsidiary of
$250,000  or more,  (c) imposes  financial  obligations  on any  Borrower or any
Subsidiary of a Borrower of $250,000 or more (other than any  agreement  that by
its terms may be terminated by any Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower upon
sixty (60) days' notice or less) or (d) is otherwise  material (or together with
related  agreements  and  contracts,  is material) to the business,  operations,
financial  condition,  performance  or  properties  of any  Borrower  excluding,
however, customer purchase orders or purchase orders to any vendor, in each case
entered into in the ordinary course of a Borrower's business.

                           "Maturity Date" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.4.

                           "Maximum Amount" means, as of any date of
determination,  the sum of (a) the Maximum  Revolving  Amount,  and (b) the then
outstanding principal balance of the Term Loans.

                           "Maximum Revolving Amount" means $25,000,000.

                           "Middlebury Leased Property" means that certain
premises  leased by the Parent and located at Park Road  Extension,  Middlebury,
Connecticut 06762-1209.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

                           "Middlebury Real Property" means that certain Real
Property owned by the Parent and located at 1579 Straits  Turnpike,  Middlebury,
Connecticut 06762.

                           "Mortgages" means one or more mortgages, deeds of
trust,  or deeds to secure debt,  executed by any  Borrower or any  Guarantor in
favor of Agent for the benefit of the Lender  Group,  the form and  substance of
which shall be satisfactory to Agent, that encumber the Real Property Collateral
and the related improvements thereto.

                           "MRC" means Multimedia Research Centre, a division
of DataComm Canada.

                           "Multiemployer Plan" means a "multiemployer plan"
(as  defined in Section  4001(a)(3)  of ERISA) to which a  Borrower,  any of its
Subsidiaries,  or any ERISA  Affiliate  has  contributed,  or was  obligated  to
contribute, within the past six years.

                           "Naugatuck Real Property" means that certain Real
Property  owned by GDC  Naugatuck  and  located at 6 Rubber  Avenue,  Naugatuck,
Connecticut 06770.

                           "Negotiable Collateral" means all of each Borrower's
present and future letters of credit,  notes,  drafts,  instruments,  Investment
Property,  security  entitlements,  securities (including the shares of stock of
Subsidiaries of each Borrower),  documents,  personal property leases (wherein a
Borrower  is the  lessor),  chattel  paper,  and  Books  relating  to any of the
foregoing.

                           "Net Proceeds" means:  (a) with respect to the sale
or  other  disposition  of any  asset  (other  than  any  capital  stock or debt
security) by any Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  (including  in connection
with any  sale-leaseback),  the  excess,  if any,  of (i) the  aggregate  amount
received  in cash  (including  any  cash  received  by way of  deferred  payment
pursuant to a note receivable,  other non-cash  consideration or otherwise,  but
only as and when such cash is so received) in connection with such sale or other
disposition,  over (ii) the sum of (A) the principal  amount of any Indebtedness
which is secured  by any such  asset  (other  than  Indebtedness  assumed by the
purchaser  of such  asset)  or  which  is  required  to be,  and is,  repaid  in
connection with the sale or other  disposition  thereof (other than Indebtedness
hereunder),  (B) the reasonable  out-of-pocket expenses and fees incurred by the
such  Borrower  or its  Subsidiaries  in  connection  with  such  sale or  other
disposition (but only to the extent that such  out-of-pocket  expenses and fees,
if paid to an Affiliate  of such  Borrower  (other than  Weisman  Celler Spett &
Modlin,  P.C.),  are  approved  by the  Agent in its sole  discretion  exercised
reasonably),  and  provided  that all such  expenses and fees are set forth on a
certificate  provided to the Agent,  and (C) federal and state taxes incurred in
connection with such sale or other disposition,  whether payable at such time or
thereafter; and (b) with respect to the sale or other disposition of any capital
stock or debt security by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, excluding any
sale or disposition of capital stock of such Borrower pursuant to employee stock
option or purchase  plans or warrants  of such  Borrower,  the excess of (i) the
aggregate  amount  received  in cash  (including  any  cash  received  by way of
deferred payment pursuant to a note receivable,  other non-cash consideration or
otherwise,  but only as and when such cash is so  received) in  connection  with
such sale or other  disposition,  over (ii) the sum of (A) the reasonable  fees,
commissions and other  out-of-pocket

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

expenses  incurred by such Borrower or its  Subsidiaries in connection with such
sale or other  disposition  (but only to the extent such fees,  commissions  and
expenses,  if paid to an Affiliate of such Borrower  (other than Weisman  Celler
Spett &  Modlin,  P.C.),  are  approved  by the  Agent  in its  sole  discretion
exercised reasonably and provided that all such fees, commissions, discounts and
expenses are set forth on a  certificate  provided to the Agent) and (B) federal
and state taxes  incurred  in  connection  with such sale or other  disposition,
whether payable at such time or thereafter.

                           "Net Worth" means, as of any date of determination,
stockholders' equity determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP,
without giving effect to any cumulative foreign currency transaction adjustments
arising after the Closing Date.

                           "9% Convertible Subordinated Debentures" means the
9% Convertible  Subordinated  Debentures of Parent due 2006 issuable pursuant to
the 9% Indenture.

                           "9% Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of
May 1, 1997 between Parent and  Continental  Stock Transfer & Trust Company,  as
Trustee, as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 26,
1997 and as further  amended,  supplemented  or otherwise  modified from time to
time.

                           "Obligations" means all loans, Advances, Term Loans,
debts, principal,  interest (including any interest that, but for the provisions
of  the  Bankruptcy   Code,  would  have  accrued),   contingent   reimbursement
obligations under any outstanding  Letters of Credit,  premiums (including Early
Termination Premiums),  liabilities (including all amounts charged to Borrowers'
Loan Account pursuant  hereto),  obligations,  fees,  charges,  costs, or Lender
Group  Expenses  (including any fees or expenses that, but for the provisions of
the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued), lease payments, guaranties, covenants,
and duties  owing by each  Borrower to the Agent or the Lender Group of any kind
and  description  (whether  pursuant to or  evidenced  by the Loan  Documents or
pursuant to any other  agreement  between a Borrower and the Agent or the Lender
Group, and irrespective of whether for the payment of money),  whether direct or
indirect,  absolute  or  contingent,  due or to  become  due,  now  existing  or
hereafter arising, and including any debt, liability, or obligation owing from a
Borrower  to others  that the Agent or the  Lender  Group may have  obtained  by
assignment  or otherwise,  and further  including all interest not paid when due
and all Lender Group  Expenses that any Borrower is required to pay or reimburse
by the Loan Documents, by law, or otherwise.

                           "Other Obligations" means any Obligations other than
the Term Loan Obligations.

                           "Overadvance" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.6.

                           "Parent" means General DataComm Industries, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.

                           "Participant" means any Person to which a Lender has
sold a participation interest in its rights under the Loan Documents.

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

                           "Patent Security Agreement" means that certain Patent
Security Agreement, dated as of even date herewith, between Borrowers and Agent,
in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.

                           "Pay-Off Letter" means a letter, in form and
substance reasonably  satisfactory to Agent, from Existing Lender respecting the
amount  necessary to repay in full all of the  obligations of Borrowers owing to
Existing Lender and obtain a termination or release of all of the Liens existing
in favor of Existing  Lender in and to the properties or assets of Borrowers and
the Guarantors.

                           "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
as defined in Title IV of ERISA, or any successor thereto.

                           "Permits" of a Person shall mean all rights,
franchises,   permits,  authorities,   licenses,  certificates  of  approval  or
authorizations,  including  licenses  and  other  authorizations  issuable  by a
Governmental  Authority,  which pursuant to applicable  Legal  Requirements  are
necessary to permit such Person  lawfully to conduct and operate its business as
currently conducted and to own and use its assets.

                           "Permitted Liens" means (a) Liens in favor of the
Agent for the  benefit of the  Lender  Group,  (b) Liens for  unpaid  taxes that
either  (i) are not yet due and  payable or (ii) are the  subject  of  Permitted
Protests,  (c) Liens set forth on Schedule P-1, (d) purchase  money Liens or the
interests  of lessors  under  capital  leases to the  extent  that such Liens or
interests secure Purchase Money Indebtedness  permitted under Section 7.1 hereof
and so long as the Lien  attaches  only to the assets  purchased or acquired and
the  proceeds  thereof,  (e)  Liens  arising  by  operation  of law in  favor of
warehousemen,   landlords,  carriers,  mechanics,   materialmen,   laborers,  or
suppliers,  incurred in the ordinary course of business of each Borrower and not
in connection  with the  borrowing of money,  and which Liens either (i) are for
sums not yet due and payable, or (ii) are the subject of Permitted Protests, (f)
Liens  arising  from  deposits  made  in  connection  with  obtaining   worker's
compensation or other  unemployment  insurance,  (g) Liens or deposits to secure
performance  of bids,  tenders,  or leases (to the extent  permitted  under this
Agreement), incurred in the ordinary course of business of each Borrower and not
in  connection  with the  borrowing  of money,  (h) Liens  arising  by reason of
security for surety or appeal  bonds in the ordinary  course of business of each
Borrower,  (i) Liens of or  resulting  from any judgment or award that would not
have a  Material  Adverse  Change  and as to which  the time for the  appeal  or
petition for  rehearing  of which has not yet expired,  or in respect of which a
Borrower is in good faith prosecuting an appeal or proceeding for a review,  and
in respect of which a stay of execution  pending such appeal or  proceeding  for
review has been secured,  (j) Liens with respect to the Real Property Collateral
that are exceptions to the commitments for title insurance  issued in connection
with the Mortgages,  as accepted by Agent, (k) with respect to any Real Property
that is not part of the Real  Property  Collateral,  easements,  rights  of way,
zoning and similar  covenants and  restrictions,  and similar  encumbrances that
customarily  exist on properties of Persons  engaged in similar  activities  and
similarly  situated and that in any event do not  materially  interfere  with or
impair the use or  operation of the  Collateral  by any Borrower or the value of
Lender  Group's  Lien  thereon or  therein,  or  materially  interfere  with the
ordinary  conduct of the business of any Borrower,  and (l) Liens on leases (and
the underlying Equipment) in which DataComm Leasing is

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

the lessor,  provided  that (i) the Agent  receives  not less than 30 days prior
written  notice of the  incurrence  of such Liens and the  Indebtedness  secured
thereby,  (ii) the Agent has instituted a reserve,  consistent  with the reserve
described in Section 2.1(b)(i)(D),  with respect to such Liens and Indebtedness,
and (iii) the proceeds of the  Indebtedness  secured by such Liens are deposited
in a Lockbox.

                           "Permitted Protest" means the right of a Borrower to
protest  any Lien other than any such Lien that  secures  the  Obligations,  tax
(other  than  payroll  taxes or taxes that are the  subject  of a United  States
federal tax lien), or rental  payment,  provided that (a) a reserve with respect
to such  obligation  is  established  on the books of such Borrower in an amount
that is reasonably satisfactory to Agent, (b) any such protest is instituted and
diligently prosecuted by such Borrower in good faith, and (c) Agent is satisfied
that,  while any such  protest is pending,  there will be no  impairment  of the
enforceability, validity, or priority of any of the Liens of Lender Group, or of
the Agent for the benefit of Lender Group, in and to the Collateral.

                           "Person" means and includes natural persons,
corporations,   limited  liability  companies,  limited  partnerships,   general
partnerships,  limited  liability  partnerships,  joint ventures,  trusts,  land
trusts,  business trusts, or other  organizations,  irrespective of whether they
are legal  entities,  and  governments  and agencies and political  subdivisions
thereof.

                           "Personal Property Collateral" means all Collateral
other than the Real Property Collateral.

                           "Pledge Agreements" means, collectively, (i) the
Pledge Agreement, dated as of even date herewith, made by the Parent in favor of
the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, as amended,  supplemented or otherwise
modified  from time to time,  (ii) the Pledge  Agreement,  dated as of even date
herewith,  made by General DataComm in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the
Lenders, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, (iii)
the Pledge Agreement,  dated as of even date herewith,  made by General DataComm
International  Corp.  in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the  Lenders,  as
amended,  supplemented or otherwise  modified from time to time, (iv) the Pledge
Agreement,  dated as of even date herewith,  made by Vital in favor of the Agent
for the benefit of the Lenders,  as amended,  supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time, and (v) the Pledge Agreement, dated as of even date herewith,
made by GDC  Realty in favor of the Agent for the  benefit  of the  Lenders,  as
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                           "Plan" means any employee benefit plan, program, or
arrangement  maintained or contributed to by a Borrower or with respect to which
it may incur liability.

                           "Pro Rata Share" means, with respect to a Lender, a
fraction  (expressed as a  percentage),  the numerator of which is the amount of
such Lender's Commitment and the denominator of which is the aggregate amount of
the  Commitments,  provided that, if the Commitments  have been reduced to zero,
the numerator shall be the aggregate  unpaid  principal  amount of such Lender's
Advances  and Term Loans and  interest in Letter of Credit  Obligations  and the
denominator  shall  be  the  aggregate  unpaid  principal  amount  of all of the
Advances, the Term Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations.  If and to the extent
that,  pursuant to Section 15.1

                                      -19-

<PAGE>

hereof,  an  assignor  Lender  makes  in  favor  of an  Assignee  a  non-ratable
assignment of 100% of the Commitments in respect of the Term A Loan and the Term
Loan Obligations with respect to the Term A Loan or the Term B Loan and the Term
Loan  Obligations  with respect to the Term B Loan,  then,  anything in the Loan
Agreement  or the other Loan  Documents  to the  contrary  notwithstanding,  for
purposes of determining  "ratability" among the Lenders under the Loan Agreement
and the  other  Loan  Document:  (a)  when  used in the  context  of a  Lender's
obligation or Commitment to make the Term A Loan or the Term B Loan, as the case
may be, or a  Lender's  right to  receive  payments  in respect of the Term Loan
Obligations  with respect to the Term A Loan or the Term B Loan, as the case may
be, the term "Pro Rata Share" shall mean (i) 100% with respect to such  Assignee
and (ii) -0-% with respect to such assignor Lender; (b) when used in the context
of a Lender's  obligation  or  Commitment  to make  Advances or  participate  in
Letters of Credit or a Lender's right to receive payment in respect of the Other
Obligations,  the term "Pro Rata Share"  shall mean (i) 100% with respect to the
assignor  Lender and (ii) -0-% with respect to the Assignee;  (c) from and after
the Closing Date, the then outstanding  principal amount of the Term Loans shall
be deemed  to be the  amount of the total  Commitments  in  respect  of the Term
Loans;  and (d) in all other  cases,  the term "Pro Rata  Share"  shall have the
meaning set forth in the first sentence of this definition.

                           "Purchase Money Indebtedness" means Indebtedness
(other than the Obligations,  but including  obligations  under capital leases),
incurred at the time of, or within 20 days after,  the  acquisition of any fixed
assets for the  purpose of  financing  all or any part of the  acquisition  cost
thereof.

                           "Real Property" means any estates or interests in
real property now owned or hereafter acquired by any Borrower.

                           "Real Property Collateral" means the parcel or
parcels of real  property and the related  improvements  thereto  identified  on
Schedule R-1, and any Real Property hereafter acquired by any Borrower.

                           "Reference Rate" means the rate of interest announced
within Wells Fargo Bank,  N.A. at its  principal  office in San Francisco as its
"prime  rate",  with the  understanding  that the  "prime  rate" is one of Wells
Fargo's base rates (not  necessarily the lowest of such rates) and serves as the
basis upon which  effective  rates of interest  are  calculated  for those loans
making  reference  thereto and is evidenced by the  recording  thereof after its
announcement  in such internal  publication or  publications  as Wells Fargo may
designate.

                           "Registration Rights Agreement" means the
Registration Rights Agreement,  in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent,
by and between the Parent and the Term B Loan Lender, with respect to the shares
of  Common  Stock  that  Term B Loan  Lender  may  acquire  and  certain  rights
associated with such shares.

                           "Reportable Event" means any of the events described
in  Section  4043(c)  of  ERISA  or  the  regulations  thereunder  other  than a
Reportable  Event as to which  the  provision  of 30 days  notice to the PBGC is
waived under applicable regulations.

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

                           "Required Lenders" means, at any time, Lenders whose
Pro Rata Shares aggregate fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the Commitments or,
if the Commitments have been terminated irrevocably, 51% of the Obligations then
outstanding.

                           "Retiree Health Plan" means an "employee welfare
benefit plan" within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA that provides benefits
to individuals after termination of their employment,  other than as required by
Section 601 of ERISA.

                           "Revolving Credit Commitment" means, at any time with
respect to a Lender,  the  principal  amount set forth beside such Lender's name
under the heading "Revolving Credit Commitment" on Schedule C-1 or on Annex I of
the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender assumed a portion of
the aggregate  Revolving Credit  Commitment in accordance with the provisions of
Section 16.1, as such Commitment may be adjusted from time to time in accordance
with the provisions of Section 16.1.

                           "Revolving Facility Usage" means, as of any date of
determination, the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of Advances outstanding, plus
(b) the Letter of Credit Usage.

                           "SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission and any successor Federal agency having similar powers.

                           "Securities Account" means a "securities account" as
that term is defined in Section 8-501 of the Code.

                           "Settlement" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.1(h)(i).

                           "Settlement Date" has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.1(h)(i).

                           "Share Charge" means the Share Charge, dated as of
even date herewith,  made by the Parent in favor of the Agent for the benefit of
the Lenders, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                           "Solvent" means, with respect to any Person on a
particular date, that on such date (a) at fair valuations, all of the properties
and assets of such  Person  are  greater  than the sum of the  debts,  including
contingent  liabilities,  of such Person,  (b) the present fair salable value of
the  properties  and assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will
be required to pay the  probable  liability  of such Person on its debts as they
become  absolute  and  matured,  (c) such  Person  is able to  realize  upon its
properties  and  assets  and pay its  debts and  other  liabilities,  contingent
obligations  and  other  commitments  as they  mature  in the  normal  course of
business, (d) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will,
incur debts beyond such Person's  ability to pay as such debts  mature,  and (e)
such Person is not engaged in  business  or a  transaction,  and is not about to
engage in business or a  transaction,  for which such  Person's  properties  and
assets  would   constitute   unreasonably   small   capital   after  giving  due
consideration  to the prevailing  practices in the industry in which such Person
is engaged. In computing the amount of contingent liabilities at any time, it is
intended that such  liabilities will be computed at the amount that, in light of
all the facts and  circumstances  existing at such time,  represents  the amount
that reasonably can be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

                           "Stock" means all shares, options, warrants,
interests,  participations,  or other equivalents (regardless of how designated)
of or in a  corporation  or  equivalent  entity,  whether  voting or  nonvoting,
including common stock, preferred stock, or any other "equity security" (as such
term is defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations  promulgated
by the SEC under the Exchange Act).

                           "Subordinated Exchange Nonconvertible Notes" means
the subordinated nonconvertible notes of the Parent issuable in exchange for the
Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures.

                           "Subsidiary" of a Person means a corporation,
partnership,  limited  liability  company,  or other entity in which that Person
directly or indirectly  owns or controls the shares of Stock or other  ownership
interests  having  ordinary  voting  power to elect a  majority  of the board of
directors  (or  appoint  other   comparable   managers)  of  such   corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, or other entity.

                           "Term A Loan" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.4(a)(i).

                           "Term A Loan Commitment" means the amount set forth
opposite  such  Lender's  name on  Schedule  C-1 as such  Lender's  "Term A Loan
Commitment", as the same may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement.

                           "Term B Loan" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.4(a)(ii).

                           "Term B Loan Commitment" means the amount set forth
opposite  such  Lender's  name on  Schedule  C-1 as such  Lender's  "Term B Loan
Commitment", as the same may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement.

                           "Term B Loan Lender" has the meaning set forth in
Section 15.1.

                           "Term Loan Obligations" means any Obligation with
respect to the Term Loans (including, without limitation, the principal thereof,
interest thereon, and fees and expenses specifically related thereto).

                           "Term Loans" means, collectively, the Term A Loan and
the Term B Loan.

                           "Trademark Security Agreement" means that certain
Trademark Security Agreement,  dated as of even date herewith,  between Borrower
and Agent, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.

                           "Vital"  means  Vital  Network  Services,  L.L.C.,  a
Delaware limited liability company.

                           "Voidable Transfer" has the meaning set forth in
Section 19.8.

                  1.2 Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically
defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP. When used herein, the
term  "financial  statements"


                                      -22-
<PAGE>

shall include the notes and schedules thereto. Whenever the term "Parent and its
Subsidiaries"  is  used  in  respect  of  a  financial  covenant  or  a  related
definition,  it shall be understood to mean the Parent and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

                  1.3 Code. Any terms used in this Agreement that are defined
in the Code  shall be  construed  and  defined  as set forth in the Code  unless
otherwise defined herein.

                  1.4 Construction.  Unless the context of this Agreement or any
other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include
the  singular,   references  to  the  singular  include  the  plural,  the  term
"including"  is not  limiting,  and the term "or" has,  except  where  otherwise
indicated,  the inclusive meaning  represented by the phrase "and/or." The words
"hereof," "herein,"  "hereby,"  "hereunder," and similar terms in this Agreement
or any other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or any other Loan  Documents,
as the case  may be,  as a whole  and not to any  particular  provision  of this
Agreement or such other Loan  Document,  as the case may be. An Event of Default
shall "continue" or be "continuing"  until such Event of Default has been waived
in  writing  by  Agent.  Section,  subsection,  clause,  schedule,  and  exhibit
references are to this Agreement  unless otherwise  specified.  Any reference in
this  Agreement or in the Loan  Documents  to this  Agreement or any of the Loan
Documents  shall  include  all  alterations,  amendments,  changes,  extensions,
modifications, renewals, replacements,  substitutions, joiners, and supplements,
thereto and thereof, as applicable.

                  1.5  Schedules and Exhibits.  All of the schedules and
exhibits  attached  to this  Agreement  shall be deemed  incorporated  herein by
reference.

         2.       LOAN AND TERMS OF PAYMENT.

                  2.1      Revolving Advances.

                           (a)      Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement,  each  Lender  severally  agrees  to make  advances  ("Advances")  to
Borrowers in an amount at any one time  outstanding  not to exceed such Lender's
Pro Rata  Share of an amount  equal to the lesser of (i) the  Maximum  Revolving
Amount less the Letter of Credit Usage,  or (ii) the Borrowing Base less (A) the
aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Usage, less (B) the aggregate amount of
the Inventory Reserves. For purposes of this Agreement,  "Borrowing Base", as of
any date of determination, shall mean the result of:

                                    (x)  85% of Eligible Accounts, less the
amount,  if any, of the sum of (i) the Dilution  Reserve,  and (ii) the Exchange
Rate Reserve, plus

                                    (y) the lowest of (i)  $7,500,000,  and (ii)
the  sum of (A)  20%  of the  value  of  Eligible  Inventory  consisting  of raw
materials plus (B) 40% of the value of Eligible Inventory consisting of finished
goods, minus

                                    (z)  the aggregate amount of reserves, if
any, established by Agent under Section 2.1(b).


                                      -23-

<PAGE>

                           (b)      Advance Rate Adjustments and Reserves;
Inventory Reappraisals.

                                    (i)     Anything to the contrary in Section
2.1(a) above  notwithstanding,  Agent may create reserves  against the Borrowing
Base or reduce the Lender Group's advance rates based upon Eligible  Accounts or
Eligible  Inventory  without  declaring  an Event of Default  (A) for any amount
subject to a Permitted  Protest,  (B) for amounts  owing to landlords or similar
Persons that could assert a statutory lien in respect of any of the  Collateral,
(C) for an amount equal to the  quarterly  royalty  payments due to licensors of
technology  that has been licensed to a Borrower and included in such Borrower's
Inventory,  (D) for an amount equal to one and one-half  month's  required  debt
service payments on the Indebtedness  incurred by DataComm Leasing,  existing on
the Closing Date and secured by chattel paper and the related leased  Equipment,
and (E) as determined by Agent in its reasonable credit judgment.  Lenders shall
have no  obligation  to make  further  Advances  hereunder  to the  extent  such
Advances  would cause the  outstanding  Revolving  Facility  Usage to exceed the
Maximum Revolving  Amount.  Amounts borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.1 may be
repaid and, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, reborrowed at
any time during the term of this Agreement.

                                    (ii)    Agent shall have the right to have
the Inventory  reappraised by a qualified  appraiser selected by Agent from time
to time after the Closing Date for the purpose of redetermining  the Liquidation
Value of the Inventory.  In the absence of a continuing  Event of Default,  such
appraisals may occur annually.

                           (c)      Procedure for Borrowing.  Each Borrowing
shall  be made  upon  Administrative  Borrower's  irrevocable  request  therefor
delivered to Agent  (which  notice must be received by Agent no later than 10:00
a.m.  (California time) on the Business Day immediately  preceding the requested
Funding Date,  specifying (i) the amount of the Borrowing and (ii) the requested
Funding Date,  which shall be a Business Day. The amount of each Borrowing shall
not be less than $200,000.

                           (d)      Agent's Election.  Promptly after receipt of
a request for a Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.1(c),  Agent shall elect, in its
discretion,  (i) to have the terms of  Section  2.1(e)  apply to such  requested
Borrowing,  or (ii) to request  Foothill to make a Foothill Loan pursuant to the
terms of Section  2.1(f) in the  amount of the  requested  Borrowing;  provided,
however,  that if Foothill  declines in its sole  discretion  to make a Foothill
Loan pursuant to Section 2.1(f),  Agent shall elect to have the terms of Section
2.1(e) apply to such requested Borrowing.

                           (e)      Making of Advances.

                                    (i)     In the event that Agent shall elect
to have the terms of this  Section  2.1(e)  apply to a  requested  Borrowing  as
described in Section  2.1(d),  then  promptly  after  receipt of a request for a
Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.1(c), the Agent shall notify Lenders,  not later
than 1:00 p.m.  (California time) on the Business Day immediately  preceding the
Funding Date applicable thereto, by telecopy,  telephone,  or other similar form
of transmission,  of the requested Borrowing.  Each Lender shall make the amount
of such Lender's Pro Rata Share of the requested Borrowing available to Agent in
immediately  available  funds,  to such account of Agent

                                      -24-
<PAGE>

as Agent may  designate,  not later  than 10:00  a.m.  (California  time) on the
Funding Date applicable  thereto.  After Agent's receipt of the proceeds of such
Advances,  upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions precedent set forth in
Sections 3.1 and 3.2,  Agent shall make the proceeds of such Advances  available
to Borrowers on the applicable Funding Date by transferring same day funds equal
to the proceeds of such Advances  received by Agent to the  Designated  Account;
provided,  however,  that,  subject to the provisions of Section  2.1(k),  Agent
shall not request any Lender to make, and no Lender shall have the obligation to
make,  any Advance if Agent shall have received  written notice from any Lender,
or  otherwise  has  actual  knowledge  that  (1) one or  more of the  applicable
conditions  precedent  set forth in Section 3.1 or 3.2 will not be  satisfied on
the requested  Funding Date for the applicable  Borrowing  unless such condition
has been waived, or (2) the requested Borrowing would exceed the Availability on
such Funding Date.

                                    (ii)    Unless Agent receives notice from a
Lender on or prior to the Closing Date or, with respect to any  Borrowing  after
the  Closing  Date,  at least  one (1)  Business  Day  prior to the date of such
Borrowing,  that  such  Lender  will not  make  available  as and when  required
hereunder to Agent for the account of Borrowers  the amount of such Lender's Pro
Rata Share of the Borrowing,  Agent may assume that each Lender has made or will
make  such  amount  available  to Agent in  immediately  available  funds on the
Funding Date and Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance upon such
assumption,  make available to Borrowers on such date a corresponding amount. If
and to the extent any Lender  shall not have made its full amount  available  to
Agent in  immediately  available  funds and Agent shall have made  available  to
Borrowers such amount, then such Lender shall on the Business Day following such
Funding Date make such amount available to Agent,  together with interest at the
Defaulting  Lenders  Rate for each day during such  period.  A notice from Agent
submitted  to any Lender with  respect to amounts  owing  under this  subsection
shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. If such amount is paid to Agent such
payment to Agent shall  constitute such Lender's Advance on the Funding Date for
all  purposes  of this  Agreement.  If such  amount  is not paid to Agent on the
Business Day  following the Funding  Date,  Agent will notify  Borrowers of such
failure to fund and,  upon demand by Agent,  Borrowers  shall pay such amount to
Agent for Agent's  account,  together with interest thereon for each day elapsed
since the date of such Borrowing, at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate
then  applicable  to Advances.  The failure of any Lender to make any Advance on
any Funding Date shall not relieve any other Lender of any obligation  hereunder
to make an Advance on such Funding Date, but no Lender shall be responsible  for
the  failure  of any other  Lender to make the  Advance to be made by such other
Lender on such Funding Date.

                                    (iii)   Agent shall not be obligated to
transfer to a Defaulting  Lender any payments made by Borrowers to Agent for the
Defaulting  Lender's  benefit;  nor shall a Defaulting Lender be entitled to the
sharing of any payments hereunder.  Amounts payable to a Defaulting Lender shall
instead be paid to or retained by Agent.  Agent may hold and, in its discretion,
re-lend to Borrowers the amount of all such payments  received or retained by it
for the account of such Defaulting Lender.  Solely for the purposes of voting or
consenting  to matters with respect to the Loan  Documents and  determining  Pro
Rata  Shares,  such  Defaulting  Lender shall be deemed not to be a "Lender" and
such Lender's  Commitment  shall be deemed to be zero (-0-).  This section shall
remain  effective  with respect to such Lender until (x) the  Obligations  under
this Agreement shall have been declared or shall have become immediately due

                                      -25-

<PAGE>

and  payable or (y) the  requisite  non-Defaulting  Lenders and Agent shall have
waived such Lender's default in writing. The operation of this section shall not
be construed to increase or otherwise  affect the  Commitment of any Lender,  or
relieve or excuse the  performance by any Borrower of its duties and obligations
hereunder.

                           (f)      Making of Foothill Loans.

                                    (i)     In the event Agent shall elect, with
the consent of Foothill as a Lender,  to have the terms of this  Section  2.1(f)
apply to a requested  Borrowing as described  in Section  2.1(d),  Foothill as a
Lender shall make an Advance in the amount of such  Borrowing  (any such Advance
made solely by  Foothill  as a Lender  pursuant  to this  Section  2.1(f)  being
referred  to  as  a  "Foothill   Loan"  and  such  Advances  being  referred  to
collectively  as  "Foothill  Loans")  available to Borrowers on the Funding Date
applicable  thereto  by  transferring  same day funds to  Borrowers'  Designated
Account.  Each Foothill Loan is an Advance hereunder and shall be subject to all
the terms and conditions applicable to other Advances,  except that all payments
thereon shall be payable to Foothill as a Lender solely for its own account (and
for the account of the holder of any participation interest with respect to such
Advance).  Subject to the provisions of Section 2.1(k),  Agent shall not request
Foothill  as a Lender to make,  and  Foothill  as a Lender  shall not make,  any
Foothill Loan if Agent shall have received  written  notice from any Lender,  or
otherwise  has  actual  knowledge,  that  (i)  one or  more  of  the  applicable
conditions  precedent  set forth in Sections 3.1 or 3.2 will not be satisfied on
the requested  Funding Date for the applicable  Borrowing  unless such condition
has been waived,  or (ii) the requested  Borrowing would exceed the Availability
on such Funding  Date.  Foothill as a Lender shall not  otherwise be required to
determine whether the applicable  conditions precedent set forth in Sections 3.1
or 3.2 have been  satisfied  on the Funding  Date  applicable  thereto  prior to
making, in its sole discretion, any Foothill Loan.

                                    (ii)    The Foothill Loans shall be secured
by the Collateral and shall constitute Advances and Obligations  hereunder,  and
shall bear interest at the rate then applicable to Advances  pursuant to Section
2.6.

                           (g)      Agent Advances.

                                    (i)     Subject to the limitations set forth
in the proviso  contained in this Section 2.1(g),  Agent hereby is authorized by
Borrowers and Lenders,  from time to time in Agent's sole discretion,  (1) after
the  occurrence  and during the  continuance of a Default or an Event of Default
(but without  constituting  a waiver of such Default or Event of Default) or (2)
at any time that any of the other applicable  conditions  precedent set forth in
Section 3.1 or 3.2 have not been  satisfied,  to make  Advances to  Borrowers on
behalf of Lenders  which  Agent,  in its  reasonable  business  judgment,  deems
necessary or desirable (A) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion
thereof,  (B) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment
of the Obligations,  or (C) to pay any other amount  chargeable to the Borrowers
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including Lender Group Expenses and the
costs, fees, and expenses described in Section 10 (any of the Advances described
in this  Section  2.1(g)  being  hereinafter  referred to as "Agent  Advances");
provided, that the Required Lenders may at any

                                      -26-
<PAGE>

time revoke Agent's authorization contained in this Section 2.1(g) to make Agent
Advances,  any such  revocation  to be in writing and to become  effective  upon
Agent's receipt thereof.

                                    (ii)   Agent Advances shall be repayable by
Borrowers on demand and secured by the Collateral, shall constitute Advances and
Obligations  hereunder,  and shall bear interest at the rate then  applicable to
Advances pursuant to Section 2.6.

                           (h)      Settlement.  It is agreed that each Lender's
funded  portion of the  Advances is intended by Lenders to be equal at all times
to such  Lender's Pro Rata Share of the  outstanding  Advances.  Such  agreement
notwithstanding,  Agent,  Foothill, and the other Lenders agree (which agreement
shall not be for the benefit of or enforceable by any Borrower) that in order to
facilitate the  administration  of this Agreement and the other Loan  Documents,
settlement  among  them as to the  Advances,  the  Foothill  Loans and the Agent
Advances shall take place on a periodic  basis in accordance  with the following
provisions:

                                    (i)     Agent shall request settlement
("Settlement")  with the Lenders on a weekly basis,  or on a more frequent basis
if so  determined  by Agent,  (1) on behalf of  Foothill,  with  respect to each
outstanding  Foothill Loan, (2) for itself,  with respect to each Agent Advance,
and (3) with respect to Collections  received,  as to each Lender,  by notifying
the Lenders by telecopy,  telephone,  or other similar form of transmission,  of
such  requested  Settlement,  no later than 2:00 p.m.  (California  time) on the
Business Day  immediately  prior to the date of such requested  Settlement  (the
date of such requested Settlement being the "Settlement Date"). Such notice of a
Settlement  Date shall include a summary  statement of the amount of outstanding
Advances,  Foothill  Loans and Agent  Advances  for the  period  since the prior
Settlement  Date,  the amount of  repayments  received in such  period,  and the
amounts  allocated to each Lender of the  principal,  interest,  fees, and other
charges for such period.  Subject to the terms and conditions  contained  herein
(including  Section  2.1(e)(iii)):  (y) if a Lender's  balance of the  Advances,
Foothill  Loans and Agent  Advances  exceeds such Lender's Pro Rata Share of the
Advances, Foothill Loans and Agent Advances as of a Settlement Date, then, Agent
shall by no later than  12:00 p.m.  (California  time) on such  Settlement  Date
transfer in immediately  available funds to the account of such Lender as Lender
may designate,  an amount such that each such Lender shall, upon receipt of such
amount,  have as of the  Settlement  Date,  its Pro Rata Share of the  Advances,
Foothill  Loans  and  Agent  Advances;  and  (z) if a  Lender's  balance  of the
Advances,  Foothill Loans and Agent Advances is less than such Lender's Pro Rata
Share of the  Advances,  Foothill  Loans and Agent  Advances as of a  Settlement
Date,  such Lender shall by no later than 12:00 p.m.  (California  time) on such
Settlement Date transfer in immediately available funds to such account of Agent
as Agent may  designate,  an amount  such that  each  such  Lender  shall,  upon
transfer of such amount,  have as of such Settlement Date, its Pro Rata Share of
the Advances,  Foothill Loans and Agent Advances. Such amounts made available to
Agent under clause (z) of the  immediately  preceding  sentence shall be applied
against the amounts of the applicable  Foothill Loan or Agent Advance and shall,
together with the portion of such  Foothill  Loan or Agent Advance  representing
Foothill's Pro Rata Share thereof, shall constitute Advances of such Lenders. If
any such amount is not made  available to Agent by any Lender on the  Settlement
Date applicable thereto to the extent required by the terms hereof,  Agent shall
be entitled to recover for its  account,  such amount on demand from such Lender
together with interest thereon at the Defaulting Lenders Rate.

                                      -27-
<PAGE>

                                    (ii)    In determining whether a Lender's
balance of the Advances,  Foothill Loans and Agent Advances is less than,  equal
to, or greater than such Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Advances, Foothill Loans
and Agent Advances as of a Settlement Date, Agent shall, as part of the relevant
Settlement,  apply to such balance the portion of payments  actually received in
good funds by Agent or Foothill  with  respect to  principal,  interest and fees
payable by  Borrowers  and  allocable  to Lenders  hereunder,  and  proceeds  of
Collateral.  To the extent  that a net amount is owed to any such  Lender  after
such  application,  such net amount shall be distributed by Agent or Foothill to
that Lender as part of such Settlement.

                                    (iii)   Between Settlement Dates, Agent, to
the extent no Agent Advances or Foothill Loans are outstanding,  may pay over to
Foothill any payments  received by Agent which in  accordance  with the terms of
this  Agreement  would  be  applied  to  the  reduction  of  the  Advances,  for
application  to  Foothill's  Pro  Rata  Share  of the  Advances.  If,  as of any
Settlement  Date,  Collections  received  since the then  immediately  preceding
Settlement  Date have been applied to Foothill's  Pro Rata Share of the Advances
other than to Foothill Loans or Agent Advances,  as provided for in the previous
sentence, Foothill shall pay to Agent for the accounts of the Lenders, and Agent
shall pay to the  Lenders,  to be applied to the  outstanding  Advances  of such
Lenders,  an amount such that each Lender  shall,  upon  receipt of such amount,
have, as of such Settlement Date, its Pro Rata Share of the Advances. During the
period between Settlement Dates,  Foothill with respect to Foothill Loans, Agent
with  respect to Agent  Advances  and each Lender with  respect to the  Advances
other than Foothill Loans and Agent  Advances,  shall be entitled to interest at
the applicable rate or rates payable under this Agreement on the daily amount of
funds employed by Foothill, Agent, or the Lenders, as applicable.

                           (i)      Notation.  Agent shall record on its books
the  principal  amount  of the  Advances  owing to each  Lender,  including  the
Foothill  Loans owing to  Foothill,  and Agent  Advances  owing to Agent and the
interests therein of each Lender, from time to time. In addition, each Lender is
authorized, at such Lender's option, to note the date and amount of each payment
or prepayment  of principal of such Lender's  Advances in its books and records,
including  computer  records,  such books and  records  constituting  rebuttably
presumptive evidence,  absent manifest error, of the accuracy of the information
contained therein.

                           (j)      Lenders' Failure to Perform.  All Advances
(other  than  Foothill  Loans  and  Agent  Advances)  shall  be made by  Lenders
simultaneously  and in accordance  with their Pro Rata Shares.  It is understood
that (i) no Lender shall be  responsible  for any failure by any other Lender to
perform its obligation to make any Advances hereunder,  nor shall any Commitment
of any Lender be  increased or decreased as a result of any failure by any other
Lender to perform its  obligation  to make any Advances  hereunder,  and (ii) no
failure by any Lender to perform its  obligation to make any Advances  hereunder
shall  excuse  any  other  Lender  from  its  obligation  to make  any  Advances
hereunder.

                           (k)      Overadvances.  (i)  Agent may make voluntary
Overadvances without the written consent of Required Lenders for amounts charged
to the Loan  Account for  interest,  fees or Lender Group  Expenses  pursuant to
Section 2.1(g)(i)(2)(C). Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, knowingly and
intentionally continue to make Advances to Borrowers if, at any time, (1) either
(A) the outstanding Revolving Facility Usage would not exceed the

                                      -28-
<PAGE>

Borrowing  Base by more than  $4,000,000  or (B) (y) the  outstanding  Revolving
Facility  Usage  would not  exceed  the  Borrowing  Base by more than the amount
proposed by Agent and agreed to by Required  Lenders,  and (z) such Advances are
made  pursuant to a plan  (proposed by Agent and agreed to by Required  Lenders)
for the elimination of the outstanding Revolving Facility Usage in excess of the
Borrowing Base, and (2) the outstanding Revolving Facility Usage (except for and
excluding amounts charged to the Loan Account for interest, fees or Lender Group
Expenses) does not exceed the Maximum Revolving Amount. The foregoing provisions
are for the sole and exclusive benefit of Agent and Lenders and are not intended
to benefit any Borrower in any way. The Agent  Advances and Foothill  Loans,  as
applicable,  that are made  pursuant to this Section  2.1(k) shall be subject to
the same  terms and  conditions  as any  other  Advance  or  Foothill  Loan,  as
applicable,  except that the rate of interest  applicable  thereto  shall be the
rates set forth in Section  2.6(c)(i)  without regard to the presence or absence
of a Default or Event of Default;  provided,  that Required  Lenders may, at any
time,  revoke  Agent's  authorization  contained in this Section  2.1(k) to make
Overadvances  (except for and excluding  amounts charged to the Loan Account for
interest,  fees, or Lender Group Expenses), any such revocation to be in writing
and to become effective upon Agent's receipt thereof; provided further, however,
that the making of such Overadvances shall not constitute a waiver of such Event
of Default arising therefrom.

                                    (ii)    In the event Agent obtains actual
knowledge  that  Revolving  Facility  Usage exceeds the amount  permitted by the
preceding  paragraph,  regardless  of the amount of or reason  for such  excess,
Agent shall notify Lenders as soon as  practicable  (and prior to making any (or
any further) intentional  Overadvances (except for and excluding amounts charged
to the Loan Account for interest,  fees or Lender Group  Expenses)  unless Agent
determines  that prior notice would result in imminent harm to the Collateral or
its value), and Lenders thereupon shall,  together with Agent, jointly determine
the terms of arrangements  that shall be implemented with Borrowers  intended to
reduce,  within a  reasonable  time,  the  outstanding  principal  amount of the
Advances to Borrowers to an amount permitted by the preceding paragraph.  In the
event any Lender  disagrees over the terms of reduction  and/or repayment of any
Overadvance,   the  terms  of  reduction  and/or  repayment   thereof  shall  be
implemented according to the determination of Required Lenders.

                                    (iii)   Each Lender shall be obligated to
settle with Agent as provided in Section  2.1(h) for the amount of such Lender's
Pro Rata Share of any unintentional  Overadvances  reported to such Lender,  any
intentional  Overadvances  made as permitted under this Section 2.1(k),  and any
Overadvances  resulting from the charging to the Loan Account of interest,  fees
or Lender Group Expenses.

                  2.2      Letters of Credit.

                           (a)      Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement,  Agent agrees on behalf of the Lenders  that have a Revolving  Credit
Commitment  greater than zero to issue letters of credit for the account of each
Borrower (each, an "L/C") or to issue guarantees of payment (each such guaranty,
an "L/C  Guaranty")  with respect to letters of credit issued by an issuing bank
for the account of each Borrower. Agent shall have no obligation to issue an L/C
or L/C Guaranty if any of the following would result:

                                      -29-
<PAGE>

                                    (i)  100%  of the  aggregate  amount  of all
                  Letter of Credit Usage,  would exceed the Borrowing  Base less
                  the amount of outstanding  Advances less the aggregate  amount
                  of Inventory  Reserves and reserves  established under Section
                  2.1(b); or

                                    (ii) the  aggregate  amount of all Letter of
                  Credit  Usage  would  exceed  the  lower of:  (x) the  Maximum
                  Revolving Amount less the amount of outstanding  Advances less
                  the  aggregate  amount  of  Inventory  Reserves  and  reserves
                  established under Section 2.1(b); or (y) $5,000,000; or

                                    (iii)   the outstanding Obligations would
exceed the Maximum Amount.

Each  Borrower  expressly  understands  and  agrees  that  Agent  shall  have no
obligation to arrange for the issuance by issuing banks of the letters of credit
that are to be the subject of L/C Guarantees. Each Borrower and the Lender Group
acknowledge  and agree that  certain of the letters of credit that are to be the
subject of L/C Guarantees may be outstanding on the Closing Date. Each Letter of
Credit  shall  have an expiry  date no later  than 60 days  prior to the date on
which this Agreement is scheduled to terminate under Section 3.4 (without regard
to any  potential  renewal term) and all such Letters of Credit shall be in form
and substance acceptable to Agent in its sole discretion. If the Lender Group is
obligated to advance funds under a Letter of Credit, Borrowers immediately shall
reimburse  such amount to Agent and, in the absence of such  reimbursement,  the
amount  so  advanced  immediately  and  automatically  shall be  deemed to be an
Advance  hereunder  and,  thereafter,  shall  bear  interest  at the  rate  then
applicable to Advances under Section 2.6.

                           (b)      Borrowers, jointly and severally, hereby
agree to indemnify,  save,  defend,  and hold the Lender Group harmless from any
loss, cost, expense, or liability,  including payments made by the Lender Group,
expenses, and reasonable attorneys fees incurred by the Lender Group arising out
of or in connection with any Letter of Credit.  Each Borrower agrees to be bound
by the issuing bank's  regulations and  interpretations of any Letters of Credit
guarantied by the Lender Group and opened to or for such  Borrower's  account or
by Agent's  interpretations of any L/C issued by the Lender Group to or for such
Borrower's  account,  even though this interpretation may be different from such
Borrower's  own, and each Borrower  understands and agrees that the Lender Group
shall not be liable for any error,  negligence,  or mistake, whether of omission
or commission,  in following each Borrower's  instructions or those contained in
the Letter of Credit or any modifications,  amendments,  or supplements thereto,
except  to the  extent  that a  court  of  competent  jurisdiction  has  finally
determined that the liability  resulted from the Lender Group's gross negligence
or willful  misconduct.  Each Borrower  understands  that the L/C Guarantees may
require the Lender  Group to  indemnify  the issuing  bank for certain  costs or
liabilities  arising  out of claims by a Borrower  against  such  issuing  bank.
Borrowers,  jointly and severally,  hereby agree to indemnify, save, defend, and
hold  the  Lender  Group  harmless  with  respect  to any  loss,  cost,  expense
(including reasonable attorneys fees), or liability incurred by the Lender Group
under any L/C Guaranty as a result of the Lender Group's  indemnification of any
such issuing bank.

                                      -30-
<PAGE>

                           (c)      Each Borrower hereby authorizes and directs
any bank that  issues a letter  of  credit  guaranteed  by the  Lender  Group to
deliver to Agent all  instruments,  documents,  and other  writings and property
received by the issuing  bank  pursuant to such letter of credit,  and to accept
and rely upon Agent's  instructions  and agreements  with respect to all matters
arising in connection with such letter of credit and the related application.  A
Borrower may or may not be the  "applicant"  or "account  party" with respect to
such letter of credit.

                           (d)      Any and all charges, commissions, fees, and
costs  incurred  by Agent or Lender  Group  relating  to the  letters  of credit
guaranteed  by the Lender Group shall be  considered  Lender Group  Expenses for
purposes of this Agreement and immediately shall be reimbursable by Borrowers to
Agent.

                           (e)      Immediately upon the termination of this
Agreement,  Borrowers  agree to either (i) provide cash collateral to be held by
Agent in an amount  equal to 105% of the  maximum  amount of the Lender  Group's
obligations  under all Letters of Credit, or (ii) cause to be delivered to Agent
releases of all of the Lender Group's  obligations under outstanding  Letters of
Credit.  At Agent's  discretion,  any proceeds of  Collateral  (up to said 105%)
received by Agent after the occurrence and during the  continuation  of an Event
of Default may be held as the cash collateral required by this Section 2.2(e).

                           (f)      If by reason of (i) any change in any
applicable law, treaty,  rule, or regulation or any change in the interpretation
or application by any Governmental Authority of any such applicable law, treaty,
rule, or  regulation,  or (ii)  compliance by Agent,  the issuing bank or Lender
Group with any  direction,  request,  or  requirement  (irrespective  of whether
having the force of law) of any  Governmental  Authority  or monetary  authority
including,  without  limitation,  Regulation  D of the Board of Governors of the
Federal  Reserve  System  as from  time to time in  effect  (and  any  successor
thereto):

                                    (A)     any reserve, deposit, or similar
requirement  is or shall be imposed  or  modified  in respect of any  Letters of
Credit issued hereunder, or

                                    (B)     there shall be imposed on the
issuing bank or Lender Group any other condition regarding any letter of credit,
L/C or L/C Guaranty, as applicable, issued pursuant hereto;and the result of the
foregoing is to increase, directly or indirectly, the cost to the Agent, issuing
bank or Lender Group of issuing, making, guaranteeing, or maintaining any letter
of  credit,  L/C or  L/C  Guaranty,  as  applicable,  or to  reduce  the  amount
receivable in respect thereof by such Agent, issuing bank or Lender Group, then,
and in any such case,  Agent may, at any time within a  reasonable  period after
the  additional  cost is  incurred or the amount  received  is  reduced,  notify
Administrative  Borrower,  and Borrowers shall pay on demand such amounts as the
issuing  bank or Agent may  specify to be  necessary  to  compensate  the Agent,
issuing  bank or  Lender  Group for such  additional  cost or  reduced  receipt,
together with interest on such amount from the date of such demand until payment
in full  thereof  at the rate set  forth in  Section  2.7(a)(i)  or  (c)(i),  as
applicable.  The determination by the issuing bank or Agent, as the case may be,
of any amount due pursuant to this Section 2.2(f), as set forth in a certificate
setting  forth the  calculation  thereof

                                      -31-
<PAGE>

in reasonable detail,  shall, in the absence of manifest or demonstrable  error,
be final and conclusive and binding on all of the parties hereto.

                  2.3      Participations in Letters of Credit.

                           (a)      Purchase of Participations.  Immediately
upon  issuance of any Letter of Credit in  accordance  with  Section  2.2,  each
Lender  that  has  a  Revolving  Credit  Commitment  shall  be  deemed  to  have
irrevocably  and  unconditionally  purchased  and received  without  recourse or
warranty,  an undivided  interest  and  participation  in the credit  support or
enhancement  provided  through  Agent  to such  issuer  in  connection  with the
issuance of such Letter of Credit,  equal to such Lender's Pro Rata Share of the
face  amount of such  Letter  of  Credit  (including,  without  limitation,  all
obligations  of Borrowers  with respect  thereto,  and any security  therefor or
guaranty pertaining thereto).

                           (b)      Documentation.  Upon the request of any
Lender,  Agent  shall  furnish  to such  Lender  copies of any Letter of Credit,
guaranty,  security agreement or reimbursement  agreement executed in connection
therewith,   application  for  any  Letter  of  Credit  and  credit  support  or
enhancement provided through Agent in connection with the issuance of any Letter
of Credit,  and such other  documentation as may reasonably be requested by such
Lender.

                           (c)      Obligations Irrevocable.  The obligations
of each Lender to make payments to Agent with respect to any Letter of Credit or
with respect to any other credit support or enhancement  provided  through Agent
with  respect to a Letter of Credit,  and the  obligations  of Borrowers to make
payments to Agent, for the account of Lenders, shall be irrevocable, not subject
to any qualification or exception whatsoever, including, without limitation, any
of the following circumstances:

                                    (i)     any lack of validity or
enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents;

                                    (ii)    the existence of any claim, setoff,
defense,  or other  right  which  any  Borrower  may have at any time  against a
beneficiary  named in a Letter  of  Credit or any  transferee  of any  Letter of
Credit (or any Person for whom any such  transferee may be acting),  any Lender,
Agent,  the issuer of such  Letter of Credit,  or any other  Person,  whether in
connection  with  this  Agreement,   any  Letter  of  Credit,  the  transactions
contemplated  herein or any unrelated  transactions  (including  any  underlying
transactions between such Borrower or any other Person and the beneficiary named
in any Letter of Credit);

                                    (iii)   any draft, certificate, or any other
document presented under the Letter of Credit proving to be forged,  fraudulent,
invalid, or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or
inaccurate in any respect;

                                    (iv)    the surrender or impairment of any
security for the  performance  or  observance  of any of the terms of any of the
Loan Documents; or

                                    (v)     the occurrence of any Default or
Event of Default.

                                      -32-
<PAGE>

                           (d)      Recovery or Avoidance of Payments.  In the
event any payment by or on behalf of a Borrower  received by Agent with  respect
to any  Letter  of  Credit  (or any  guaranty  by a  Borrower  or  reimbursement
obligation of a Borrower  relating  thereto) and distributed by the Agent to the
Lenders on account of their respective participations therein, is thereafter set
aside,  avoided or recovered  from Agent in  connection  with any  receivership,
liquidation or bankruptcy  proceeding,  the Lenders shall, upon demand by Agent,
pay to Agent their respective Pro Rata Shares of such amount set aside,  avoided
or  recovered,  together  with interest at the rate required to be paid by Agent
upon the amount required to be repaid by it.

                  2.4 Term Loans.  (a)(i) Subject to the terms and conditions
of this  Agreement,  each  Lender  that has a Term A Loan  Commitment  severally
agrees to make a term loan on the Closing  Date (the "Term A Loan") to Borrowers
in the original  aggregate  principal  amount equal to such Lender's Term A Loan
Commitment. The Term A Loan shall be repaid in monthly installments of principal
equal to $250,000.  Each such installment  shall be due and payable on the first
day of each month  commencing on the first day of the thirteenth month following
the Closing Date and continuing on the first day of each succeeding  month until
and including the date on which the unpaid balance of the Term A Loan is paid in
full.  The  outstanding  principal  balance and all accrued and unpaid  interest
under the Term A Loan  shall be due and  payable  upon the  termination  of this
Agreement  (or all  Revolving  Credit  Commitments),  whether by its  terms,  by
prepayment,  by acceleration,  or otherwise. The unpaid principal balance of the
Term A Loan may be prepaid in whole or in part without penalty or premium at any
time  during the term of this  Agreement  upon 30 days prior  written  notice by
Borrowers to Agent,  all such prepaid amounts to be applied to the  installments
due on the Term A Loan in the inverse order of their maturity, provided that, no
such  prepayment of the Term A Loan shall be made unless,  both before and after
giving effect  thereto,  Availability is not less than  $1,000,000.  All amounts
outstanding under the Term A Loan shall constitute Obligations.

                                    (ii)    Subject to the terms and conditions
of this  Agreement,  each  Lender  that has a Term B Loan  Commitment  severally
agrees to make a term loan on the Closing  Date (the "Term B Loan") to Borrowers
in the original  aggregate  principal  amount equal to such Lender's Term B Loan
Commitment.  The outstanding  principal  amount of the Term B Loan (after giving
effect to any  conversions  pursuant  to Section  15 hereof)  shall be repaid in
monthly installments of principal equal to $62,500.  Each such installment shall
be due and payable on the first day of each month commencing on the first day of
the thirteenth  month following the Closing Date and continuing on the first day
of each  succeeding  month  until and  including  the date on which  the  unpaid
balance  of the Term B Loan is paid in full or has been  converted  pursuant  to
Section 15 hereof. The outstanding  principal balance and all accrued and unpaid
interest under the Term B Loan shall be due and payable upon the  termination of
this Agreement (or all Revolving Credit  Commitments),  whether by its terms, by
prepayment,  by acceleration,  or otherwise.  If and only if the Term A Loan has
been  repaid in full,  the  unpaid  principal  balance of the Term B Loan may be
prepaid in whole or in part  without  penalty or premium at any time  during the
term of this  Agreement upon 30 days prior written notice by Borrowers to Agent,
all such prepaid amounts shall be applied to the  installments due on the Term B
Loan in the  inverse  order  of  their  maturity;  provided,  however,  that (A)
notwithstanding  anything  herein to the contrary,  the Term B Loan Lender shall
have the right to convert  all or any  portion of the Term B Loan into shares of
Common Stock,  pursuant to Section 15 of this Agreement,  at any time during

                                      -33-
<PAGE>

the 30 day  period  after  the  Borrowers'  delivery  of  written  notice of the
proposed  prepayment of the Term B Loan and (B) no such prepayment of the Term B
Loan  shall be made  unless,  both  before  and  after  giving  effect  thereto,
Availability is not less than $1,000,000. All amounts outstanding under the Term
B Loan shall constitute Obligations.

                           (b)      Procedure for Borrowing.  The Borrowing of
the Term Loans shall be made upon Administrative  Borrower's irrevocable request
therefor  delivered  to Agent  (which  notice must be received by Agent no later
than 10:00 a.m. (California time) on the Business Day immediately  preceding the
requested Closing Date specifying (i) the amount of the Borrowing;  and (ii) the
requested Funding Date, which shall be the Closing Date.

                           (c)      Making the Term Loans.

                                    (i)     Promptly after receipt of a request
for a Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.4(b),  Agent shall notify the Lenders, not
later than 1:00 p.m. (California time) on the Business Day immediately preceding
the Funding Date applicable  thereto, by telecopy,  telephone,  or other similar
form of  transmission,  of the requested  Borrowing.  Each Lender shall make the
amount of such Lender's Pro Rata Share of the requested  Borrowing  available to
Agent in same day funds,  to such account of Agent as Agent may  designate,  not
later than 10:00 a.m.  (California time) on the Funding Date applicable thereto.
After Agent's  receipt of the proceeds of the Term Loans,  upon  satisfaction of
the applicable  conditions  precedent set forth in Section 3 hereof, Agent shall
make the proceeds of the Term Loans  available  to  Borrowers on the  applicable
Funding  Date by  transferring  same day funds equal to the proceeds of the Term
Loans received by Agent to the Borrowers' Designated Account; provided, however,
that Agent shall not request  any Lender to make,  and no Lender  shall have the
obligation to make,  the Term Loans if Agent shall have received  written notice
from any Lender,  or  otherwise  has actual  knowledge,  that one or more of the
applicable  conditions  set  forth in  Section  3 will not be  satisfied  on the
requested Funding Date for the Borrowing.

                                    (ii)    Unless Agent receives notice from a
Lender on or prior to the Closing Date that such Lender will not make  available
as and when required  hereunder to Agent for the account of Borrowers the amount
of that  Lender's  Pro Rata Share of the  Borrowing,  Agent may assume that each
Lender  has made or will  make such  amount  available  to Agent in  immediately
available  funds  on the  Funding  Date  and  Agent  may  (but  shall  not be so
required), in reliance upon such assumption, make available to Borrowers on such
date a corresponding amount. If and to the extent any Lender shall not have made
its full amount  available to Agent in immediately  available funds and Agent in
such  circumstances  has made  available to Borrowers  such amount,  that Lender
shall on the Business Day following such Funding Date make such amount available
to Agent,  together  with interest at the  Defaulting  Lenders Rate for each day
during such  period.  A notice  submitted by Agent to any Lender with respect to
amounts owing under this subsection shall be conclusive,  absent manifest error.
If such amount is so made available, such payment to Agent shall constitute such
Lender's Term Loan on the date of Borrowing for all purposes of this  Agreement.
If such amount is not made  available to Agent on the Business Day following the
Funding Date, Agent will notify Administrative  Borrower of such failure to fund
and, upon demand by Agent,  Borrowers shall pay such amount to Agent for Agent's
account,  together with interest  thereon for each day elapsed since the date of

                                      -34-
<PAGE>

such Borrowing, at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable at the
time to the Term Loans  composing such  Borrowing.  The failure of any Lender to
make the Term Loans on the Funding  Date shall not  relieve any other  Lender of
any  obligation  hereunder  to make the Term Loans on the Funding  Date,  but no
Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make the Term
Loans to be made by such other Lender on any Funding Date.

                                    (iii)   Agent shall not be obligated to
transfer to a Defaulting  Lender any payments made by Borrowers to Agent for the
Defaulting  Lender's  benefit;  nor shall a Defaulting Lender be entitled to the
sharing of any payments hereunder.  Amounts payable to a Defaulting Lender shall
instead be paid to or retained by Agent.  Agent may hold and, in its discretion,
re-lend to Borrowers the amount of all such payments  received or retained by it
for the account of such Defaulting Lender.  Solely for the purposes of voting or
consenting  to matters with respect to the Loan  Documents and  determining  Pro
Rata  Shares,  such  Defaulting  Lender shall be deemed not to be a "Lender" and
such Lender's  Commitment  shall be deemed to be zero (-0-).  This section shall
remain  effective  with respect to such Lender until (x) the  Obligations  under
this Agreement shall have been declared or shall have become immediately due and
payable or (y) the requisite  non-Defaulting Lenders, Agent, and Borrowers shall
have waived such  Lender's  default in writing.  The  operation  of this section
shall not be  construed to increase or otherwise  affect the  Commitment  of any
Lender,  or relieve or excuse the  performance by any Borrower of its duties and
obligations hereunder.

                           (d)      Lenders' Failure to Perform.  The Term Loans
shall be made by the Lenders  simultaneously  and in  accordance  with their Pro
Rata Shares.  It is understood  that (i) no Lender shall be responsible  for any
failure by any other  Lender to perform  its  obligation  to make the Term Loans
hereunder, nor shall any Commitment of any Lender be increased or decreased as a
result of any failure by any other Lender to perform its  obligation to make the
Term  Loans  hereunder,  and  (ii) no  failure  by any  Lender  to  perform  its
obligation to make the Term Loans  hereunder  shall excuse any other Lender from
its obligation to make the Term Loans hereunder.

                  2.5   Payments.

                           (a)      Payments by Borrower.

                                    (i)     All payments to be made by Borrowers
shall be made without set-off, recoupment, deduction, or counterclaim, except as
otherwise  required by law. Except as otherwise  expressly  provided herein, all
payments by Borrowers shall be made to Agent for the account of the Lenders,  at
Agent's  address  set forth in  Section  12,  and  shall be made in  immediately
available  funds,  no  later  than  11:00  a.m.  (California  time)  on the date
specified  herein.   Any  payment  received  by  Agent  later  than  11:00  a.m.
(California time), at the option of Agent, shall be deemed to have been received
on the following Business Day and any applicable  interest or fee shall continue
to accrue until such following Business Day.

                                    (ii)    Whenever any payment is due on a day
other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the following  Business
Day,  and  such  extension  of time  shall  in  such  case  be  included  in the
computation of interest or fees, as the case may be.

                                      -35-
<PAGE>

                                    (iii)   Unless Agent receives notice from
Administrative Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to Lenders
that Borrowers  will not make such payment in full as and when  required,  Agent
may assume that  Borrowers  have made such payment in full to Agent on such date
in immediately available funds and Agent may (but shall not be so required),  in
reliance  upon such  assumption,  distribute  to each Lender on such due date an
amount equal to the amount then due such Lender.  If and to the extent Borrowers
have not made such payment in full to Agent, each Lender shall repay to Agent on
demand such amount distributed to such Lender, together with interest thereon at
the Reference Rate for each day from the date such amount is distributed to such
Lender until the date repaid.

                                    (iv)    Immediately upon the receipt by any
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Net Proceeds from the issuance, sale,
assignment,  transfer or other  disposition  of any Stock,  debt  securities  or
assets (to the extent such sale,  assignment,  transfer or other  disposition of
assets is permitted pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) of such Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries, such Borrower shall make a repayment of any outstanding
Advances in an amount equal to the amount of such Net Proceeds.

                                    (v)     Immediately upon the receipt by any
Borrower of any insurance proceeds,  such Borrower shall make a repayment of any
outstanding  Advances  in an  amount  equal  to the  amount  of  such  insurance
proceeds,  except to the extent such insurance  proceeds are required to be paid
to The Chase  Manhattan  Bank under any of its  mortgages  on the Real  Property
Collateral or to other holders of Permitted  Liens to the extent required by the
agreement creating or evidencing such Permitted Lien or the indebtedness secured
thereby.

                           (b)      Apportionment, Application of Payments, and
Reversal  of  Payments.  (i)  Except  as  otherwise  provided  with  respect  to
Defaulting   Lenders,   aggregate  principal  and  interest  payments  shall  be
apportioned ratably among the Lenders (according to the unpaid principal balance
of each Lender's Advances and Term Loans as to which such payments relate),  and
payments of the fees (other than fees  designated  for Agent's sole and separate
account) shall,  as applicable,  be apportioned  ratably among the Lenders.  All
payments  shall be  remitted  to Agent and all such  payments  not  relating  to
principal  of or  interest on  specific  Advances or the Term Loans  (other than
payments  constituting  payment of specific fees) and all proceeds of Collateral
received by Agent pursuant to this  Agreement or any other Loan Document,  shall
be applied:

                  first, to pay any fees or Lender Group Expenses then due to
Agent from Borrowers until paid in full;

                  second, to pay any fees or Lender Group Expenses then due to
Lenders from Borrowers;

                  third, to pay interest due in respect of all Foothill Loans
and Agent Advances until paid in full;

                  fourth, to pay interest due in respect of all Advances (other
than Foothill Loans and Agent Advances) until paid in full;

                                      -36-
<PAGE>

                  fifth,  so long as no Event of  Default  has  occurred  and is
         continuing  or, if an Event of Default has occurred  and is  continuing
         and Agent agrees in its sole discretion, to pay interest due in respect
         of the Term  Loans  until  paid in full (if an  Event  of  Default  has
         occurred and is continuing and Agent has not so agreed, the priority of
         such amounts is deferred to item "ninth");

                  sixth, to pay or prepay principal of Foothill Loans and Agent
Advances until paid in full;

                  seventh, ratably to pay principal of the Advances (other than
Foothill Loans and Agent Advances);

                  eighth,  to be held by Agent as cash  collateral in accordance
with Section 2.2(e) hereof with respect to  unreimbursed  obligations in respect
of Letters of Credit until paid in full;

                  ninth, to pay interest due in respect of the Term Loans until
paid in full;

                  tenth, when due and payable, to pay the principal of the Term
Loans until paid in full; and

                  eleventh, ratably to pay any other Obligations due to Agent or
any Lender by Borrowers.

Agent shall promptly distribute to each Lender,  pursuant to the applicable wire
transfer instructions received from each Lender in writing, such funds as it may
be entitled to receive, subject to a Settlement delay as provided for in Section
2.1(h).

                                    (ii)    In each instance, so long as no
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,  Section 2.5(b)(i) shall not be
deemed to apply to any payment by  Borrowers  specified by Borrowers to Agent to
be for the  payment  of Term Loan  Obligations  when due and  payable  under any
provision of this Agreement or the prepayment of all or part of the principal of
the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.4(a).

                                    (iii)   For purposes of the foregoing,
"paid in full" with respect to interest shall include interest accrued after the
commencement  of any Insolvency  Proceeding  irrespective of whether a claim for
such interest is allowable in such Insolvency Proceeding.

                                    (iv)    In the event of a direct conflict
between the  priority  provisions  of this Section  2.5(b) and other  provisions
contained in any other Loan Document,  it is the intention of the parties hereto
that both such priority  provisions in such documents shall be read together and
construed,  to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other. In
the event of any  actual,  irreconcilable  conflict  that  cannot be resolved as
aforesaid,  the terms and  provisions  of this Section  2.5(b) shall control and
govern.

                  2.6  Overadvances.    If, at any time or for any reason,  the
amount of Obligations owed by Borrowers to Lender Group pursuant to Sections 2.1
and 2.2 is greater than

                                      -37-
<PAGE>

either the Dollar or percentage limitations set forth in Sections 2.1 or 2.2 (an
"Overadvance"), Borrowers immediately shall pay to Agent, in cash, the amount of
such excess,  which amount shall be used by Agent to reduce the  Obligations  in
accordance with the priority set forth in Section 2.5(b).

                  2.7  Interest and Letter of Credit Fees: Rates, Payments, and
Calculations.

                           (a)      Interest Rate.  Except as provided in clause
(b) below, (i) all Obligations (except for the Term Loan Obligations and amounts
undrawn  under  Letters of Credit)  shall bear  interest  at a per annum rate of
0.625  percentage  point  above  the  Reference  Rate,  and (ii)  all Term  Loan
Obligations shall bear interest at a per annum rate of 12.50 percent;  provided,
however, the interest rate on the Term Loans shall automatically  increase to 13
percent  per  annum on the  first  anniversary  of the  Closing  Date and  shall
automatically  increase to 14 percent per annum on the second anniversary of the
Closing Date.

                           (b)      Letter of Credit Fee.  Borrowers shall pay
Agent,  for the ratable  benefit of the Lender  Group a fee (in  addition to the
charges,  commissions,  fees,  and costs set forth in Section  2.2(d))  equal to
1.50% per annum times the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of
Credit.

                           (c)      Default Rate.  Upon the occurrence and
during the continuation of an Event of Default,  (i) all Obligations (except for
the Term Loan  Obligations  and amounts  undrawn  under Letters of Credit) shall
bear  interest at a per annum rate equal to 2.625  percentage  points  above the
Reference  Rate,  (ii) all Term Loan  Obligations  shall bear  interest at a per
annum rate equal to 2.00 percentage points above the interest rate applicable to
the Term Loans at such time,  and (iii) the  Letter of Credit  fee  provided  in
Section  2.7(b)  shall be  increased  to 3.50% per annum times the amount of the
undrawn Letters of Credit that were outstanding during the immediately preceding
month.

                           (d)      Minimum Interest.  In no event shall the
rate of interest  chargeable  under  Section  2.7(a)(i) for any day be less than
7.00% per annum. To the extent that interest  accrued  hereunder at the rate set
forth herein would be less than the foregoing  minimum daily rate,  the interest
rate chargeable  hereunder for such day automatically  shall be deemed increased
to the minimum rate.

                           (e)      Payments.  Interest and Letter of Credit
fees payable hereunder shall be due and payable, in arrears, on the first day of
each month during the term hereof. Each Borrower hereby authorizes Agent to, and
the Agent agrees that it will, without prior notice to any Borrower, charge such
interest  and Letter of Credit  fees,  all Lender  Group  Expenses  (as and when
incurred),  the charges,  commissions,  fees,  and costs provided for in Section
2.2(d) (as and when accrued or incurred),  the fees and charges  provided for in
Section 2.12 (as and when accrued or incurred),  and all  installments  or other
payments  due under the Term  Loans,  or any Loan  Document to  Borrowers'  Loan
Account,  which  amounts  thereafter  shall  accrue  interest  at the rate  then
applicable  to  Advances  hereunder.  Any  interest  not paid  when due shall be

                                      -38-
<PAGE>

compounded and shall  thereafter  accrue interest at the rate then applicable to
Advances hereunder.

                           (f)      Computation.  The Reference Rate as of the
date of this  Agreement is 7.75% per annum.  In the event the Reference  Rate is
changed from time to time hereafter,  the applicable rate of interest  hereunder
automatically and immediately shall be increased or decreased by an amount equal
to such change in the Reference Rate. All interest and fees chargeable under the
Loan  Documents  shall be computed on the basis of a 360 day year for the actual
number of days elapsed.

                           (g)      Intent to Limit Charges to Maximum Lawful
Rate. In no event shall the interest rate or rates payable under this Agreement,
plus any other  amounts  paid in  connection  herewith,  exceed the highest rate
permissible  under any law that a court of competent  jurisdiction  shall,  in a
final determination,  deem applicable.  Borrowers and Lender Group, in executing
and delivering this Agreement, intend legally to agree upon the rate or rates of
interest  and  manner of payment  stated  within it;  provided,  however,  that,
anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if said rate or rates
of interest or manner of payment exceeds the maximum  allowable under applicable
law, then, ipso facto as of the date of this Agreement,  Borrowers are and shall
be liable  only for the payment of such  maximum as allowed by law,  and payment
received  from  Borrowers in excess of such legal  maximum,  whenever  received,
shall be applied  to reduce the  principal  balance  of the  Obligations  to the
extent of such excess.

                  2.8    Collection of Accounts. (a) Each Borrower shall at  all
times maintain  Lockboxes (the "Lockboxes")  and,  immediately after the Closing
Date,  (i) shall  instruct all Account  Debtors  with  respect to the  Accounts,
General  Intangibles,  and  Negotiable  Collateral of such Borrower to remit all
Collections  in respect  thereof to such  Lockboxes  and (ii) shall  deposit all
other  Collections  received by such Borrower from any source  immediately  upon
receipt into the Lockboxes.  Each Borrower,  Agent,  and the Lockbox Banks shall
enter into the Lockbox  Agreements,  which among other things shall  provide for
the opening of a Lockbox  Account for the  deposit of  Collections  at a Lockbox
Bank. Each Borrower  agrees that all  Collections and other amounts  received by
such  Borrower  from any Account  Debtor or any other  source  immediately  upon
receipt  shall be  deposited  into a Lockbox  Account.  No Lockbox  Agreement or
arrangement  contemplated  thereby shall be modified by any Borrower without the
prior written consent of Agent. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in the Lockbox  Agreements,  all amounts  received in each Lockbox Account
shall  be  wired  each  Business  Day  into an  account  (the  "Agent  Account")
maintained by Agent at a depository selected by Agent.

                           (b)      On or before the time set forth in Section
3.3(e),  each Eligible  Foreign  Guarantor  shall (i) establish,  and thereafter
maintain, one or more depository accounts, under the dominion and control of the
Agent and otherwise satisfactory to Agent, in respect of the Collections paid by
each of its Account  Debtors and (ii) instruct all such Account Debtors to remit
all  such  Collections  to  such  depository  accounts.  Each  Eligible  Foreign
Guarantor at all times promptly shall deposit all Collections into such accounts
that are received by such Eligible Foreign Guarantor from any source immediately
upon  receipt  thereof.  Subject to the  immediately  following  sentence,  each
Eligible  Foreign  Guarantor  may use the funds on deposit in its  foreign  bank
accounts  for its working  capital  purposes.  To the extent that the  aggregate
amount of

                                      -39-
<PAGE>

balances in its foreign bank  accounts  exceed an Eligible  Foreign  Guarantor's
Cash  Operating  Requirement,  such excess  shall,  if in a currency  other than
Dollars, be converted into Dollars (at Borrowers' sole expense) and wired into a
Lockbox Account and then wired from the Lockbox Account to the Agent Account. In
addition,  during the  continuance of an Event of Default,  the Agent shall have
the right to  convert  all  non-Dollar  denominated  balances  in each  Eligible
Foreign  Guarantor's  foreign bank  accounts  into Dollars (at  Borrowers'  sole
expense)  and cause all  amounts  in such  accounts  to be wired  into a Lockbox
Account  and then  wired from the  Lockbox  Account  to the Agent  Account.  The
arrangements  contemplated  in this Section  2.8(b) shall not be modified by any
Eligible Foreign Guarantor without the prior written consent of Agent.

                  2.9  Crediting   Payments;   Application   of   Collections.
The receipt of any  Collections by Agent (whether from transfers to Agent by the
Lockbox Banks pursuant to the Lockbox Agreements or otherwise) immediately shall
be applied  provisionally  to the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.5(b),
but shall not be considered a payment on account unless such  Collection item is
a wire transfer of immediately  available federal funds and is made to the Agent
Account or unless and until such  Collection  item is honored when presented for
payment.  From and after the  Closing  Date,  Agent  shall be entitled to charge
Borrowers for two Business Days of  'clearance' or 'float' at the rate set forth
in Section  2.7(a)(i) or Section  2.7(c)(i),  as applicable,  on all Collections
that are received by Agent (regardless of whether forwarded by the Lockbox Banks
to Agent, whether  provisionally applied to reduce the Obligations under Section
2.1, or otherwise).  This  across-the-board  two Business Day clearance or float
charge on all  Collections  is  acknowledged  by the  parties to  constitute  an
integral  aspect of the pricing of Lender  Group's  financing of Borrowers,  and
shall apply irrespective of the  characterization  of whether receipts are owned
by any Borrower or Agent, and whether or not there are any outstanding Advances,
the effect of such  clearance or float charge being the  equivalent  of charging
two Business Days of interest on such  Collections.  Should any Collection  item
not be honored when presented for payment, then Borrowers shall be deemed not to
have made such payment, and interest shall be recalculated accordingly. Anything
to the contrary contained herein  notwithstanding,  any Collection item shall be
deemed  received  by Agent only if it is  received  into the Agent  Account on a
Business Day on or before 11:00 a.m.  California time. If any Collection item is
received  into the Agent  Account  on a  non-Business  Day or after  11:00  a.m.
California  time on a Business  Day, it shall be deemed to have been received by
Agent as of the opening of business on the immediately following Business Day.

                  Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the
economic  benefit of the two Business Day clearance or float charge provided for
in this Section 2.8 is not for the ratable  benefit of the Lenders,  but instead
shall be for the sole and separate account of Agent.

                  2.10  Designated   Account.   Agent, Foothill, and the Lenders
are authorized to make the Advances,  the Term Loans,  and the Letters of Credit
under this Agreement based upon telephonic or other  instructions  received from
anyone  purporting  to be an  Authorized  Person,  or  without  instructions  if
pursuant to Section  2.7(e).  Borrowers  agree to  establish  and  maintain  the
Designated Account with the Designated Account Bank for the purpose of receiving
the proceeds of the Advances and the Term Loans  requested by Borrowers and made
by Agent,  Foothill or the Lenders  hereunder.  Unless otherwise agreed by Agent
and  Borrowers,  any Advance or the Term Loans  requested by Borrowers  and made
hereunder shall be made to the Designated Account.

                                      -40-
<PAGE>

                  2.11    Maintenance    of   Loan   Account;    Statements   of
Obligations.  Agent on behalf of the Lender  Group shall  maintain an account on
its books in the name of Borrowers (the "Loan  Account") on which Borrowers will
be charged with all Advances and the Term Loans made by Agent,  Foothill, or the
Lenders to Borrowers or for Borrowers'  account,  including,  accrued  interest,
Lender Group  Expenses,  and any other  payment  Obligations  of  Borrowers.  In
accordance with Section 2.9, the Loan Account will be credited with all payments
received  by Agent from  Borrowers  or for  Borrowers'  account,  including  all
amounts  received in the Agent Account from any Lockbox Bank. Agent shall render
statements  regarding  the Loan Account to  Administrative  Borrower,  including
principal,  interest,  fees,  and  including an  itemization  of all charges and
expenses  constituting Lender Group Expenses owing, and such statements shall be
conclusively  presumed  to be correct and  accurate  and  constitute  an account
stated  between  Borrowers  and the Lender  Group  unless,  within 30 days after
receipt  thereof  by  Administrative  Borrower,  Administrative  Borrower  shall
deliver  to Agent  written  objection  thereto  describing  the  error or errors
contained in any such statements.

                  2.12  Fees.  Borrowers  shall  pay to Agent for the benefit of
the  Lender  Group  (to be  distributed  among  Lender  Group as set  forth in a
separate writing among them), the following fees:

                           (a)      Closing Fee.  On the Closing Date, a closing
fee of $400,000;

                           (b)      Intentionally Omitted.

                           (c)      Annual Facility Fee. (i) On each anniversary
of the Closing Date,  an annual  facility fee in an amount equal to 0.25% of the
Maximum  Revolving  Amount  and  (ii)  on  each  of the  first  and  the  second
anniversaries of the Closing Date, a facility fee in an amount equal to 0.50% of
the then outstanding principal amount of the Term Loans;

                           (d)      Financial Examination, Documentation, and
Appraisal Fees. For the sole and separate  account of Agent:  Agent's  customary
fee of $750 per day per examiner,  plus Agent's out-of-pocket  expenses for each
financial  analysis and  examination  (i.e.,  audits) of Borrowers  performed by
personnel employed by Agent; Agent's  out-of-pocket  expenses for each appraisal
of the  Collateral  performed  by personnel  employed by Agent;  and, the actual
charges  paid or incurred by Agent if it elects to employ the services of one or
more third Persons to perform such financial  analyses and  examinations  (i.e.,
audits) of  Borrowers  or to appraise  the  Collateral,  provided  that,  in the
absence of a continuing  Event of Default,  the Borrowers shall only be required
to pay such expenses and charges of one Inventory and Equipment appraisal in any
calendar year; and

                           (e)      Agency Fee.  For the sole and separate
account  of  Agent,  on the  first  day of each  month  during  the term of this
Agreement, and thereafter so long as any Obligations are outstanding,  an agency
fee in an amount equal to $5,000.

                                      -41-
<PAGE>

                  2.13     Joint and Several Liability of the Borrowers.

                           (a)      Each Borrower is accepting joint and several
liability  hereunder and under the other Loan Documents in  consideration of the
financial  accommodations  to be provided by Lender Group under this  Agreement,
for the  mutual  benefit,  directly  and  indirectly,  of each  Borrower  and in
consideration  of the  undertakings  of the other  Borrowers to accept joint and
several liability for the Obligations.

                           (b)      Each Borrower, jointly and severally, hereby
irrevocably and  unconditionally  accepts,  not merely as a surety but also as a
co-debtor, joint and several liability with the other Borrowers, with respect to
the  payment  and  performance  of all of the  Obligations  (including,  without
limitation,  any  Obligations  arising  under this Section  2.13),  it being the
intention of the parties hereto that all the Obligations  shall be the joint and
several  obligations of each Borrower without  preferences or distinction  among
them.

                           (c)      If and to the extent that any Borrower shall
fail to make any payment with respect to any of the  Obligations as and when due
or to perform any of the Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof,  then
in each such event the other  Borrowers  will make such payment with respect to,
or perform, such Obligation.

                           (d)      The Obligations of each Borrower under the
provisions of this Section 2.13 constitute the absolute and unconditional,  full
recourse  Obligations of each Borrower enforceable against each such Borrower to
the full extent of its  properties  and assets,  irrespective  of the  validity,
regularity  or  enforceability  of this  Agreement  or any  other  circumstances
whatsoever.

                           (e)      Except as otherwise expressly provided in
this  Agreement,  each Borrower  hereby waives notice of acceptance of its joint
and several liability,  notice of any Advances,  Term Loans or Letters of Credit
issued  under or pursuant to this  Agreement,  notice of the  occurrence  of any
Default,  Event  of  Default,  or of any  demand  for  any  payment  under  this
Agreement,  notice of any  action at any time  taken or  omitted by Agent or the
Lender Group under or in respect of any of the  Obligations,  any requirement of
diligence or to mitigate  damages  and,  generally,  to the extent  permitted by
applicable  law, all  demands,  notices and other  formalities  of every kind in
connection with this Agreement (except as otherwise provided in this Agreement).
Each  Borrower  hereby  assents  to, and waives  notice  of,  any  extension  or
postponement  of the  time  for  the  payment  of any  of the  Obligations,  the
acceptance  of any  payment of any of the  Obligations,  the  acceptance  of any
partial payment thereon, any waiver,  consent or other action or acquiescence by
Lender  Group at any time or times in respect of any default by any  Borrower in
the performance or satisfaction of any term, covenant, condition or provision of
this  Agreement,  any and all other  indulgences  whatsoever  by Lender Group in
respect of any of the  Obligations,  and the taking,  addition,  substitution or
release,  in whole or in part, at any time or times,  of any security for any of
the Obligations or the addition,  substitution or release,  in whole or in part,
of any Borrower. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Borrower
assents to any other  action or delay in acting or failure to act on the part of
Agent or Lender Group with respect to the failure by any Borrower to comply with
any of its respective Obligations,  including,  without limitation,  any failure
strictly or  diligently to assert any right or to

                                      -42-
<PAGE>

pursue  any  remedy or to  comply  fully  with  applicable  laws or  regulations
thereunder,  which  might,  but for the  provisions  of this Section 2.13 afford
grounds for terminating,  discharging or relieving any Borrower,  in whole or in
part,  from any of its  Obligations  under  this  Section  2.13,  it  being  the
intention of each  Borrower  that, so long as any of the  Obligations  hereunder
remain  unsatisfied,  the  Obligations of such Borrowers under this Section 2.13
shall not be  discharged  except by  performance  and then only to the extent of
such performance. The Obligations of each Borrower under this Section 2.13 shall
not be diminished or rendered  unenforceable by any winding up,  reorganization,
arrangement,  liquidation,  reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect to
any  Borrower,  Agent or any  Lender.  The joint and  several  liability  of the
Borrowers hereunder shall continue in full force and effect  notwithstanding any
absorption,  merger,  amalgamation  or any other change  whatsoever in the name,
constitution or place of formation of any Borrower, Agent or any Lender.

                           (f)      The provisions of this Section 2.13 are made
for the benefit of Agent and each  Lender and their  respective  successors  and
assigns, and may be enforced by them from time to time against any or all of the
Borrowers as often as occasion therefor may arise and without requirement on the
part of Agent or any Lender or such successor or assign first to Marshall any of
its or their claims or to exercise any of its or their rights against any of the
other  Borrowers or to exhaust any remedies  available to it or them against any
of the other  Borrowers  or to resort to any other  source or means of obtaining
payment of any of the  Obligations  hereunder or to elect any other remedy.  The
provisions  of this  Section  2.13  shall  remain  in  effect  until  all of the
Obligations  shall have been  indefeasibly  paid in full or otherwise  fully and
finally  satisfied.  If at any time, any payment,  or any part thereof,  made in
respect of any of the Obligations, is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or
returned by Lender Group upon the insolvency,  bankruptcy or  reorganization  of
any Borrower,  or otherwise,  the provisions of this Section 2.13 will forthwith
be reinstated in effect, as though such payment had not been made.

                           (g)      Each Borrower hereby agrees that it will not
enforce  any of its rights of  contribution  or  subrogation  against  the other
Borrowers with respect to any liability incurred by it hereunder or under any of
the other Loan  Documents,  any payments made by it to Lender Group with respect
to any of the Obligations or any collateral  security therefor.  Any claim which
any Borrower may have against any other Borrower with respect to any payments to
Lender Group  hereunder or under any other Loan  Documents are hereby  expressly
made  subordinate and junior in right of payment,  without  limitation as to any
increases  in the  Obligations  arising  hereunder or  thereunder,  to the prior
indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Obligations and, in the event of any
insolvency,  bankruptcy,  receivership,  liquidation,  reorganization  or  other
similar proceeding under the laws of any jurisdiction  relating to any Borrower,
its debts or its assets, whether voluntary or involuntary,  all such Obligations
shall  be paid  in  full in cash  before  any  payment  or  distribution  of any
character,  whether in cash, securities or other property,  shall be made to any
other Borrower therefor.

                           (h)      Each Borrower hereby agrees that, after the
occurrence and during the  continuance  of any Default or Event of Default,  the
payment  of any  amounts  due  with  respect  to the  indebtedness  owing by any
Borrower to any other Borrower is hereby  subordinated to the prior indefeasible
payment in full in cash of the  Obligations.  Each  Borrower  hereby agrees that
after the  occurrence  and during  the  continuance  of any  Default or Event of
Default,  such

                                      -43-
<PAGE>

Borrower  will  not  demand,  sue  for  or  otherwise  attempt  to  collect  any
indebtedness  of any other Borrower owing to such Borrower until the Obligations
shall  have  been  paid in full  in  cash.  If,  notwithstanding  the  foregoing
sentence, such Borrower shall collect, enforce or receive any amounts in respect
of such indebtedness,  such amounts shall be collected, enforced and received by
such Borrower as trustee for Lender Group.

         3.       CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT

                  3.1 Conditions  Precedent to the Initial Advance,  Term Loans,
and Letter of Credit. The obligation of Lender Group to make the initial Advance
and the Term Loans, or to issue the initial Letter of Credit,  is subject to the
fulfillment,  to the  satisfaction  of  Agent  and its  counsel,  of each of the
following conditions on or before the Closing Date:

                           (a)      the Closing Date shall occur on or before
May 17, 1999;

                           (b)      Agent shall have received all financing
statements  and  fixture  filings  required  by  Agent,  duly  executed  by each
Borrower,  and Agent shall have received  searches  reflecting the filing of its
financing statements and fixture filings;

                           (c)      Agent shall have received each of the
following documents, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, duly executed,
and each such document shall be in full force and effect:

                                    a.      the Lockbox Agreements;

                                    b.      the Disbursement Letter;

                                    c.      the Pay-Off Letter, together with
                                            UCC termination statements and
                                            other documentation evidencing the
                                            termination by Existing Lender of
                                            its Liens in and to the properties
                                            and assets of each Borrower;

                                    d.      a Pledge Agreement, duly executed by
                                            the Parent, General DataComm,
                                            General DataComm International
                                            Corp., Vital and GDC Realty;

                                    e.      the Patent Security Agreement;

                                    f.      the Trademark Security Agreement;

                                    g.      a Guaranty, duly executed by each
                                            Guarantor;

                                    h.      a Guaranty Security Agreement, duly
                                            executed by each Guarantor;

                                    i.      the Guarantee and Debenture;

                                    j.      the Share Charge;

                                      -44-
<PAGE>


                                    k.      the Hypothec; and

                                    l.      the Registration Rights Agreement;

                           (d)      Agent shall have received a certificate from
the Secretary of each Borrower  attesting to the  resolutions of such Borrower's
Board of Directors authorizing its execution,  delivery, and performance of this
Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents  to which such  Borrower is a party and
authorizing specific officers of such Borrower to execute the same;

                           (e)      Agent shall have received copies of each
Borrower's Governing  Documents,  as amended,  modified,  or supplemented to the
Closing Date, certified by the Secretary of such Borrower;

                           (f)      Agent shall have received a certificate of
status with respect to each Borrower,  dated within 10 days of the Closing Date,
such certificate to be issued by the appropriate  officer of the jurisdiction of
organization  of such  Borrower,  which  certificate  shall  indicate  that such
Borrower is in good standing in such jurisdiction;

                           (g)      Agent shall have received certificates of
status with respect to each  Borrower,  each dated within 15 days of the Closing
Date,  such  certificates  to be  issued  by  the  appropriate  officer  of  the
jurisdictions  in which its  failure  to be duly  qualified  or  licensed  would
constitute a Material  Adverse Change,  which  certificates  shall indicate that
such Borrower is in good standing in such jurisdictions;

                           (h)      Agent shall have received a certificate of
insurance,  together with the endorsements  thereto,  as are required by Section
6.10,  the form and  substance of which shall be  satisfactory  to Agent and its
counsel;

                           (i)      Agent shall have received duly executed
certificates  of title with  respect to that portion of the  Collateral  that is
subject to certificates of title;

                           (j)      Agent shall have received such Collateral
Access Agreements from lessors,  warehousemen,  bailees, and other third persons
as Agent may require;

                           (k)      Agent shall have received the opinion of
New York counsel,  Connecticut counsel, Canadian counsel and English counsel for
the  Loan  Parties  in form  and  substance  satisfactory  to  Agent in its sole
discretion;

                           (l)      Agent shall have received appraisals of the
Equipment, satisfactory to Agent;

                           (m)      Intentionally Omitted;

                           (n)      Agent shall have received satisfactory
evidence  that all tax returns  required to be filed by each  Borrower have been
timely filed and all taxes upon any Borrower or its properties,  assets, income,
and franchises  (including real property taxes and payroll taxes) have been paid
prior to  delinquency,  except  such taxes that are the  subject of a  Permitted
Protest; and

                                      -45-
<PAGE>

                           (o)      Agent's examiners shall have completed a
field survey of the Borrowers and an  inspection  of each  warehouse  where each
Borrower's Inventory is located, and the Agent shall have received appraisals of
the  Collateral,  including,  without  limitation,  each  Borrower's  Inventory,
Equipment,  asynchronous  transfer mode  technology and Vital's  business,  from
appraisers  acceptable to the Agent,  each satisfactory in form and substance to
Agent;

                           (p)      Borrowers shall have a minimum of
$10,000,000 of unrestricted  cash balances and Availability  after the repayment
of all  amounts  owing  to the  Existing  Lender,  the  payment  of all fees and
expenses  incurred in  connection  with the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement and based upon a Borrowing Base calculated  using  information as of a
date no earlier than April 30, 1999,  rolled forward to a date acceptable to the
Agent, and after reserving for amounts necessary to maintain  Borrowers' current
liabilities reasonably within terms; and

                           (q)      all other documents and legal matters in
connection with the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement shall have been
delivered, executed, or recorded and shall be in form and substance satisfactory
to Agent and its counsel and the fees and  disbursements of Schulte Roth & Zabel
LLP and all other accrued and unpaid Lender Group  Expenses  (including the fees
and  disbursements  of counsel to any member of the Lender  Group on the Closing
Date) shall be paid if invoiced as of the Closing Date.

Execution  and  delivery  to the  Agent by a  Lender  of a  counterpart  of this
Agreement  shall be deemed  confirmation  by such Lender that (i) all conditions
precedent in this Section 3.1 have been  fulfilled to the  satisfaction  of such
Lender and (ii) the  decision of such Lender to execute and deliver to the Agent
an executed  counterpart of this Agreement was made by such Lender independently
and without  reliance on the Agent or any other Lender as to the satisfaction of
any condition precedent set forth in this Section 3.1.

                  3.2  Conditions  Precedent  to all  Advances,  all  Letters of
Credit, and the Term Loans.  The following shall be conditions  precedent to
all Advances, all Letters of Credit and the Term Loans hereunder:

                           (a)      the representations and warranties
contained  in this  Agreement  and the other  Loan  Documents  shall be true and
correct in all respects on and as of the date of such  extension  of credit,  as
though  made  on  and  as  of  such  date   (except  to  the  extent  that  such
representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date);

                           (b)      no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be  continuing on the date of such  extension of credit,  nor shall
either result from the making thereof;

                           (c)      no injunction, writ, restraining order, or
other order of any nature prohibiting,  directly or indirectly, the extending of
such  credit  shall have been  issued  and  remain in force by any  Governmental
Authority  against  any  Borrower,  Agent,  the  Lender  Group,  or any of their
Affiliates;

                           (d)      the amount of the Revolving Facility Usage,
after giving effect to the requested Advance or Letter of Credit, shall not
exceed the Availability; and

                                      -46-
<PAGE>

                           (e)      there shall not have occurred any Material
Adverse Change.

                           The foregoing conditions precedent are not conditions
to each Lender (i)  participating in or reimbursing  Agent for such Lenders' Pro
Rata Share of any drawings under Letters of Credit as provided  herein,  or (ii)
participating in or reimbursing Foothill or the Agent for such Lenders' Pro Rata
Share of any Foothill Loan or Agent Advance as provided herein.

                  3.3  Condition  Subsequent.   As  a condition  subsequent to
the initial closing hereunder,  Borrowers shall perform or cause to be performed
the  following  (the failure by Borrowers to so perform or cause to be performed
constituting an Event of Default):

                           (a)      within 30 days of the Closing Date, deliver
to Agent the certified copies of the  policies of  insurance,  together with the
endorsements thereto, as are required by Section 6.10, the form and substance of
which shall be satisfactory to Agent and its counsel;

                           (b)      within 45 days of the Closing Date, deliver
to Agent  duly  executed  originals  of the  Mortgages,  in form  and  substance
satisfactory to Agent and its counsel;

                           (c)      within 45 days of the Closing Date, deliver
to Agent copies of all previous completed phase-I environmental reports that are
available and real estate surveys with respect to the Real Property  Collateral;
the  environmental  consultants  and  surveyors  retained  for such  reports  or
surveys,  the scope of the reports or surveys,  and the results thereof shall be
acceptable to Agent in its reasonable discretion;

                           (d)      within 45 days of the Closing Date, deliver
to the Agent mortgagee title insurance  policies (or marked commitments to issue
the same) for the Real Property  Collateral  issued by a title insurance company
satisfactory to Agent (each a "Mortgage Policy" and, collectively, the "Mortgage
Policies") in amounts satisfactory to Agent assuring Agent that the Mortgages on
such Real Property Collateral are valid and enforceable second priority mortgage
Liens on such  Real  Property  Collateral  free and  clear  of all  defects  and
encumbrances  except Permitted Liens, and the Mortgage  Policies shall otherwise
be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent; and

                           (e)      within 30 days after the Closing Date,
establish with banks acceptable to the Agent,  one or more depository  accounts,
under the  dominion  and control of the Agent and  otherwise  acceptable  to the
Agent, with respect to the Collections of each Eligible Foreign Guarantor.

                  3.4 Term.    This Agreement  shall become  effective upon the
execution  and  delivery  hereof by each  Borrower,  each of the Lenders and the
Agent, and shall continue in full force and effect for a term ending on the date
(the  "Maturity  Date")  that is three (3) years from the Closing  Date,  unless
sooner terminated  pursuant to the terms hereof. The foregoing  notwithstanding,
Agent (on behalf of the Lender  Group) shall have the right to terminate  Lender
Group's obligations under this Agreement immediately and without notice upon the
occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default.

                                  -47-
<PAGE>

                  3.5   Effect of  Termination.  On the date of termination of
this Agreement, all Obligations (including contingent reimbursement  obligations
of Borrowers  with  respect to any  outstanding  Letters of Credit)  immediately
shall become due and payable  without  notice or demand.  No termination of this
Agreement,  however,  shall  relieve or  discharge  any  Borrower of  Borrower's
duties,  Obligations,  or covenants hereunder or under the other Loan Documents,
and Lender Group's continuing  security interests in the Collateral shall remain
in effect  until all  Obligations  have been fully and  finally  discharged  and
Lender Group's obligation to provide additional credit hereunder is terminated.

                  3.6   Early  Termination  by  Borrower.  Borrowers  have the
option,  at any time upon 90 days prior  written  notice to Agent,  to terminate
this Agreement by paying to Agent (for the ratable benefit of Lender Group),  in
cash, the  Obligations  (including an amount equal to 105% of the undrawn amount
of the  Letters  of  Credit),  in full,  together  with a  premium  (the  "Early
Termination  Premium") equal to (a) 2.0% of the Maximum Revolving Amount if such
termination  occurs prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date, (b) 1.0%
of the Maximum Revolving Amount if such termination occurs on or after the first
anniversary  but prior to the second  anniversary  of the Closing Date,  and (c)
0.5% of the Maximum Revolving Amount if such termination occurs after the second
anniversary of the Closing Date.

         4.       CREATION OF SECURITY INTEREST.

                  4.1 Grant of Security  Interest.  (a) Each  Borrower  hereby
grants to Agent for the  benefit of the Lender  Group,  continuing  Liens on all
right, title, and interest of such Borrower in and to all its currently existing
and hereafter acquired or arising Collateral in order to secure prompt repayment
of any and all  Obligations  (other  than the Term Loans) and in order to secure
prompt  performance  by  Borrowers  of each of their  covenants  and duties with
respect to the Obligations  (other than the Term Loans) under the Loan Documents
(the "Agent's  Liens").  Agent's Liens in and to the Collateral  shall attach to
all  Collateral  without  further act on the part of Agent,  Lender Group or any
Borrower. Anything contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the
contrary  notwithstanding,  except  for the sale of the  properties  and  assets
permitted  under  Section 7.4  hereof,  no Borrower  has  authority,  express or
implied, to dispose of any item or portion of the Collateral. Subject to Section
2.5(b),  the secured claims of the Lender Group with respect to the  Obligations
(other  than  the  Term  Loans),  secured  by the  Collateral  shall be of equal
priority,  and ratable according to the respective  Obligations  (other than the
Term Loans) due each member of the Lender Group.

                           (b)      Each Borrower hereby grants to Agent for the
benefit of the Lender Group,  continuing Liens on all right,  title and interest
of such Borrower in and to all its currently  existing and hereafter acquired or
arising  Collateral in order to secure prompt repayment of the Term Loans and in
order to secure prompt  performance by Borrowers of each of their  covenants and
duties with  respect to the Term Loans under the Loan  Documents  (the  "Agent's
Term Loan Liens"). Agent's Term Loan Liens in and to the Collateral shall attach
to all Collateral without further act on the part of Agent,  Lender Group or any
Borrower. Anything contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the
contrary  notwithstanding,  except  for the sale of the  properties  and  assets
permitted  under  Section 7.4  hereof,  no Borrower  has  authority,  express or
implied, to dispose of any item or portion of the Collateral. Subject to Section
2.5(b),  the

                                      -48-
<PAGE>

secured  claims of the Lender Group with  respect to the Term Loans,  secured by
the  Collateral  shall  be of  equal  priority,  and  ratable  according  to the
respective the Term Loans due each member of the Lender Group.

                           (c)      The Agent's Liens shall have priority over
the Agent's Term Loan Liens.

                  4.2  Negotiable Collateral.  In the event that any Collateral,
including proceeds, is evidenced by or consists of Negotiable  Collateral,  each
Borrower  promptly,  shall  endorse  and  deliver  physical  possession  of such
Negotiable Collateral to Agent.

                  4.3   Collection  of  Accounts,   General   Intangibles,   and
Negotiable  Collateral.  At  any  time  after  the  occurrence  and  during  the
continuance  of an  Event  of  Default,  Agent or its  designee  may (a)  notify
customers  or  Account  Debtors  of each  Borrower  that the  Accounts,  General
Intangibles,  or Negotiable Collateral have been assigned to Agent or that Agent
for the benefit of the Lender  Group has a security  interest  therein,  and (b)
collect the Accounts,  General Intangibles,  and Negotiable  Collateral directly
and charge the collection costs and expenses to the Loan Account.  Each Borrower
agrees  that it will hold in trust for Lender  Group,  as Agent's  trustee,  any
Collections  that it receives and immediately  will deliver said  Collections to
Agent in their original form as received by such Borrower.

                  4.4  Delivery of  Additional  Documentation  Required.  At any
time upon the request of Agent, Borrowers shall execute and deliver to Agent all
financing statements, collateral assignments, continuation financing statements,
fixture filings, security agreements, pledges, assignments, mortgages, leasehold
mortgages,   deeds  of  trust,   leasehold  deeds  of  trust,   endorsements  of
certificates of title,  applications for title,  affidavits,  reports,  notices,
schedules of accounts,  letters of authority, and all other documents that Agent
reasonably may request,  in form  satisfactory to Agent, to perfect and continue
perfected the Agent's  Liens and the Agent's Term Loan Liens on the  Collateral,
and in order to fully consummate all of the transactions contemplated hereby and
under the other Loan Documents.

                  4.5  Power of  Attorney.  Each  Borrower hereby  irrevocably
makes, constitutes, and appoints Agent (and any of Agent's officers,  employees,
or agents  designated by Agent) as  Borrower's  true and lawful  attorney,  with
power to (a) if such Borrower refuses to, or fails timely to execute and deliver
any of the documents described in Section 4.4, sign the name of such Borrower on
any of the documents  described in Section 4.4, (b) at any time that an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, sign such Borrower's name on any invoice
or bill of lading  relating to any  Account,  drafts  against  Account  Debtors,
schedules and assignments of Accounts, verifications of Accounts, and notices to
Account  Debtors,  (c) send requests for  verification of Accounts,  (d) endorse
such  Borrower's  name on any Collection  item that may come into Lender Group's
possession,  (e) at any time  that an  Event  of  Default  has  occurred  and is
continuing,  notify  the post  office  authorities  to change  the  address  for
delivery of such Borrower's  mail to an address  designated by Agent, to receive
and open all mail addressed to such Borrower, and to retain all mail relating to
the Collateral and forward all other mail to such Borrower, (f) at any time that
an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, make, settle, and adjust all
claims under Borrower's  policies of insurance and make all  determinations  and
decisions  with respect to

                                      -49-
<PAGE>

such  policies  of  insurance,  and (g) at any time that an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, settle and adjust disputes and claims respecting the
Accounts  directly with Account  Debtors,  for amounts and upon terms that Agent
determines  to be  reasonable,  and Agent may cause to be executed and delivered
any  documents  and  releases  that  Agent  determines  to  be  necessary.   The
appointment  of Agent as each  Borrower's  attorney,  and each and  every one of
Agent's rights and powers, being coupled with an interest,  is irrevocable until
all of the  Obligations  have been fully and finally  repaid and  performed  and
Lender Group's obligation to extend credit hereunder is terminated.

                  4.6  Right to Inspect.    Agent (through any of its officers,
employees,  or  agents)  shall have the right,  from time to time  hereafter  to
inspect Books and to check, test, and appraise the Collateral in order to verify
each Borrower's financial condition or the amount, quality, value, condition of,
or any other matter relating to, the Collateral.

                  4.7  Control  Agreements.  Each Borrower agrees that it will
not transfer assets out of any Securities Accounts other than as permitted under
Section 7.23 and, if to another securities  intermediary,  unless such Borrower,
Agent, and the substitute  securities  intermediary  have entered into a Control
Agreement.  No arrangement  contemplated  hereby or by any Control  Agreement in
respect  of any  Securities  Accounts  or  other  investment  property  shall be
modified by any Borrower  without the prior written  consent of Agent.  Upon the
occurrence and during the  continuance  of a Default or Event of Default,  Agent
may notify any securities  intermediary  to liquidate or transfer the applicable
Securities Account or any related investment property maintained or held thereby
and remit the proceeds thereof to the Agent Account.

         5.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

                  In order to induce Lender Group to enter into this  Agreement,
each Borrower makes the following  representations and warranties which shall be
true, correct,  and complete in all respects as of the date hereof, and shall be
true,  correct,  and complete in all respects as of the Closing Date, and at and
as of the date of the making of each  Advance,  Letter of  Credit,  or Term Loan
made thereafter, as though made on and as of the date of such Advance, Letter of
Credit,  or Term  Loan,  (except  to the extent  that such  representations  and
warranties  relate  solely  to an  earlier  date) and such  representations  and
warranties shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement:

                  5.1     No Encumbrances.  Each Borrower has good and
indefeasible  title to the  Collateral,  free and  clear  of  Liens  except  for
Permitted Liens.

                  5.2     Eligible  Accounts.  The  Eligible Accounts are bona
fide existing  obligations  created by the sale and delivery of Inventory or the
rendition  of  services  to  Account  Debtors  in the  ordinary  course  of each
Borrower's  business,  unconditionally  owed to such Borrower without  defenses,
disputes,   offsets,   counterclaims,   or  rights  of  return  or  cancellation
("Defenses"),  provided that (i) if Defenses  exist with respect to any Account,
such  Account  will not be an  Eligible  Account and (ii) the  existence  of any
Defense with respect to an Account of which the Borrowers have no knowledge will
not by  itself  give  rise to an Event of  Default  under  Section  8.12 of this
Agreement. The property giving rise to such Eligible Accounts has been

                                      -50-
<PAGE>

delivered to the Account Debtor,  or to the Account Debtor's agent for immediate
shipment to and unconditional  acceptance by the Account Debtor. No Borrower has
received  notice of actual  or  imminent  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  or  material
impairment  of the  financial  condition  of any Account  Debtor  regarding  any
Eligible Account.

                  5.3      Eligible Inventory.  All Eligible Inventory is of
good and merchantable quality, free from defects known to any Borrower.

                  5.4      Equipment.  All of the Equipment is used or held for
use in Borrowers' business and is fit for such purposes.

                  5.5      Location  of  Inventory  and  Equipment.
The  Inventory  and  Equipment  are not stored with a bailee,  warehouseman,  or
similar party  (without  Agent's prior written  consent) and are located only at
the  locations  identified  on Schedule  6.12 or otherwise  permitted by Section
6.12.

                  5.6      Inventory Records5.6   Inventory Records.  Each
Borrower keeps correct and accurate  records  itemizing and describing the kind,
type, quality, and quantity of the Inventory, and such Borrower's cost therefor.

                  5.7      Location of Chief Executive  Office;  FEIN.   The
chief executive  office of each Borrower is located at the address  indicated in
the preamble to this  Agreement and each  Borrower's  FEIN is listed in Schedule
5.7 hereto.

                  5.8      Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries.

                           (a)      Each Borrower is duly organized and existing
and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and
qualified  and  licensed to do business  in, and in good  standing in, any state
where the failure to be so licensed or qualified reasonably could be expected to
have a Material Adverse Change.

                           (b)      Set forth on Schedule 5.8, is a complete and
accurate  description of the authorized  capital stock of Parent, by class, and,
as of the Closing Date, a description of the number of shares of each such class
that are issued and  outstanding  and the number of such shares that are held in
Parent's treasury.  All such outstanding shares have been validly issued and, as
of the Closing Date,  are fully paid,  nonassessable  shares free of contractual
preemptive  rights.  The  issuance  and sale of all  such  shares  have  been in
compliance with all applicable  federal and state securities laws. Other than as
described on Schedule 5.8, there are no  subscriptions,  options,  warrants,  or
calls relating to any shares of Parent's  capital stock,  including any right of
conversion  or exchange  under any  outstanding  security  or other  instrument.
Parent is not subject to any obligation  (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase
or otherwise  acquire or retire any shares of its capital  stock or any security
convertible  into  or  exchangeable  for any of its  capital  stock,  except  as
otherwise  set  forth  on  Schedule  5.8  with  respect  to the  9%  Convertible
Subordinated Debentures and the Parent's 9% Cumulative Convertible  Exchangeable
Preferred Stock.

                           (c)      Set forth on Schedule 5.8, is a complete and
accurate list of each Borrower's direct and indirect Subsidiaries,  showing: (i)
the jurisdiction of their incorporation;

                                      -51-
<PAGE>


and (ii) the number and the  percentage of the  outstanding  shares of each such
class owned  directly or indirectly  by such  Borrower.  All of the  outstanding
capital stock of each such  Subsidiary has been validly issued and is fully paid
and non-assessable.

                           (d)      Except as set forth on Schedule 5.8, no
capital  stock (or any  securities,  instruments,  warrants,  options,  purchase
rights,  conversion  or exchange  rights,  calls,  commitments  or claims of any
character  convertible  into or exercisable  for capital stock) of any direct or
indirect  Subsidiary of any Borrower is subject to the issuance of any security,
instrument, warrant, option, purchase right, conversion or exchange right, call,
commitment or claim of any right, title, or interest therein or thereto.

                           (e)      The Parent has reserved, out of its
authorized but unissued  Common Stock,  a sufficient  number of shares of Common
Stock to  permit  the  conversion  of up to $3  million  of the Term B Loan into
shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 15 hereof.

                           (f)      Each of DataComm Rental,  DataComm Venezuela
and DataComm Netherlands is an inactive company, has no operations,  conducts no
business and owns no assets.

                  5.9      Due Authorization; No Conflict.

                           (a)      The execution, delivery, and performance by
each Borrower of this  Agreement  and the Loan  Documents to which it is a party
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action.

                           (b)      The execution, delivery, and performance by
each Borrower of this Agreement and the Loan Documents to which it is a party do
not and will not (i) violate any  provision of federal,  state,  or local law or
regulation  (including  Regulations  T, U, and X of the Federal  Reserve  Board)
applicable to any  Borrower,  the  Governing  Documents of any Borrower,  or any
order,  judgment, or decree of any court or other Governmental Authority binding
on any Borrower,  (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute (with
due notice or lapse of time or both) a default  under any  material  contractual
obligation  or material  lease of any  Borrower,  (iii) result in or require the
creation or imposition of any Lien of any nature  whatsoever upon any properties
or assets of any  Borrower,  other than  Permitted  Liens,  or (iv)  require any
approval of  stockholders  or any  approval  or consent of any Person  under any
material contractual obligation of any Borrower.

                           (c)      Except as set forth on Schedule 5.9(c) and
other  than  the  filing  of  appropriate  financing   statements,   filings  or
registrations  in  the  United  States  Patent  and  Trademark  Office  and  the
equivalent  foreign filings and  registrations,  fixture filings,  mortgages and
compliance  with the Assignment of Claims Act or any state or foreign  statutory
equivalent,  the execution,  delivery,  and performance by each Borrower of this
Agreement  and the Loan  Documents to which such  Borrower is a party do not and
will not require any registration with,  consent,  or approval of, or notice to,
or other action with or by, any federal,  state,  foreign, or other Governmental
Authority or other Person.

                                      -52-
<PAGE>

                           (d)      This Agreement and the Loan Documents to
which a Borrower is a party,  and all other  documents  contemplated  hereby and
thereby, when executed and delivered by a Borrower will be the legally valid and
binding  obligations  of such  Borrower,  enforceable  against such  Borrower in
accordance with their respective terms,  except as enforcement may be limited by
equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium,
or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors' rights generally.

                           (e)      Upon the filing of appropriate financing
statements,  filings or  registrations in the United States Patent and Trademark
Office and the equivalent foreign filings and registrations, fixture filings and
mortgages,  and upon delivery to the Agent of the Pledged Collateral (as defined
in the  respective  Pledge  Agreements),  the Liens  granted by each Borrower to
Agent for the benefit of the Lender  Group in and to its  properties  and assets
pursuant to this  Agreement and the other Loan  Documents  are validly  created,
perfected, and first priority Liens, subject only to Permitted Liens and, in the
case of the Real  Property  Collateral,  the prior Liens of The Chase  Manhattan
Bank.

                  5.10  Litigation.  There  are  no  actions  or proceedings
pending by or against any Borrower before any court or administrative agency and
no Borrower  has  knowledge or belief of any  pending,  threatened,  or imminent
litigation,  governmental  investigations,  or claims,  complaints,  actions, or
prosecutions involving any Borrower or any Guarantor of the Obligations,  except
for: (a) ongoing  collection  matters in which a Borrower is the plaintiff;  (b)
matters  disclosed on Schedule 5.10;  (c) other matters  existing on the Closing
Date that, if decided adversely to such Borrower or such Guarantor, would in the
aggregate  result in  liability to such  Borrower or such  Guarantor of not more
than $100,000 in the  aggregate;  and (d) matters  arising after the date hereof
that are not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Change.

                  5.11  Financial  Statements;  No Material  Adverse  Change.
All  financial  statements  relating  to any  Borrower or any  Guarantor  of the
Obligations  that have been  delivered  by  Borrowers  to Lender Group have been
prepared in  accordance  with GAAP (except,  in the case of unaudited  financial
statements,  for the lack of  footnotes  and being  subject  to  year-end  audit
adjustments)  and  fairly  present  such  Borrower's  (or such  Guarantor's,  as
applicable)  financial  condition  as of the date  thereof  and such  Borrower's
results of operations  for the period then ended.  There has not been a Material
Adverse Change with respect to any Borrower (or such  Guarantor,  as applicable)
since the date of the latest financial  statements  submitted to Lender Group on
or before the Closing Date.

                  5.12   Solvency; No Fraudulent Transfer.  The  Borrowers taken
as a whole are Solvent and the Loan  Parties  taken as a whole are  Solvent.  No
transfer of property is being made by any  Borrower and no  obligation  is being
incurred by any Borrower in connection  with the  transactions  contemplated  by
this Agreement or the other Loan Documents with the intent to hinder,  delay, or
defraud either present or future creditors of any Borrower.

                  5.13    Employee Benefits.   No Borrower, any of its
Subsidiaries,  or any of their ERISA Affiliates  maintains or contributes to any
Benefit Plan,  other than those listed on Schedule 5.13. Each Borrower,  each of
its  Subsidiaries  and each ERISA  Affiliate have satisfied the minimum  funding
standards of ERISA and the IRC with respect to each Benefit Plan to which

                                      -53-
<PAGE>

it is  obligated  to  contribute.  No ERISA Event has occurred nor has any other
event  occurred  that may  result in an ERISA  Event  that  reasonably  could be
expected  to  result  in  a  Material   Adverse  Change.   No  Borrower  or  its
Subsidiaries,  any ERISA  Affiliate,  or any fiduciary of any Plan is subject to
any direct or indirect  liability  with respect to any Plan under any applicable
law, treaty, rule, regulation,  or agreement. No Borrower or its Subsidiaries or
any ERISA  Affiliate  is required to provide  security to any Benefit Plan under
Section 401(a)(29) of the IRC.

                  5.14  Environmental   Condition.  Except as set forth in
Schedule 5.14, none of any Borrower's properties or assets has ever been used by
a  Borrower  or, to the best of  Borrower's  knowledge,  by  previous  owners or
operators,  in the disposal of, or to produce, store, handle, treat, release, or
transport, any Hazardous Materials in violation of applicable environmental laws
or, if in violation of applicable  environmental  laws, all such violations have
been  cured,  none of any  Borrower's  properties  or assets has, to the best of
Borrower's  knowledge,  been  designated or identified in any manner pursuant to
any environmental  protection statute as a Hazardous Materials disposal site, or
a candidate for closure pursuant to any  environmental  protection  statute,  no
Lien  arising  under any  environmental  protection  statute has attached to any
revenues or to any real or personal  property owned or operated by any Borrower,
and no Borrower has received a summons,  citation, notice, or directive from the
Environmental  Protection  Agency or any  other  federal  or state  governmental
agency  concerning  any action or  omission  by any  Borrower  resulting  in the
releasing or disposing of Hazardous Materials into the environment.

                  5.15   Brokerage   Fees. No  brokerage commission  or finders
fees has or shall be  incurred or payable in  connection  with or as a result of
Borrowers'  obtaining financing from the Lender Group under this Agreement,  and
no Borrower has utilized the services of any broker or finder in connection with
Borrowers' obtaining financing from the Lender Group under this Agreement.

                  5.16  Permits and other Intellectual Property.  (a) Set forth
on Schedule 5.16 is a complete and accurate list of all Permits, patents, patent
applications,  trademarks,  trademark applications,  service marks, service mark
applications, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets and know-how (collectively,
the "Intellectual  Property"),  owned by each Loan Party, showing as of the date
hereof the  jurisdiction in which  registered,  the  registration or application
number.  Each Borrower owns or possesses  adequate licenses or other rights that
are  necessary  for the  operation  of its  business as  currently  conducted or
proposed to be  conducted.  No claim is pending or threatened to the effect that
any Borrower infringes upon, or conflicts with, the asserted rights of any other
Person  under any  Intellectual  Property,  and, to the best of each  Borrower's
knowledge  without  independent  investigation  other than those  investigations
customarily  undertaken by owners of similar  businesses,  there is no basis for
any such claim  (whether  pending or threatened)  which is reasonably  likely to
result in a Material  Adverse  Change.  No claim is pending or threatened to the
effect that any such Intellectual Property owned or licensed by any Borrower, or
in which any Borrower otherwise has the right to use is invalid or unenforceable
by  any  Borrower,  and,  to the  best  of  each  Borrower's  knowledge  without
independent investigation other than those investigations customarily undertaken
by owners of similar businesses,  there is not basis for any such claim (whether
or not pending or threatened).

                                      -54-

<PAGE>

                           (b)      After giving effect to the transfers
described in Section 6.19, all Intellectual  Property (if any) registered to ARC
does not  constitute a component or a  constituent  part of any  Borrower's  ATM
Technology,  and the use (in whole or in part) of any  Borrower's ATM Technology
does  not  infringe  or  otherwise   violate  ARC's  rights   relating  to  such
Intellectual  Property.  The  Intellectual  Property  sold by one or more of the
Borrowers to PC-Tel, Inc. and PC-Tel Global  Technologies,  Ltd.  (collectively,
"PC-Tel")  on or about  December  22,  1998  did not  constitute  components  or
constituent  parts of any such Borrower's ATM Technology,  and the use (in whole
or in part) of any  Borrower's  ATM  Technology  does not  infringe or otherwise
violate  PC-Tel's  rights relating to such  Intellectual  Property that has been
sold.  Within 30 days of the Closing Date, the Borrowers will deliver to Agent a
revised Schedule 5.16 to indicate the Intellectual Property that constitutes all
the  components or  constituent  parts of the ATM  Technology.  No  Intellectual
Property  owned by any Loan Party has been sold or  otherwise  disposed of since
December 22, 1998.

                  5.17  Material Contracts;  Restrictive  Agreements.    Except
for such changes as have been provided to Administrative Agent in writing,  each
other Material Contract to which any Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower is
a party is set forth in Part I of Schedule 5.17.  Borrower has provided to Agent
or its counsel each definitive  written agreement relating to each such Material
Contract.  Except as set forth in Part II of  Schedule  5.17,  no  Borrower  nor
Subsidiary  of a Borrower is a party to or bound by any  agreement or instrument
or subject to any corporate or other restriction,  the performance or observance
of which has caused or, as far as such  Borrower or  Subsidiary  can  reasonably
foresee, is likely to cause a Material Adverse Change.

                  5.18  Government   Contracts.  No Borrower nor any Subsidiary
of a Borrower is in receipt of any notice from any  Governmental  Authority that
such  Borrower  or such  Subsidiary  of a Borrower  is  disqualified,  barred or
suspended from bidding on or performing any contract or proposed contract.

                  5.19  Year  2000  Compliance.  Any reprogramming  required to
address  the  Year  2000  problem  (i.e.,  the  inability  of  certain  computer
applications  to  recognize   correctly  and  perform  properly   date-sensitive
functions  involving any date after  December 31, 1999) and to permit the proper
functioning,  in and  following  the year  2000,  of (a) each  Borrower  and its
Subsidiaries'  computer systems and (b) equipment containing embedded microchips
(including systems and equipment supplied by others or with which the Companies'
or their  Subsidiaries'  systems  interface) and the testing of all such systems
and equipment, as so reprogrammed, will, or in the case of systems and equipment
supplied  by  others  or with  which a  Borrower  or its  Subsidiaries'  systems
interface,  to the best of each Borrower's  knowledge,  will be completed in all
material  respects  by  October  31,  1999.  The  cost to  Borrowers  and  their
respective  Subsidiaries of such reprogramming and testing and of the reasonably
foreseeable  consequences  of the Year  2000  problem  to any  Borrower  and any
Subsidiary (including, without limitation,  reprogramming errors and the failure
of  others'  systems  and  equipment)  will not result in an Event of Default or
cause a Material Adverse Change.

                  5.20  Service  Contracts.   No Borrower other than Vital
provides network data services including  installation and maintenance services,
and no Borrower other than Vital and

                                      -55-


<PAGE>

DataComm Leasing has entered into contracts with its customers for the provision
of such services other than immaterial contracts.

         6.       AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

                  Each Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any credit
hereunder   shall  be  available  and  until  full  and  final  payment  of  the
Obligations,  each Borrower shall,  and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
do all of the following:

                  6.1  Accounting  System.   Maintain  a standard and modern
system of accounting that enables each Borrower to produce financial  statements
in accordance with GAAP, and maintain records  pertaining to the Collateral that
contain  information as from time to time may be reasonably  requested by Agent.
Each Borrower also shall keep a modern inventory reporting system that shows all
additions, sales, claims, returns, and allowances with respect to the Inventory.

                  6.2  Collateral  Reporting.  Provide Agent with the following
documents at the following times in form  satisfactory to Agent:  (a) on Tuesday
of each week (provided that, if Availability is less than $4,000,000 on any day,
then on the first Business Day  thereafter  and on each  following  Business Day
until  Availability  is greater than  $4,000,000),  a sales journal,  collection
journal,  and credit  register since the last such schedule and a calculation of
the  Borrowing  Base as of the last  Business  Day of the prior  week,  (b) on a
monthly  basis and,  in any  event,  by no later than the 20th day of each month
during the term of this Agreement,  (i) a detailed  calculation of the Borrowing
Base,  and (ii) a detailed  aging,  by total,  of the Accounts,  together with a
reconciliation  to the detailed  calculation  of the Borrowing  Base  previously
provided to Agent,  (c) on a monthly  basis and, in any event,  by no later than
the 20th day of each month during the term of this  Agreement,  a summary aging,
by vendor, of each Borrower's accounts payable and any book overdraft,  (d) on a
monthly basis  (provided  that, if  Availability  is less than $4,000,000 on any
day,  then on a weekly  basis  thereafter  until  such time as  Availability  is
greater than $4,000,000),  Inventory reports specifying each Borrower's standard
cost,  with  additional  detail  showing  additions  to and  deletions  from the
Inventory,  (e) on a monthly basis, notice of all returns,  disputes, or claims,
(f) upon request,  copies of invoices in connection with the Accounts,  customer
statements,  credit  memos,  remittance  advices  and  reports,  deposit  slips,
shipping  and  delivery  documents  in  connection  with  the  Accounts  and for
Inventory and Equipment acquired by each Borrower, purchase orders and invoices,
(g) on a quarterly basis, a detailed list of each Borrower's customers, (h) on a
monthly basis, a calculation of the Dilution for the prior month;  (i) within 15
days after the  respective  due dates of the  Borrowers'  monthly  or  quarterly
rental  and  mortgage  payment  obligations,  evidence  of  the  payment  by the
Borrowers of such rental and mortgage  obligations  for each property  leased or
owned by any  Borrower;  (j) on the 20th day after the first day of each  fiscal
quarter of DataComm Leasing,  a detailed  schedule of all Indebtedness,  if any,
incurred  by DataComm  Leasing in the prior  fiscal  quarter  that is secured by
leases (and the underlying  Equipment) in which DataComm  Leasing is the lessor;
and (k) such other reports as to the  Collateral  or the financial  condition of
each Borrower as Agent may reasonably request from time to time.  Original sales
invoices evidencing daily sales shall be mailed by each Borrower to each Account
Debtor and, at Agent's direction after the occurrence

                                      -56-

<PAGE>

and during the  continuance of an Event of Default,  the invoices shall indicate
on their face that the Account has been  assigned to Agent and that all payments
are to be made directly to Agent.

                  6.3   Financial Statements,  Reports,  Certificates.   Deliver
to Agent with copies to each Lender: (a) as soon as available,  but in any event
within 20 days  after the end of each month  during  each of  Borrowers'  fiscal
years,  a company  prepared  balance  sheet and income  statement,  covering the
operations  of  the  Parent  and  its   Subsidiaries   on  a  consolidated   and
consolidating  basis during such period;  (b) as soon as  available,  but in any
event  within  45 days  after  the end of each  fiscal  quarter  during  each of
Borrowers' fiscal years, a company prepared balance sheet, income statement, and
statements  of  cash  flows  covering  the  operations  of the  Parent  and  its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated and consolidating  basis during such period;  and
(c) as soon as available,  but in any event within 90 days after the end of each
of Borrowers' fiscal years,  consolidated financial statements of Parent and its
Subsidiaries for each such fiscal year, audited by independent  certified public
accountants   reasonably   acceptable  to  Agent  and  certified,   without  any
qualifications,  by such  accountants  to have been prepared in accordance  with
GAAP, together with a certificate of such accountants addressed to Agent stating
that such  accountants  do not have knowledge of the existence of any Default or
Event of Default.  Such audited  financial  statements  shall  include a balance
sheet,  profit and loss statement,  and statement of cash flow and, if prepared,
such accountants' letter to management.

                  In addition to the above,  Parent also shall deliver to Agent,
with a copy to each Lender,  Parent's  Form 10-Q  Quarterly  Reports,  Form 10-K
Annual  Reports,  and Form 8-K Current  Reports,  and any other  filings made by
Parent with the Securities and Exchange Commission,  if any, as soon as the same
are  filed,  or any  other  information  that is  provided  by  Borrower  to its
shareholders, and any other report reasonably requested by Agent relating to the
financial condition of Parent and its Subsidiaries.

                  Each month,  together with the financial  statements  provided
pursuant to Section  6.3(a),  Administrative  Borrower  shall deliver to Agent a
certificate  signed by its chief  financial  officer to the effect that: (i) all
financial statements delivered or caused to be delivered to Agent hereunder have
been  prepared  in  accordance  with  GAAP  (except,  in the  case of  unaudited
financial  statements,  for the lack of footnotes  and being subject to year-end
audit adjustments) and fairly present the financial  condition of each Borrower,
(ii) the  representations  and  warranties  of each  Borrower  contained in this
Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents  are true and  correct in all  material
respects on and as of the date of such certificate,  as though made on and as of
such date (except to the extent that such  representations and warranties relate
solely to an earlier date),  (iii) for each month that also is the date on which
a financial  covenant in Section 7.20 is to be tested, a Compliance  Certificate
demonstrating in reasonable detail compliance at the end of such period with the
applicable  financial  covenants contained in Section 7.20, and (iv) on the date
of delivery of such  certificate  to Agent there does not exist any condition or
event that constitutes a Default or Event of Default (or, in the case of clauses
(i),  (ii),  or (iii),  to the  extent of any  non-compliance,  describing  such
non-compliance  as to  which  he or she  may  have  knowledge  and  what  action
Borrowers have taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect thereto).

                                      -57-

<PAGE>

                  6.4  Tax  Returns.  Deliver to Agent copies of each Borrower's
future federal income tax returns,  and any amendments  thereto,  within 30 days
after the filing thereof with the Internal Revenue Service.

                  6.5  Guarantor   Reports.   Cause  any Guarantor of any of the
Obligations  to  deliver  its  annual  financial  statements  at the  time  when
Borrowers provide their audited financial  statements to Agent and copies of all
federal income tax returns as soon as the same are available and in any event no
later than 30 days after the same are required to be filed by law.

                  6.6  Returns.   Cause returns and allowances,  if any, as
between  a  Borrower  and its  Account  Debtors  to be on the same  basis and in
accordance with the usual customary practices of such Borrower, as they exist at
the time of the execution and delivery of this Agreement.  If, at a time when no
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,  any Account Debtor returns any
Inventory to a Borrower,  such Borrower  promptly shall determine the reason for
such return and, if such Borrower accepts such return, issue a credit memorandum
(with a copy to be sent to Agent)  in the  appropriate  amount  to such  Account
Debtor.  If, at a time when an Event of Default has occurred and is  continuing,
any Account Debtor returns any Inventory to a Borrower,  such Borrower  promptly
shall determine the reason for such return and, if Agent consents (which consent
shall not be unreasonably  withheld),  issue a credit memorandum (with a copy to
be sent to Agent) in the appropriate amount to such Account Debtor.

                  6.7  Title to  Equipment.  Upon Agent's request, each Borrower
promptly  shall deliver to Agent,  properly  endorsed,  any and all evidences of
ownership of,  certificates of title, or applications  for title to any items of
Equipment.

                  6.8  Maintenance  of  Equipment.   Maintain the Equipment in
good operating condition and repair (ordinary wear and tear excepted),  and make
all necessary  replacements  thereto so that the value and operating  efficiency
thereof shall at all times be  maintained  and  preserved.  Other than (i) those
items  of  Equipment  that  constitute  fixtures  on the  Closing  Date and (ii)
heating,  ventilation and air conditioning  equipment,  no Borrower shall permit
any item of  Equipment  to become a fixture to real  estate or an  accession  to
other property, and such Equipment shall at all times remain personal property.

                  6.9  Taxes.  Cause all assessments and taxes,  whether real,
personal,  or  otherwise,  due or payable  by, or imposed,  levied,  or assessed
against  a  Borrower  or any  of its  Subsidiaries  or any of  their  respective
properties to be paid in full,  before  delinquency  or before the expiration of
any extension period,  except to the extent that the validity of such assessment
or tax  (other  than  payroll  taxes or taxes  that are the  subject of a United
States  federal  tax lien) shall be the  subject of a  Permitted  Protest.  Each
Borrower shall make, and cause its  Subsidiaries to make, due and timely payment
or  deposit  of all such  federal,  state,  and  local  taxes,  assessments,  or
contributions required of them by law, and will execute and deliver to Agent, on
demand,  appropriate  certificates  attesting to the payment  thereof or deposit
with respect  thereto.  Each Borrower will make, and cause its  Subsidiaries  to
make,  timely  payment or  deposit of all tax  payments  and  withholding  taxes
required of them by applicable laws,  including those laws concerning  F.I.C.A.,
F.U.T.A.,  state  disability,  and local,  state,  and federal income taxes, and
will,

                                      -58-
<PAGE>

upon request,  furnish Agent with proof  satisfactory  to Agent  indicating that
such Borrower and such Subsidiaries has made such payments or deposits.

                  6.10  Insurance.

                           (a)      At its expense, keep the Personal Property
Collateral insured against loss or damage by fire, theft, explosion, sprinklers,
and all other hazards and risks, and in such amounts,  as are ordinarily insured
against by other owners in similar businesses. Each Borrower also shall maintain
business interruption,  public liability, product liability, and property damage
insurance relating to such Borrower's ownership and use of the Personal Property
Collateral,  as well as insurance  against larceny,  embezzlement,  and criminal
misappropriation.

                           (b)      At its expense, obtain and maintain (i)
insurance of the type necessary to insure the Improvements and Chattels (as such
terms are defined in the  Mortgages),  for the full  replacement  cost  thereof,
against any loss by fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, explosion, aircraft, smoke
damage, vehicle damage,  earthquakes,  elevator collision,  and other risks from
time to time included under  "extended  coverage"  policies,  in such amounts as
Agent may  require,  but in any  event in  amounts  sufficient  to  prevent  any
Borrower from becoming a co-insurer  under such policies;  (ii) combined  single
limit bodily injury and property damages insurance against any loss,  liability,
or damages on, about, or relating to each parcel of Real Property Collateral, in
an amount  reasonably  acceptable to the Agent;  (iii) business rental insurance
covering  annual receipts for a 12 month period for each parcel of Real Property
Collateral;  and (iv)  insurance  for such  other  risks as Agent  may  require.
Replacement  costs,  at Agent's  option,  may be  redetermined  by an  insurance
appraiser,  satisfactory to Agent, not more frequently than once every 12 months
at Borrowers' cost.

                           (c)      All such policies of insurance shall be in
such  form,  with  such  companies,  and in such  amounts  as may be  reasonably
satisfactory  to Agent.  All  insurance  required  herein  shall be  written  by
companies  which  have a Best's  rating  of A for  capital  and X for  financial
stability. All hazard insurance and such other insurance as Agent shall specify,
shall  contain a  California  Form  438BFU  (NS)  mortgagee  endorsement,  or an
equivalent  endorsement  satisfactory to Agent, showing Agent as sole loss payee
thereof  (other than with respect to the Real  Property  Collateral),  and shall
contain a waiver of  warranties.  Every policy of insurance  referred to in this
Section  6.10 shall  contain an agreement by the insurer that it will not cancel
such policy except after 30 days prior written notice to Agent and that any loss
payable thereunder shall be payable notwithstanding any act or negligence of any
Borrower or Agent which might, absent such agreement,  result in a forfeiture of
all or a part of such insurance payment and notwithstanding (i) occupancy or use
of the Real Property  Collateral  for purposes more  hazardous than permitted by
the terms of such policy,  (ii) any  foreclosure  or other action or  proceeding
taken by Agent or the Lender Group  pursuant to the Mortgages upon the happening
of an Event of Default,  or (iii) any change in title or  ownership  of the Real
Property  Collateral.  Each Borrower shall deliver to Agent certified  copies of
such policies of insurance and evidence of the payment of all premiums therefor.

                           (d)      Original policies or certificates thereof
satisfactory  to Agent  evidencing such insurance shall be delivered to Agent at
least 30 days prior to the  expiration  of

                                      -59-
<PAGE>


the existing or preceding policies. Each Borrower shall give Agent prompt notice
of any loss covered by such  insurance.  Agent shall have the exclusive right to
adjust  all  losses  payable  under  any such  insurance  policies  without  any
liability to any Borrower  whatsoever in respect of such  adjustments;  provided
that either (i) an Event of Default has occurred and is  continuing  at the time
of such  adjustment,  or (ii)  the  amount  of any  such  loss  covered  by such
insurance is in excess of $750,000.  Any monies received as payment for any loss
under any insurance  policy  including the insurance  policies  mentioned above,
shall be paid over to Agent (for the ratable  benefit of the Lender Group) to be
applied  at the  option of Agent  either  to the  repayment  of the  Obligations
without  premium,  or shall be disbursed to a Borrower under stage payment terms
satisfactory to Agent for application to the cost of repairs,  replacements,  or
restorations,  except to the extent such  insurance  proceeds are required to be
paid to The Chase Manhattan Bank under any of its mortgages on the Real Property
Collateral or to other holders of Permitted  Liens to the extent required by the
agreement creating or evidencing such Permitted Lien or the indebtedness secured
thereby.  All repairs,  replacements,  or  restorations  shall be effected  with
reasonable promptness and shall be of a value at least equal to the value of the
items or  property  destroyed  prior to such  damage  or  destruction.  Upon the
occurrence  of an Event of  Default,  Agent  shall  have the  right to apply all
prepaid  premiums  to the  payment of the  Obligations  in such order or form as
Agent shall determine.

                           (e)      No Borrower shall take out separate
insurance  concurrent  in form or  contributing  in the  event of loss with that
required to be  maintained  under this  Section  6.10,  unless Agent is included
thereon  as named  insured  with  the loss  payable  to Agent  under a  standard
California  438BFU (NS) Mortgagee  endorsement,  or its local  equivalent.  Each
Borrower  immediately  shall notify Agent  whenever such  separate  insurance is
taken out,  specifying  the insurer  thereunder  and full  particulars as to the
policies  evidencing the same, and originals of such policies  immediately shall
be provided to Agent.

                  6.11  No   Setoffs   or   Counterclaims.  Make payments
hereunder  and under the other Loan  Documents  by or on behalf of any  Borrower
without setoff or counterclaim  and free and clear of, and without  deduction or
withholding for or on account of, any federal, state, or local taxes.

                  6.12  Location of  Inventory  and  Equipment;  Segregation  of
Inventory (a) Keep the Inventory and Equipment only at the locations  identified
on Schedule 6.12; provided,  however,  that Borrowers may amend Schedule 6.12 so
long as such  amendment  occurs by written notice to Agent not less than 30 days
prior to the date on  which  the  Inventory  or  Equipment  is moved to such new
location,  so long as such new location is within the continental United States,
and so long as, at the time of such written notification, each Borrower provides
any financing  statements or fixture  filings  necessary to perfect and continue
perfected  Agent's  Liens and  Agent's  Term Loan Liens in such  assets and also
provides to Agent a Collateral Access Agreement.

                           (b)      Keep all bill and hold Inventory physically
segregated from all other Inventory of the Borrowers and marked to indicate that
such segregated Inventory is not the property of a Borrower.

                                      -60-
<PAGE>

                  6.13  Compliance with Laws. Comply and cause its  Subsidiaries
to comply with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations,  and
orders of any Governmental Authority, including the Fair Labor Standards Act and
the Americans With Disabilities Act, other than laws,  rules,  regulations,  and
orders the non-compliance  with which,  individually or in the aggregate,  would
not cause and could not  reasonably  be  expected  to cause a  Material  Adverse
Change.

                  6.14  Employee Benefits.

                           (a)      Cause to be delivered to Agent:
(i)  promptly,  and in any event within 10 Business Days after a Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries knows or has reason to know that an ERISA Event has occurred
that  reasonably  could be expected to result in a Material  Adverse  Change,  a
written  statement of the chief  financial  officer of such Borrower  describing
such ERISA Event and any action that is being  taking  with  respect  thereto by
such Borrower,  any such Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate,  and any action taken or
threatened  by the IRS,  Department  of  Labor,  or  PBGC.  A  Borrower  or such
Subsidiary,  as  applicable,  shall be  deemed  to know all  facts  known by the
administrator  of any  Benefit  Plan  of  which  it is the  plan  sponsor,  (ii)
promptly,  and in any event within 3 Business Days after the filing thereof with
the IRS, a copy of each funding waiver request filed with respect to any Benefit
Plan and all communications  received by a Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or,
to the  knowledge of such  Borrower,  any ERISA  Affiliate  with respect to such
request,  and (iii)  promptly,  and in any event  within 3  Business  Days after
receipt by a Borrower,  any of its  Subsidiaries  or, to the  knowledge  of such
Borrower,  any ERISA  Affiliate,  of the PBGC's intention to terminate a Benefit
Plan or to have a trustee appointed to administer a Benefit Plan, copies of each
such notice.

                           (b)      Cause to be delivered to Agent, upon Agent's
request, each of the following: (i) a copy of each Plan (or, where any such plan
is not in writing,  complete  description  thereof) (and if applicable,  related
trust agreements or other funding  instruments) and all amendments thereto,  all
written  interpretations thereof and written descriptions thereof that have been
distributed to employees or former employees of a Borrower or its  Subsidiaries;
(ii) the most recent determination letter issued by the IRS with respect to each
Benefit Plan; (iii) for the three most recent plan years, annual reports on Form
5500 Series required to be filed with any  governmental  agency for each Benefit
Plan; (iv) all actuarial reports prepared for the last three plan years for each
Benefit  Plan;  (v) a listing of all  Multiemployer  Plans,  with the  aggregate
amount of the most recent annual contributions required to be made by a Borrower
or any ERISA Affiliate to each such plan and copies of the collective bargaining
agreements  requiring such  contributions;  (vi) any  information  that has been
provided to a Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate  regarding  withdrawal  liability
under any Multiemployer  Plan; and (vii) the aggregate amount of the most recent
annual payments made to former employees of a Borrower or its Subsidiaries under
any Retiree Health Plan.

                  6.15  Leases.  Pay when due all  rents  and  other amounts
payable  under  any  leases  to which  any  Borrower  is a party or by which any
Borrower's properties and assets are bound, unless such payments are the subject
of a  Permitted  Protest.  To the extent  that a Borrower  fails  timely to make
payment of such rents and other amounts payable when due under

                                      -61-
<PAGE>

its leases,  Agent shall be entitled,  in its  discretion,  to reserve an amount
equal to such unpaid amounts against the Borrowing Base.

                  6.16  Year 2000 Compliance.  Complete in all material respects
(i) the  reprogramming  required to address  the Year 2000  problem  (i.e.,  the
inability of certain  computer  applications to recognize  correctly and perform
properly  date-sensitive  functions  involving any date after December 31, 1999)
and to permit the proper  functioning,  in and  following  the year 2000, of (a)
each  Borrower's  and its  Subsidiaries'  computer  systems  and  (b)  equipment
containing embedded microchips  (including the exercise of reasonable commercial
efforts with respect to systems and  equipment  supplied by others or with which
such Borrower's or its Subsidiaries'  systems interface) and (ii) the testing of
all such systems and equipment, as so reprogrammed, by October 31, 1999.

                  6.17   Broker Commissions.  Pay any and all brokerage
commission or finders fees incurred or payable in connection with or as a result
of Borrowers' obtaining financing from the Lender Group under this Agreement.

                  6.18   Assignment of Claims Act.  On the Closing Date, with
respect  to any  Accounts  existing  on the  Closing  Date,  and within ten (10)
Business Days after any Borrower creates or otherwise generates an Account,  the
Account Debtor of which is (1) the United States,  or any department,  agency or
instrumentality  thereof, or (2) a state or city Governmental Authority,  except
to the extent  such  Account is not  deemed an  ineligible  Account by reason of
clause  (ii)(A) or (ii)(C)  of  paragraph  (f) of the  definition  of  "Eligible
Accounts"  set  forth  in  Section  1.1,   deliver  to  Agent  executed  notices
("Assignment of Claims Act Notices") (i) complying with the  requirements of (A)
FAR  32.805(c),  codified  at 48 C.F.R.  ss.  32.805(c),  promulgated  under the
Assignment of Claims Act (or any successor provision), or (B) if applicable, the
statutory  or  regulatory  counterpart  to FAR  32.805(c)  of such  State,  (ii)
substantially  in the form of Exhibit 6.18 (adjusted as necessary to comply with
(A) the Assignment of Claims Act or (B) if applicable, the statutory counterpart
of the Assignment of Claims Act of such State),  (iii) naming Agent as assignee,
and (iv) addressed to each such Account Debtor, together with a cover memorandum
identifying  each Person that must receive a copy of such  Assignment  of Claims
Act Notices in order to effect a proper assignment of such Account to Agent.

                  6.19 Intellectual  Property.  Within 45 days after the Closing
Date,  the Parent  shall  assign and  transfer  to General  DataComm  all of the
Parent's right, title and interest in and to all Intellectual  Property.  Within
45 days  after the  Closing  Date,  the  Parent  shall  cause ARC to assign  and
transfer to General  DataComm all of ARC's  right,  title and interest in and to
all of ARC's Intellectual Property listed in Schedule 5.16.

         7.       NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

                  Each Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any credit
hereunder   shall  be  available  and  until  full  and  final  payment  of  the
Obligations,  no Borrower will, nor will permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to, do
any of the following:

                                      -62-
<PAGE>

                  7.1  Indebtedness.   Create,  incur,  assume, permit,
guarantee,  or otherwise become or remain,  directly or indirectly,  liable with
respect to any Indebtedness, except:

                           (a)      Indebtedness evidenced by this Agreement,
together with  Indebtedness to issuers of letters of credit that are the subject
of L/C Guarantees;

                           (b)      Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 7.1;

                           (c)      Indebtedness secured by Permitted Liens;

                           (d)      refinancings, renewals, exchanges, or
extensions of  Indebtedness  permitted under clauses (b) and (c) of this Section
7.1 (and continuance or renewal of any Permitted Liens associated  therewith) so
long as:  (i) the  terms  and  conditions  of such  refinancings,  renewals,  or
extensions  do  not  materially   impair  the  prospects  of  repayment  of  the
Obligations  by any Borrower,  (ii) the net cash proceeds of such  refinancings,
renewals,  or extensions do not result in an increase in the aggregate principal
amount of the  Indebtedness  so  refinanced,  renewed,  or extended,  (iii) such
refinancings,  renewals, refundings, or extensions do not result in a shortening
of the average weighted maturity of the Indebtedness so refinanced,  renewed, or
extended,  and (iv) to the  extent  that  Indebtedness  that is  refinanced  was
subordinated  in right of payment  to the  Obligations,  then the  subordination
terms  and  conditions  of the  refinancing  Indebtedness  must be at  least  as
favorable to Lender Group as those applicable to the refinanced Indebtedness;

                           (e)      Subordinated Exchange Nonconvertible Notes
in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $25,000,000 at any time, provided
that such Notes are issued in exchange for the Convertible  Senior  Subordinated
Debentures;

                           (f)      9% Convertible Subordinated Debentures in an
aggregate principal amount not to exceed $20,000,000 at any time, provided, that
such  Debentures  are issued in exchange for Parent's 9% Cumulative  Convertible
Exchangeable Preferred Stock in accordance with Section 7.11; and

                           (g)      Purchase Money Indebtedness incurred after
the  Closing  Date in an  aggregate  amount  outstanding  at any one time not to
exceed the amount of capital expenditures permitted under Section 7.21.

                  7.2 Liens. Create, incur, assume, or permit to exist,
directly or  indirectly,  any Lien on or with  respect to any of its property or
assets, of any kind, whether now owned or hereafter  acquired,  or any income or
profits  therefrom,  except  for  Permitted  Liens  (including  Liens  that  are
replacements of Permitted Liens to the extent that the original  Indebtedness is
refinanced  under  Section  7.1(d)  and so long as the  replacement  Liens  only
encumber those assets or property that secured the original Indebtedness).

                  7.3  Restrictions  on Fundamental  Changes. Enter into any
merger, consolidation,  reorganization,  or recapitalization,  or reclassify its
capital  Stock,  or  liquidate,  wind up, or  dissolve  itself  (or  suffer  any
liquidation or  dissolution),  or convey,  sell,  assign,  lease,  transfer,  or
otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or any

                                      -63-
<PAGE>

substantial part of its property or assets, except that a Borrower may be merged
into another Borrower or a Guarantor,  a Subsidiary of a Borrower or a Guarantor
may be merged into a Borrower  and a  Subsidiary  that is not a Borrower  may be
merged into another  Subsidiary that is not a Borrower or a Guarantor,  provided
that if any such Person is merged with or into the Administrative  Borrower, the
Administrative Borrower shall be the surviving entity.

                  7.4      Disposal of  Assets.  Sell,  lease, assign, transfer,
or otherwise dispose of any of such Borrower's  properties or assets other than,
(i)  sales of  Inventory  to buyers in the  ordinary  course of such  Borrower's
business as currently conducted, (ii) the sale of ARC, (iii) the sale of MRC, or
(iv) the sale of the Middlebury Real Property.

                  7.5      Change Name.  Change any Borrower's name, FEIN,
corporate  structure  (within the meaning of Section  9-402(7) of the Code),  or
identity, or add any new fictitious name.

                  7.6      Guarantee.  Guarantee or otherwise become in any way
liable with respect to the obligations of any third Person except by endorsement
of  instruments  or items of payment for deposit to the account of a Borrower or
which are  transmitted or turned over to Agent,  except as set forth in Schedule
7.6.

                  7.7      Nature of Business.  Make any change in the principal
nature of any Borrower's business.

                  7.8      Prepayments and Amendments.

                                    (a)      Except in connection with a
refinancing or exchange  permitted by Sections 7.1(d) or (e), and except for the
prepayment,  redemption,  retirement or  defeasement of any  Indebtedness  for a
consideration consisting solely of Common Stock, or except for the prepayment of
any  Indebtedness  that is outstanding on the Closing Date and is secured by any
Real Property Collateral existing on the Closing Date, prepay,  redeem,  retire,
defease,  purchase,  or otherwise  acquire any  Indebtedness  owing to any third
Person, other than the Obligations in accordance with this Agreement, and

                                    (b)      Except in connection with a
refinancing  or  exchange  permitted  by  Sections  7.1(d) or (e),  directly  or
indirectly,  amend,  modify,  alter,  increase,  or  change  any of the terms or
conditions of any agreement,  instrument,  document, indenture, or other writing
evidencing  or  concerning  Indebtedness  (other  than  the  Indenture,  the  9%
Indenture,  the  Convertible  Senior  Subordinated  Debentures,  the Parent's 9%
Cumulative  Convertible  Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock,  or the 9%  Convertible
Subordinated  Debentures) permitted under Sections 7.1(b), (c), (d), (e) or (f),
and

                                    (c)      Except in connection with a
refinancing  or  exchange  permitted  by  Sections  7.1(d) or (e),  agree to any
amendment or make any other change to (or make any payment  consistent  with any
amendment or other change to), or waive any of its rights under, the Parent's 9%
Cumulative  Convertible  Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock,  the Indenture,  the 9%
Indenture,  the Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures or the 9% Convertible
Subordinated Debentures or refinance any Indebtedness evidenced by the Indenture
or the 9% Indenture
                                      -64-
<PAGE>


without  obtaining  the prior  written  consent of the Required  Lenders to such
amendment,  modification,  payment, waiver, change or refinancing, except for an
amendment or supplement that cures any ambiguity, inconsistency or defect in any
Indenture,  provided that any such amendment or supplement is not adverse to the
interests of the Agent and the Lender Group.

                                    (d)      The Parent shall not satisfy any of
its  obligations  with respect to any redemption,  tender,  put or other similar
obligation under the Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures, the Parent's 9%
Cumulative  Convertible  Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock,  or the 9%  Convertible
Subordinated Debentures by paying cash or any other consideration other than its
Common Stock or its Subordinated Exchange Nonconvertible Notes.

                  7.9      Change of Control.  Cause, permit, or suffer,
directly or indirectly, any Change of Control.

                  7.10     Consignments.   Consign any Inventory or sell any
Inventory  on  bill  and  hold,  sale or  return,  sale on  approval,  or  other
conditional  terms  of sale,  except  (i) bill  and  hold  Inventory  having  an
aggregate value up to $1,000,000,  and (ii) consignment Inventory for short term
demonstration purposes.

                  7.11      Distributions.  Make any distribution or declare or
pay any dividends (in cash or other  property,  other than capital Stock) on, or
purchase,  acquire,  redeem, or retire any of such Borrower's  capital Stock, of
any class, whether now or hereafter outstanding, except that (i) a Subsidiary of
a Borrower (other than Parent) may pay dividends to such Borrower,  (ii) so long
as both before and after giving effect  thereto,  no Default or Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing  and  Availability  is not less than  $1,000,000,
Parent may pay  regularly  scheduled  quarterly  dividends on its 9%  Cumulative
Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock, (iii) Parent may receive shares of its
Common Stock in  consideration  for the exercise of stock options granted to its
employees and directors (so long as no cash  consideration  is paid by Parent or
any of its Subsidiaries), (iv) Parent may cancel or retire options in accordance
with its stock option  plans (so long as Parent does not make any cash  payments
in  connection  therewith,  and  (v)  Parent  may  exchange  its  9%  Cumulative
Convertible  Exchangeable  Preferred Stock for a corresponding  amount of its 9%
Convertible  Subordinated  Debentures or its Common Stock (but not for any other
consideration).

                  7.12      Accounting  Methods.  Modify or change its method of
accounting,  except as required to comply  with GAAP or enter into,  modify,  or
terminate any agreement  currently  existing,  or at any time hereafter  entered
into with any third party  accounting firm or service bureau for the preparation
or storage of such Borrower's accounting records without said accounting firm or
service bureau agreeing to provide Agent information regarding the Collateral or
such Borrower's financial condition.  Each Borrower waives the right to assert a
confidential  relationship,  if any,  it may have  with any  accounting  firm or
service bureau in connection with any information requested by Agent pursuant to
or in accordance with this Agreement, and agrees that Agent may contact directly
any such accounting firm or service bureau in order to obtain such information.

                                      -65-
<PAGE>


                  7.13      Investments. Directly or indirectly make, acquire,
or incur any liabilities (including contingent obligations) for or in connection
with (a) the acquisition of the securities (whether debt or equity) of, or other
interests in, a Person, except for (i) those securities listed in Schedule 7.13,
or (ii)  securities the aggregate value of which does not exceed  $350,000,  (b)
loans, advances,  capital  contributions,  or transfers of property to a Person,
except  intercompany  loans (i) made by a Borrower to a Borrower or a Guarantor,
or by a Guarantor to a Borrower or a Guarantor  provided  that (A) the repayment
of each such  intercompany  loan  shall be  subordinated  to the  payment of the
Obligations,  pursuant to the terms of and  evidenced by one or more  promissory
notes in form and substance  satisfactory to the Agent, and (B) such notes shall
be pledged to the Agent  pursuant  to the  Pledge  Agreement  and (ii) made by a
Borrower  or a  Guarantor  to (A) a  Subsidiary  (other  than ARC) that is not a
Borrower or a Guarantor, provided that the aggregate amount of such intercompany
advances  or loans shall not exceed  $700,000  during any  calendar  quarter and
$2,000,000  during any calendar  year,  and (B) ARC during such time as ARC is a
wholly owned  Subsidiary of the Parent,  provided  that the aggregate  amount of
such  intercompany  advances  or loans  shall not exceed  $1,500,000  during any
calendar quarter and $4,800,000  during any calendar year or (c) the acquisition
of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of a Person.

                  7.14     Transactions  with   Affiliates.   Transactions  with
Affiliates.  Directly or  indirectly  enter into or permit to exist any material
transaction with any Affiliate of a Borrower except for  transactions  permitted
under  Sections 7.11 and 7.13 hereof and  transactions  that are in the ordinary
course of a Borrower's business,  upon fair and reasonable terms, that are fully
disclosed to Agent,  and that are no less  favorable to such Borrower than would
be obtained in an arm's length transaction with a non-Affiliate.

                  7.15     Suspension.  Suspend or go out of a substantial
portion of its business.

                  7.16     [Intentionally Omitted]

                  7.17     Use of Proceeds.  Use the proceeds of the Advances
and the Term Loans made  hereunder for any purpose other than (a) on the Closing
Date, (i) to repay in full the  outstanding  principal,  accrued  interest,  and
accrued  fees  and  expenses  owing  to  Existing   Lender,   and  (ii)  to  pay
transactional costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, and
(b) thereafter,  consistent with the terms and conditions hereof, for its lawful
and permitted corporate purposes.

                  7.18      Change in Location of Chief Executive  Office;
Inventory and Equipment with Bailees.  Relocate its chief executive  office to a
new location  without  providing 30 days prior written  notification  thereof to
Agent to the extent such  location is not  covered by a financing  statement  in
favor of the Agent,  and so long as, at the time of such  written  notification,
each Borrower provides any financing  statements or fixture filings necessary to
perfect and  continue  perfected  Agent's  Liens and Agent's Term Loan Liens and
also provides to Agent a Collateral  Access  Agreement  with respect to such new
location.  The Inventory and Equipment shall not at any time now or hereafter be
stored with a bailee,  warehouseman,  or similar  party  without  Agent's  prior
written consent.

                                      -66-
<PAGE>

                  7.19     No Prohibited Transactions Under ERISA.
Directly or indirectly:

                           (a)      engage, or permit any Subsidiary of a
Borrower to engage, in any prohibited  transaction which is reasonably likely to
result in a civil  penalty or excise tax  described  in Sections 406 of ERISA or
4975 of the IRC for which a statutory or class  exemption is not  available or a
private exemption has not been previously obtained from the Department of Labor;

                           (b)      permit to exist with respect to any Benefit
Plan any accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in Sections 302 of ERISA and
412 of the IRC), whether or not waived;

                           (c)      fail, or permit any Subsidiary of a Borrower
to fail, to pay timely required  contributions  or annual  installments due with
respect to any waived funding deficiency to any Benefit Plan;

                           (d)      terminate, or permit any Subsidiary of a
Borrower to  terminate,  any Benefit  Plan where such event would  result in any
liability of a Borrower,  any of its  Subsidiaries  or any ERISA Affiliate under
Title IV of ERISA;

                           (e)      fail, or permit any Subsidiary of a Borrower
to fail, to make any required contribution or payment to any Multiemployer Plan;

                           (f)      fail, or permit any Subsidiary of a Borrower
to fail, to pay any required  installment  or any other payment  required  under
Section 412 of the IRC on or before the due date for such  installment  or other
payment;

                           (g)      amend, or permit any Subsidiary of a
Borrower to amend, a Plan resulting in an increase in current  liability for the
plan year such that either of a Borrower, any Subsidiary of such Borrower or any
ERISA  Affiliate  is  required to provide  security  to such Plan under  Section
401(a)(29) of the IRC; or

                           (h)      withdraw, or permit any Subsidiary of a
Borrower to  withdraw,  from any  Multiemployer  Plan where such  withdrawal  is
reasonably  likely to result in any  liability of any such entity under Title IV
of ERISA;  which,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  results in or reasonably
would be expected to result in a claim  against or liability of a Borrower,  any
of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate in excess of $250,000.

                  7.20  Financial  Covenant.   Fail  to maintain  Net Worth at
the end of each fiscal quarter of the Parent of at least $18,131,000, determined
in  accordance  with GAAP as in  effect on the  Closing  Date.  If GAAP  changes
subsequent to the Closing Date, the Parent will deliver to the Agent,  within 45
days  after  the  end of  each  fiscal  quarter,  a  statement  reconciling  the
calculation of Net Worth using GAAP as it existed on the Closing Date to the Net
Worth  calculation  based upon financial  statements  delivered to the Agent for
such fiscal quarter.

                                      -67-
<PAGE>

                  7.21     Capital Expenditures.  Make capital expenditures in
any fiscal year in excess of $12,000,000.

                  7.22     Inactive Subsidiary.  Permit either DataComm Rental,
DataComm  Venezuela or DataComm  Netherlands to become an active  company,  have
operations, conduct business or own any assets.

                  7.23     Securities  Accounts.   No Borrower shall  establish
or maintain any  Securities  Account  unless Agent shall have received a Control
Agreement,  duly  executed  and in full  force and  effect,  in  respect of such
Securities Account. Each Borrower agrees that it will not transfer assets out of
any Securities Accounts; provided, however, that, so long as no Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom,  each Borrower may use
such assets to the extent permitted by this Agreement.

                  7.24     Subsidiary  Cash.   Permit  any Subsidiary  of the
Parent  that is not a  Borrower  to keep cash on hand in  excess  of the  amount
required to fund such Subsidiary's normal operations for a two week period (such
amount of cash, its "Cash Operating Requirement").

         8.       EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

                  Any one or more of the  following  events shall  constitute an
event of default (each, an "Event of Default") under this Agreement:

                  8.1  If  Borrowers fail to pay  when due and  payable  or when
declared due and payable,  any portion of the Obligations (whether of principal,
interest (including any interest which, but for the provisions of the Bankruptcy
Code,  would have accrued on such  amounts),  fees and charges due Lender Group,
reimbursement   of  Lender  Group  Expenses,   or  other  amounts   constituting
Obligations);

                  8.2  If any Loan Party fail to  perform,  keep, or observe any
term,  provision,  condition,  covenant, or agreement contained in 6.1, 6.2 (but
only up to three  times  during any  12-month  period,  and only in  relation to
Defaults caused by the failure of third Persons to provide required  information
or reporting, and not in relation to Defaults caused by a Loan Party), 6.3, 6.4,
6.5, 6.7, 6.8, 6.12, 6.13, 6.14, 6.15, and 6.18 of this Agreement, or comparable
provisions of the other Loan Documents, within 10 days of the date when required
(or  within 5 days of the date  when  required  in the  case of  Section  6.2 or
Section 6.3), or if any Loan Party otherwise fails to perform,  keep, or observe
any other term, provision,  condition,  covenant, or agreement contained in this
Agreement, in any of the other Loan Documents, or in any other present or future
agreement between any Loan Party, Agent and/or the Lender Group;

                  8.3   [Intentionally Omitted];

                  8.4   If any material portion of any Loan Party 's properties
or assets is attached,  seized,  subjected to a writ or distress warrant,  or is
levied upon, or comes into the possession of any third Person;

                  8.5    If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced by any Loan
Party;

                                      -68-
<PAGE>

                  8.6    If an Insolvency  Proceeding is commenced against any
Loan Party and any of the following  events occur:  (a) such Loan Party consents
to the  institution  of the Insolvency  Proceeding  against it; (b) the petition
commencing  the  Insolvency  Proceeding  is not  timely  controverted;  (c)  the
petition  commencing  the  Insolvency  Proceeding  is not  dismissed  within  45
calendar days of the date of the filing thereof; provided, however, that, during
the pendency of such period, Agent, Foothill, and any other member of the Lender
Group shall be relieved of its  obligation  to extend credit  hereunder;  (d) an
interim trustee is appointed to take possession of all or a substantial  portion
of the properties or assets of, or to operate all or any substantial  portion of
the  business  of, such Loan Party;  or (e) an order for relief  shall have been
issued or entered therein;

                  8.7      If any Loan Party is enjoined, restrained, or in any
way prevented by court order from continuing to conduct all or any material part
of its business affairs;

                  8.8      If a notice of Lien (other than a Permitted  Lien),
levy, or assessment in excess of $100,000 is filed of record with respect to any
Loan  Party's  properties  or assets by the  United  States  Government,  or any
department,  agency,  or  instrumentality  thereof,  or by  any  state,  county,
municipal,  or governmental  agency,  or if any taxes or debts owing at any time
hereafter  to any one or more of such  entities  becomes  a Lien  (other  than a
Permitted Lien), whether choate or otherwise,  upon any Borrower's properties or
assets and the same is not paid on the payment date thereof;

                  8.9      If a  judgment  or other  claim for an amount in
excess of $100,000  becomes a Lien or encumbrance  upon any material  portion of
any Loan Party's properties or assets;

                  8.10     If there is a default in any material  agreement to
which any Loan  Party is a party with one or more  third  Persons  and such Loan
Party  has an  obligation  to pay  money  thereunder  in an  amount in excess of
$1,000,000  to one or more such third Persons and such default (a) occurs at the
final maturity of the obligations thereunder,  or (b) results in a right by such
third Person(s),  irrespective of whether exercised,  to accelerate the maturity
of such Loan Party's obligations thereunder,  to terminate such agreement, or to
refuse to renew such agreement pursuant to an automatic renewal right therein;

                  8.11      If  Loan   Party   makes  any   payment  on  account
of Indebtedness that has been contractually  subordinated in right of payment to
the payment of the  Obligations,  except to the extent such payment is permitted
by the terms of the subordination provisions applicable to such Indebtedness;

                  8.12      If any material misstatement or misrepresentation
exists now or hereafter in any warranty,  representation,  statement,  or report
made to Lender  Group by any Loan  Party or any  officer,  employee,  agent,  or
director  of any  Loan  Party,  or if any such  warranty  or  representation  is
withdrawn; or

                  8.13      If the obligation of any guarantor  under its
guaranty or other third Person under any Loan  Document is limited or terminated
by operation of law or by the guarantor or

                                      -69-
<PAGE>

other third  Person  thereunder,  or any such  guarantor  or other third  Person
becomes the subject of an Insolvency Proceeding.

         9.     LENDER GROUP'S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.

                  9.1  Rights and  Remedies.  Upon the occurrence, and during
the  continuation,  of an Event of  Default,  the  Required  Lenders  (at  their
election but without notice of their election and without demand) may, except to
the extent  otherwise  expressly  provided  or  required  below,  authorize  and
instruct  Agent to do any one or more of the  following  on behalf of the Lender
Group (and Agent, acting upon the instructions of the Required Lenders, shall do
the same on behalf of the Lender  Group),  all of which are  authorized  by each
Borrower:

                           (a)      Declare all Obligations, whether evidenced
by this Agreement, by any of the other Loan Documents, or otherwise, immediately
due and payable;

                           (b)      Cease advancing money or extending credit to
or for the  benefit of  Borrowers  under this  Agreement,  under any of the Loan
Documents, or under any other agreement between Borrowers and Lender Group;

                           (c)      Terminate this Agreement and any of the
other Loan  Documents as to any future  liability or obligation of Lender Group,
but without  affecting  Lender  Group's  rights and  security  interests  in the
Personal  Property  Collateral  or the  Real  Property  Collateral  and  without
affecting the Obligations;

                           (d)      Settle or adjust disputes and claims
directly with Account  Debtors for amounts and upon terms which Agent  considers
advisable,  and in such cases,  Agent will credit  Borrowers'  Loan Account with
only the net  amounts  received  by Agent in payment of such  disputed  Accounts
after deducting all Agent Expenses incurred or expended in connection therewith;

                           (e)      Cause a Borrower to hold all returned
Inventory in trust for Lender Group,  segregate all returned  Inventory from all
other  property  of  such  Borrower  or  in  such   Borrower's   possession  and
conspicuously label said returned Inventory as the property of Lender Group;

                           (f)      Without notice to or demand upon Borrower
or any  Guarantor,  make  such  payments  and do such  acts as  Agent  considers
necessary or reasonable to protect its security  interests in the  Collateral of
Agent (for the benefit of Lender  Group).  Each Borrower  agrees to assemble the
Personal  Property  Collateral  if Agent so  requires,  and to make the Personal
Property  Collateral  available to Agent as Agent may  designate.  Each Borrower
authorizes Agent to enter the premises where the Personal Property Collateral is
located, to take and maintain possession of the Personal Property Collateral, or
any part of it, and to pay,  purchase,  contest,  or compromise any encumbrance,
charge,  or Lien that in  Agent's  determination  appears to  conflict  with the
security  interests of the Agent and to pay all expenses  incurred in connection
therewith.  With respect to a Borrower's owned or leased premises, such Borrower
hereby  grants Agent a license to enter into  possession of such premises and to
occupy the same,
                                      -70-
<PAGE>


without  charge,  for up to 120 days in order to exercise any of Lender  Group's
rights or remedies provided herein, at law, in equity, or otherwise;

                           (g)      Without notice to any Borrower (such notice
being expressly waived),  and without constituting a retention of any collateral
in  satisfaction  of an  obligation  (within the meaning of Section 9-505 of the
Code),  set off and  apply  to the  Obligations  any  and all (i)  balances  and
deposits of each Borrower held by Lender Group  (including any amounts  received
in the Lockbox  Accounts),  or (ii) indebtedness at any time owing to or for the
credit or the account of Borrowers held by Lender Group;

                           (h)      Hold, as cash collateral, any and all
balances and deposits of each  Borrower  held by Lender  Group,  and any amounts
received in the Lockbox Accounts,  to secure the full and final repayment of all
of the Obligations;

                           (i)      Ship, reclaim, recover, store, finish,
maintain,  repair, prepare for sale, advertise for sale, and sell (in the manner
provided for herein) the Personal Property Collateral. Agent is hereby granted a
license or other right to use,  without  charge for the benefit of Lender Group,
each Borrower's labels,  patents,  copyrights,  rights of use of any name, trade
secrets, trade names, trademarks,  service marks, and advertising matter, or any
property  of  a  similar  nature,  as  it  pertains  to  the  Personal  Property
Collateral,  in completing  production of, advertising for sale, and selling any
Personal  Property  Collateral and each Borrower's rights under all licenses and
all franchise agreements shall inure to Lender Group's benefit;

                           (j)      Sell the Personal Property Collateral at
either a public or private  sale,  or both,  by way of one or more  contracts or
transactions, for cash or on terms, in such manner and at such places (including
any Borrower's premises) as Agent determines is commercially  reasonable.  It is
not necessary that the Personal Property Collateral be present at any such sale;

                           (k)      Agent shall give notice of the disposition
of the Personal Property Collateral as follows:

                                    (1)     Agent shall give the Borrower with
rights in the  applicable  Personal  Property  Collateral  and each  holder of a
security interest in the Personal Property Collateral who has filed with Agent a
written request for notice,  a notice in writing of the time and place of public
sale, or, if the sale is a private sale or some other  disposition  other than a
public sale is to be made of the Personal Property Collateral,  then the time on
or after which the private sale or other disposition is to be made;

                                    (2)     The notice shall be personally
delivered  or  mailed,  postage  prepaid,  to the  Borrower  with  rights in the
applicable  Personal  Property  Collateral as provided in Section 12, at least 5
days  before the date fixed for the sale,  or at least 5 days before the date on
or after which the private sale or other  disposition  is to be made;  no notice
needs to be given  prior  to the  disposition  of any  portion  of the  Personal
Property Collateral that is perishable or threatens to decline speedily in value
or that is of a type customarily sold on a recognized market.

                                      -71-
<PAGE>

Notice to Persons other than the Borrower with rights in the applicable Personal
Property  Collateral  shall be sent to such  addresses as they have furnished to
Agent;

                           (l)      Agent may credit bid and purchase at any
public sale;

                           (m)      The Lender Group shall have all other rights
and  remedies  available  to it at law or in equity  pursuant  to any other Loan
Documents; and

                           (n)      Any deficiency that exists after disposition
of the Personal  Property  Collateral as provided above will be paid immediately
by Borrowers.  Any excess will be returned,  without interest and subject to the
rights of third Persons, by Agent to Borrowers.

                  9.2     Assignment of Claims Act Notices.   At such time as an
Event of Default has  occurred  and is  continuing,  the Agent may file with the
applicable  Account Debtor and with any other required Persons any Assignment of
Claims Act Notice delivered to Agent in accordance with this Agreement.

                  9.3     Remedies Cumulative.   Lender Group's rights and
remedies under this  Agreement,  the Loan  Documents,  and all other  agreements
shall be  cumulative.  Lender Group shall have all other rights and remedies not
inconsistent  herewith as  provided  under the Code,  by law,  or in equity.  No
exercise by Lender Group of one right or remedy shall be deemed an election, and
no waiver by Lender  Group of any Event of Default  shall be deemed a continuing
waiver.  No delay by  Lender  Group  shall  constitute  a waiver,  election,  or
acquiescence by it.

         10.      TAXES AND EXPENSES.

                  If any  Borrower  fails  to pay  any  monies  (whether  taxes,
assessments, insurance premiums, or, in the case of leased properties or assets,
rents or other amounts payable under such leases) due to third Persons, or fails
to make any deposits or furnish any required proof of payment or deposit, all as
required  under the terms of this  Agreement,  then,  to the  extent  that Agent
reasonably  determines  that such  failure by such  Borrower  could  result in a
Material  Adverse  Change,  in  its  discretion  and  without  prior  notice  to
Borrowers,  Agent for the  benefit of the Lender  Group may do any or all of the
following:  (a) make  payment of the same or any part  thereof;  (b) set up such
reserves in  Borrowers'  Loan  Account as Agent deems  necessary  to protect the
Lender  Group  from the  exposure  created  by such  failure;  or (c) obtain and
maintain  insurance policies of the type described in Section 6.10, and take any
action with respect to such  policies as Agent deems  prudent.  Any such amounts
paid by Agent shall constitute Lender Group Expenses.  Any such payments made by
Lender Group shall not  constitute  an agreement by Lender Group to make similar
payments in the future or a waiver by Lender Group of any Event of Default under
this  Agreement.  Agent need not inquire as to, or contest the  validity of, any
such expense,  tax, or Lien and the receipt of the usual official notice for the
payment  thereof shall be conclusive  evidence that the same was validly due and
owing.

         11.      WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION.

                  11.1  Demand;  Protest;  etc.   Each Borrower  waives  demand,
protest, notice of protest, notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and
nonpayment, nonpayment at

                                      -72-
<PAGE>


maturity, release,  compromise,  settlement,  extension, or renewal of accounts,
documents, instruments, chattel paper, and guarantees at any time held by Lender
Group on which any Borrower may in any way be liable.

                  11.2  Lender  Group's  Liability  for  Collateral.  So long as
Lender Group complies with its  obligations,  if any, under Section 9-207 of the
Code,  Lender Group shall not in any way or manner be liable or responsible for:
(a) the safekeeping of the Collateral;  (b) any loss or damage thereto occurring
or arising in any manner or fashion from any cause;  (c) any  diminution  in the
value thereof; or (d) any act or default of any carrier,  warehouseman,  bailee,
forwarding  agency, or other Person. All risk of loss, damage, or destruction of
the Collateral shall be borne by Borrowers.

                  11.3   Indemnification.  Each Borrower shall pay, indemnify,
defend, and hold each Agent-Related  Person,  each  Lender-Related  Person, each
Lender,  each  Participant,  and each of their respective  officers,  directors,
employees,   counsel,  agents,  and  attorneys-in-fact  (each,  an  "Indemnified
Person")  harmless (to the fullest extent permitted by law) from and against any
and all  claims,  demands,  suits,  actions,  investigations,  proceedings,  and
damages, and all reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements and other costs and
expenses  actually  incurred  in  connection  therewith  (as and  when  they are
incurred and  irrespective  of whether suit is  brought),  at any time  asserted
against,  imposed upon,  or incurred by any of them in  connection  with or as a
result of or related to the execution, delivery,  enforcement,  performance, and
administration   of  this   Agreement  and  any  other  Loan  Documents  or  the
transactions  contemplated  herein,  and  with  respect  to  any  investigation,
litigation, or proceeding related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or
the use of the  proceeds  of the  credit  provided  hereunder  (irrespective  of
whether any Indemnified Person is a party thereto), or any act, omission,  event
or circumstance in any manner related thereto (all the foregoing,  collectively,
the "Indemnified  Liabilities").  Borrowers shall not have any obligation to any
Indemnified  Person  under this  Section  11.3 with  respect to any  Indemnified
Liability  that a court of competent  jurisdiction  finally  determines  to have
resulted  from the gross  negligence or willful  misconduct of such  Indemnified
Person.  This provision  shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the
repayment of the Obligations.

         12.      NOTICES.

                  Unless  otherwise  provided in this Agreement,  all notices or
demands by any party relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall
be in writing and  (except  for  financial  statements  and other  informational
documents  which may be sent by  first-class  mail,  postage  prepaid)  shall be
personally  delivered or sent by registered or certified mail (postage  prepaid,
return receipt requested), overnight courier, or telefacsimile to Administrative
Borrower or to Agent, as the case may be, at its address set forth below:

                  If to a Loan Party
                  or Administrative
                  Borrower:           c/o GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                          1579 Straits Turnpike
                                          Middlebury, Connecticut  06762
                                          Attn:  Mr. Dennis Nesler, Treasurer
                                          Fax No. 203-598-7133

                  with copies to:         WEISMAN CELLER SPETT & MODLIN, P.C.
                                          445 Park Avenue
                                          New York, NY 10022
                                          Attn: Howard Modlin, Esq.
                                          Fax No. 212-371-5407

                  If to Agent:            FOOTHILL CAPITAL CORPORATION
                                          11111 Santa Monica Boulevard
                                          Suite 1500
                                          Los Angeles, California  90025-3333
                                          Attn:  Business Finance Division Mgr.
                                          Fax No.  310-478-9788

                  with copies to:         SCHULTE ROTH & ZABEL LLP
                                          900 Third Avenue
                                          New York, New York 10022
                                          Attn:  Frederic L. Ragucci, Esq.
                                          Fax No. 212-593-5955

                  The parties hereto may change the address at which they are to
receive notices hereunder, by notice in writing in the foregoing manner given to
the other. All notices or demands sent in accordance with this Section 12, other
than notices by Agent in connection  with  Sections  9-504 or 9-505 of the Code,
shall be deemed  received on the earlier of the date of actual receipt or 3 days
after the deposit  thereof in the mail.  Each Borrower  acknowledges  and agrees
that notices sent by Agent in  connection  with  Sections  9-504 or 9-505 of the
Code shall be deemed sent when  deposited in the mail or  personally  delivered,
or, where permitted by law,  transmitted  telefacsimile  or other similar method
set forth above.

         13.      CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER.

                  THE VALIDITY OF THIS  AGREEMENT  AND THE OTHER LOAN  DOCUMENTS
(UNLESS AND TO THE EXTENT  EXPRESSLY  PROVIDED TO THE  CONTRARY IN ANOTHER  LOAN
DOCUMENT), THE CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF AND THEREOF,
AND THE RIGHTS OF THE  PARTIES  HERETO AND THERETO  WITH  RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS
ARISING HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO OR THERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED
UNDER,  GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED

                                      -74-
<PAGE>

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL
ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS  ARISING IN CONNECTION  WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER
LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS
LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK,  STATE OF NEW YORK OR, AT THE SOLE  OPTION OF
AGENT,  IN ANY OTHER  COURT IN WHICH  AGENT SHALL  INITIATE  LEGAL OR  EQUITABLE
PROCEEDINGS  AND  WHICH  HAS  SUBJECT  MATTER  JURISDICTION  OVER THE  MATTER IN
CONTROVERSY.  EACH  BORROWER,  AGENT  AND  EACH  LENDER  WAIVES,  TO THE  EXTENT
PERMITTED  UNDER  APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE
OF FORUM NON  CONVENIENS  OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY  PROCEEDING IS
BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 13. EACH BORROWER, AGENT AND EACH LENDER
HEREBY  WAIVE THEIR  RESPECTIVE  RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF
ACTION  BASED UPON OR  ARISING  OUT OF ANY OF THE LOAN  DOCUMENTS  OR ANY OF THE
TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED  THEREIN,  INCLUDING  CONTRACT  CLAIMS,  TORT CLAIMS,
BREACH OF DUTY  CLAIMS,  AND ALL OTHER  COMMON  LAW OR  STATUTORY  CLAIMS.  EACH
BORROWER,  AGENT AND EACH LENDER REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND
EACH  KNOWINGLY  AND  VOLUNTARILY   WAIVES  ITS  JURY  TRIAL  RIGHTS   FOLLOWING
CONSULTATION  WITH LEGAL  COUNSEL.  IN THE EVENT OF  LITIGATION,  A COPY OF THIS
AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

         14.      DESTRUCTION OF BORROWER'S DOCUMENTS.

                  All documents (excluding  Negotiable  Collateral),  schedules,
invoices,  agings,  or other  papers  delivered  to Agent  may be  destroyed  or
otherwise  disposed of by Agent 4 months after they are delivered to or received
by Agent, unless  Administrative  Borrower requests,  in writing,  the return of
said documents, schedules, or other papers and makes arrangements, at Borrowers'
expense, for their return.

         15.      CONVERSION.

                  15.1.  Privilege.   Subject  to  the  further provisions of
this Section 15.1,  the holder of the Term B Loan (the "Term B Loan Lender") may
make one or more  elections  to convert up to an  aggregate of $3 million of the
principal  amount  of the  Term  B  Loan,  at  any  time  or  from  time-to-time
outstanding,  into Common Stock at a price equal to the then  Conversion  Price.
The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Term B Loan
shall be  determined  by  dividing  the amount of the Term B Loan  elected to be
converted  by the Term B Loan Lender by the then  Conversion  Price.  The Term B
Loan Lender  shall be entitled to the rights of a holder of Common Stock only to
the extent that the Term B Loan Lender has  exercised  its  privilege to convert
Term B Loan into Common Stock.

                  15.2.  Procedure. To convert the portion of the Term B Loan,
the Term B Loan Lender shall (a) furnish on the Conversion Date a written notice
of its election to convert such

                                      -75-

<PAGE>

portion  of the Term B Loan as it may  designate  in such  written  notice  (the
"Conversion  Amount")  to the  Parent  and  (b)  surrender  the  note  (if  any)
evidencing the Term B Loan to the Parent in exchange for a new note in an amount
equal to the difference between (i) the then outstanding principal amount of the
Term B Loan and (ii) the  Conversion  Amount  plus the  aggregate  amount of any
prior  Conversion  Amounts.  The date on which the Term B Loan Lender  satisfies
such  requirements is the  "Conversion  Date." Within ten days of the Conversion
Date,  the Parent shall deliver to the Term B Loan Lender a certificate  for the
number of whole shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion.  The person
in whose name the certificate is registered  shall be deemed to be a shareholder
of record on the Conversion Date.

                  15.3.    Fractional Shares.  The Parent will not issue
fractional shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Term B Loan. The number
of shares of Common  Stock to be issued  shall be  rounded  down to the  nearest
whole number.

                  15.4.    Taxes on Conversion.  If the Term B Loan Lender
converts the Term B Loan, the Parent shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar
issue or  transfer  tax due on the issue of shares  of  Common  Stock  upon such
conversion.

                  15.5.    Parent to Provide Stock.  (a)  The Parent shall from
and after the date hereof  reserve,  out of its authorized  but unissued  Common
Stock, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock to permit the conversion of
up to $3 million of the Term B Loan into shares of Common Stock.

                           (b)      All shares of Common Stock  delivered upon
conversion of the Term B Loan shall be newly issued  shares or treasury  shares,
shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and shall
be free from preemptive rights and free of any lien or adverse claim.

                           (c)      The Parent will endeavor promptly to comply
with all federal and state  securities laws regulating the offer and delivery of
shares of Common  Stock upon  conversion  of the Term B Loan,  if any,  and will
comply with the terms and provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement.

                  15.6.    Adjustment of Conversion Price.   The Conversion
Price shall be adjusted from time to time by the Parent as follows:

                           (a)      In case the Parent shall (i) pay a dividend
in  shares  of  Common  Stock  to all  holders  of  Common  Stock,  (ii)  make a
distribution  in shares of Common  Stock to all holders of Common  Stock,  (iii)
subdivide its outstanding  Common Stock into a greater number of shares, or (iv)
combine  its  outstanding  Common  Stock into a smaller  number of  shares,  the
Conversion Price in effect  immediately  prior thereto shall be adjusted so that
the Term B Loan Lender  shall be  entitled  to receive  that number of shares of
Common  Stock  which it would  have  owned  had the Term B Loan  been  converted
immediately prior to the happening of such event. An adjustment made pursuant to
this subsection (a) shall become effective  immediately after the record date in
the case of a dividend  in shares or  distribution  and shall  become  effective
immediately after the effective date in the case of subdivision or combination.

                                      -76-
<PAGE>

                           (b)      In case the Parent shall issue rights or
warrants to all or substantially  all holders of its Common Stock entitling them
(for a period  commencing  no earlier than the record date  described  below and
expiring  not more than 90 days  after such  record  date) to  subscribe  for or
purchase shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into Common Stock) at
a price per share less than the current  market  price per share of Common Stock
(as  determined in accordance  with  subsection (e) of this Section 15.6) at the
record date for the  determination  of  shareholders  entitled  to receive  such
rights or warrants,  the Conversion  Price in effect  immediately  prior thereto
shall  be  adjusted  so that  the same  shall  equal  the  price  determined  by
multiplying the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such record date
by a  fraction  of which the  numerator  shall be the number of shares of Common
Stock  outstanding  on such  record  date,  plus the number of shares  which the
aggregate  offering  price of the total  number  of  shares  of Common  Stock so
offered (or the  aggregate  Conversion  Price of the  convertible  securities so
offered)  would  purchase  at  such  current  market  price,  and of  which  the
denominator  shall be the number of shares of Common Stock  outstanding  on such
record date plus the number of  additional  shares of Common  Stock  offered (or
into  which  the  convertible  securities  so  offered  are  convertible).  Such
adjustment shall be made  successively  whenever any such rights or warrants are
issued, and shall become effective immediately after such record date. If at the
end of the period during which such rights or warrants are  exercisable  not all
rights or warrants  shall have been  exercised,  the adjusted  Conversion  Price
shall be immediately readjusted to what it would have been based upon the number
of additional shares of Common Stock actually issued (or the number of shares of
Common  Stock  issuable  upon  conversion  of  convertible  securities  actually
issued).

                           (c)      In case the Parent shall distribute to all
or substantially  all holders of its Common Stock any shares of capital stock of
the Parent  (other  than  Common  Stock),  evidences  of  indebtedness  or other
non-cash assets (including  securities of any company other than the Parent), or
shall distribute to all or substantially  all holders of its Common Stock rights
or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any of its securities  (excluding those
referred to in  subsection  (b) of this Section 15.6)  ("Rights"),  then in each
such case the  Conversion  Price  shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal
the price determined by multiplying the Conversion  Price in effect  immediately
prior to the date of such  distribution  by a  fraction  of which the  numerator
shall be the current  market  price per share (as defined in  subsection  (e) of
this Section 15.6) of the Common Stock on the record date  mentioned  below less
the  fair  market  value on such  record  date (as  determined  by the  Board of
Directors of the Parent,  whose  determination  shall be conclusive  evidence of
such  fair  market  value)  of the  portion  of the  capital  stock or assets or
evidences  of  indebtedness  so  distributed  or  of  such  rights  or  warrants
applicable to one share of Common Stock  (determined  on the basis of the number
of shares of Common  Stock  outstanding  on the record  date),  and of which the
denominator  shall  be the  current  market  price  per  share  (as  defined  in
subsection  (e) of this  Section  15.6) of the Common Stock on such record date.
Such adjustment shall become effective immediately after the record date for the
determination   of   shareholders   entitled  to  receive   such   distribution.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  in the event that the Parent shall  distribute
Rights (other than those referred to in subsection (b) of this Section 15.6) pro
rata to  holders  of  Common  Stock,  the  Parent  may,  in lieu of  making  any
adjustment pursuant to this Section 15.6, make proper provision so that the Term
B Loan  Lender  upon  conversion  of the Note  after  the  record  date for such
distribution  and prior to the  expiration

                                      -77-
<PAGE>

or redemption  of the Rights shall be entitled to receive upon such  conversion,
in addition to the shares of Common Stock  issuable  upon such  conversion  (the
"Conversion  Shares"),  a number of Rights to be determined  as follows:  (i) if
such  conversion  occurs  on or prior to the  date for the  distribution  to the
holders  of  Rights  of  separate  certificates   evidencing  such  Rights  (the
"Distribution  Date"), the same number of Rights to which the Term B Loan Lender
of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of  Conversion  Shares
is  entitled at the time of such  conversion  in  accordance  with the terms and
provisions of and  applicable to the Rights and (ii) if such  conversion  occurs
after the Distribution  Date, the same number of Rights to which the Term B Loan
Lender  of the  number of shares of  Common  Stock  into  which the  outstanding
principal  amount  of the Term B Loan  together  with  all  accrued  and  unpaid
interest  thereon  so  converted  was  convertible   immediately  prior  to  the
Distribution  Date  would  have  been  entitled  on  the  Distribution  Date  in
accordance with the terms and provisions of and applicable to the Rights.

                           (d)      In case the Parent shall, by dividend or
otherwise,  at any  time  distribute  (a  "Triggering  Distribution")  to all or
substantially  all holders of its Common Stock cash in an aggregate amount that,
together with the  aggregate  amount of any other cash  distributions  to all or
substantially  all  holders  of its  Common  Stock  made  within  the 12  months
preceding the date of payment of the Triggering  Distribution  and in respect of
which no  Conversion  Price  adjustment  pursuant to this  Section 15.6 has been
made, exceeds 50% of the product of the current market price per share of Common
Stock (as determined in accordance  with subsection (e) of this Section 15.6) on
the Business Day (the  "Determination  Date")  immediately  preceding the day on
which such Triggering  Distribution is declared by the Parent  multiplied by the
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such date (excluding shares held
in the Treasury of the Parent),  the  Conversion  Price shall be reduced so that
the same shall equal the price  determined by multiplying  such Conversion Price
in effect immediately prior to the Determination Date by a fraction of which the
numerator  shall be the current  market  price per share of the Common Stock (as
determined  in  accordance  with  subsection  (e) of this  Section  15.6) on the
Determination  Date less the amount of cash so distributed within such 12 months
(including,  without limitation,  the Triggering Distribution) applicable to one
share of Common Stock (determined on the basis of the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding on the  Determination  Date) and the denominator shall be such
current  market price per share of the Common Stock (as determined in accordance
with  subsection  (e) of this  Section  15.6) on the  Determination  Date,  such
reduction to become  effective  immediately  prior to the opening of business on
the day following the date on which the Triggering Distribution is paid.

                           (e)      For the purpose of any computation under
subsections  (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 15.6, the current market price per
share of Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily
closing  prices for the 30 consecutive  Trading Days  commencing 35 Trading Days
before (i) the Determination Date with respect to distributions under subsection
(d) of this Section 15.6 or (ii) the record date with respect to  distributions,
issuances or other events requiring such computation under subsection (b) or (c)
of this Section 15.6.  The closing price for each day shall be the last reported
sales  price or, in case no such  reported  sale takes  place on such date,  the
average of the  reported  closing bid and asked prices in either case on the New
York Stock Exchange or, if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading
on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal national securities exchange on
which the Common  Stock is listed or  admitted  to trading  or, if not listed or
admitted to trading on

                                      -78-
<PAGE>

any national securities exchange, the closing sales price of the Common Stock as
quoted by NASDAQ or, in case no reported  sales takes place,  the average of the
closing bid and asked prices as quoted by NASDAQ or any comparable system or, if
the Common Stock is not quoted on NASDAQ or any comparable  system,  the closing
sales price or, in case no reported sale takes place, the average of the closing
bid  and  asked  prices,  as  furnished  by any  two  members  of  the  National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. selected from time to time by the Parent
for that purpose. If no such prices are available,  the current market price per
share shall be the fair value of a share of Common  Stock as  determined  by the
Board of Directors of the Parent.

                  15.7.    Notice of Adjustment.  Whenever the Conversion Price
is adjusted,  the Parent shall  promptly mail to the Term B Loan Lender a notice
of the  adjustment  briefly  stating the facts  requiring the adjustment and the
manner of computing it.

                  15.8     Notice of Certain Transactions. In the event that:

                           (1)      the Parent proposes to take any action which
would require an adjustment in the Conversion Price;

                           (2)      the Parent enters into any agreement for its
consolidation  or merger with,  or transfer of all or  substantially  all of its
assets to, another  corporation and  shareholders of the Parent must approve the
transaction; or

                           (3)      there is a proposal for the dissolution or
liquidation  of the Parent,  then,  in each case,  the Parent shall at least ten
days  before  such date,  mail to the Term B Loan  Lender a notice  stating  the
proposed effective date.

                  15.9.  Effect of  Reclassification,  Consolidation,  Merger or
Sale on Conversion  Privilege.  If any of the following shall occur, namely: (a)
any reclassification or change of shares of Common Stock (other than a change in
par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value,
or as a result of a subdivision or combination, or any other change for which an
adjustment is specifically  provided in Section 15.6); (b) any  consolidation or
merger to which the Parent is a party other than a merger in which the Parent is
the continuing corporation and which does not result in any reclassification of,
or change (other than a change in name, or in par value, or from par value to no
par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of a subdivision or
combination)  in,  outstanding  shares  of  Common  Stock;  or (c)  any  sale or
conveyance  of  all or  substantially  all of the  assets  of the  Parent  as an
entirety, then the Parent, or such successor or purchasing  corporation,  as the
case may be, shall, as a condition precedent to such  reclassification,  change,
consolidation,  merger,  sale or  conveyance,  execute and deliver to the Term B
Loan Lender an  agreement  providing  that the Term B Loan Lender shall have the
right to convert the Term B Loan into the kind and amount of shares of stock and
other   securities  and  property   (including   cash)   receivable   upon  such
reclassification,  change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance by a holder
of the number of shares of Common Stock  issuable upon  conversion of the Term B
Loan immediately prior to such reclassification,  change, consolidation, merger,
sale  or  conveyance.  Such  agreement  shall  provide  for  adjustments  of the
Conversion  Price which shall be as nearly  equivalent as may be  practicable to
the adjustments of the Conversion  Price provided for in this Section 15. If, in
the case of any

                                      -79-
<PAGE>

such consolidation,  merger,  sale or conveyance,  the stock or other securities
and property  (including cash) receivable  thereupon by a holder of Common Stock
include shares of stock or other securities and property of a corporation  other
than the  successor  or  purchasing  corporation,  as the  case may be,  in such
consolidation,  merger,  sale or conveyance,  then such agreement  shall also be
executed by such other corporation and shall contain such additional  provisions
to protect the  interests of the Term B Loan Lender that are  comparable  to the
foregoing  provisions  set forth in Section 15. The  provisions  of this Section
15.9 shall  similarly  apply to  successive  consolidations,  mergers,  sales or
conveyances.

         16.      ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS; SUCCESSORS.

                  16.1     Assignments and Participations.

                           (a)      Any Lender may, with the written consent of
Agent,  assign and delegate to one or more  assignees  (provided that no written
consent  of Agent  shall be  required  in  connection  with any  assignment  and
delegation by a Lender to an Eligible  Transferee)  (each an "Assignee") all, or
any ratable part, of the Obligations,  the Commitments, and the other rights and
obligations of such Lender  hereunder and under the other Loan  Documents,  in a
minimum  amount of  $3,000,000  (provided  that no such minimum  amount shall be
required in the case of an Assignee that is an Affiliate of a Lender), provided,
however,  that Borrowers and Agent may continue to deal solely and directly with
such Lender in connection with the interest so assigned to an Assignee until (i)
written  notice  of  such  assignment,   together  with  payment   instructions,
addresses, and related information with respect to the Assignee, shall have been
given to Borrowers and Agent by such Lender and the  Assignee;  (ii) such Lender
and its Assignee  shall have  delivered to Borrowers and Agent a fully  executed
Assignment and Acceptance  ("Assignment  and Acceptance") in the form of Exhibit
16.1;  and (iii) other than with respect to an assignment by an existing  Lender
to any  Affiliate  of such Lender,  the assignor  Lender or Assignee has paid to
Agent for Agent's  sole and separate  account a processing  fee in the amount of
$2,500;  provided,  further,  that the written consent of the Borrowers shall be
required for an Assignment  and  Acceptance to be effective if, but only if, the
proposed  Assignee  has been a lender to a Borrower at any time during the three
years prior to the Closing Date unless the  assignor  Lender is selling all or a
substantial  portion of its loan portfolio to such proposed  Assignee,  in which
case no such  written  consent  of the  Borrowers  shall be  required.  Anything
contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the consent of Agent shall not
be required  (and payment of any fees shall not be required) if such  assignment
is in  connection  with any  merger,  consolidation,  sale,  transfer,  or other
disposition of all or any substantial  portion of the business or loan portfolio
of such Lender.

                           (b)      From and after the date that Agent notifies
the  assignor  Lender  that it has  received  a fully  executed  Assignment  and
Acceptance and payment (if applicable) of the  above-referenced  processing fee,
(i) the  Assignee  thereunder  shall be a party  hereto  and, to the extent that
rights and  obligations  hereunder  have been  assigned  to it  pursuant to such
Assignment  and  Acceptance,  shall have the rights and  obligations of a Lender
under the Loan Documents, and (ii) the assignor Lender shall, to the extent that
rights and  obligations  hereunder and under the other Loan  Documents have been
assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights
(except  with  respect  to  Section  11.3  hereof)  and  be  released  from  its

                                      -80-
<PAGE>

obligations  under  this  Agreement  (and  in  the  case  of an  Assignment  and
Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender's rights
and obligations  under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,  such Lender
shall cease to be a party hereto and thereto),  and such assignment shall effect
a novation between Borrowers and the Assignee.

                           (c)      By executing and delivering an Assignment
and  Acceptance,  the assigning  Lender  thereunder and the Assignee  thereunder
confirm to and agree with each other and the other  parties  hereto as  follows:
(1) other than as provided in such  Assignment  and  Acceptance,  such assigning
Lender makes no representation  or warranty and assumes no  responsibility  with
respect  to  any  statements,  warranties,  or  representations  made  in  or in
connection   with  this   Agreement  or  the  execution,   legality,   validity,
enforceability,  genuineness,  sufficiency,  or value of this  Agreement  or any
other Loan Document  furnished  pursuant hereto; (2) such assigning Lender makes
no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility  with respect to the
financial  condition of any Borrower or the  performance  or  observance  by any
Borrower  of any of its  obligations  under  this  Agreement  or any other  Loan
Document  furnished  pursuant  hereto;  (3) such  Assignee  confirms that it has
received  a copy of this  Agreement,  together  with such  other  documents  and
information  as it has deemed  appropriate  to make its own credit  analysis and
decision to enter into such Assignment and  Acceptance;  (4) such Assignee will,
independently  and without reliance upon Agent,  such assigning  Lender,  or any
other  Lender,  and based on such  documents  and  information  as it shall deem
appropriate at the time,  continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or
not  taking  action  under  this  Agreement;  (5)  such  Assignee  appoints  and
authorizes Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such
powers  under this  Agreement  as are  delegated  to Agent by the terms  hereof,
together with such powers as are  reasonably  incidental  thereto;  and (6) such
Assignee  agrees that it will perform in accordance  with their terms all of the
obligations which by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by
it as a Lender.

                           (d)      Immediately upon each Assignee's making its
processing fee payment under the Assignment and Acceptance, this Agreement shall
be deemed to be amended to the  extent,  but only to the  extent,  necessary  to
reflect  the  addition  of the  Assignee  and the  resulting  adjustment  of the
Commitments  of  the  assignor  Lender  and  Assignee  arising  therefrom.   The
Commitment  allocated  to each  Assignee  shall reduce such  Commitments  of the
assigning Lender pro tanto.

                           (e)      Any Lender may at any time, with the written
consent of Agent, sell to one or more commercial banks, financial  institutions,
or other Persons not Affiliates of such Lender (a  "Participant")  participating
interests in the Obligations owing to such Lender, such Lender's Commitment, and
the other  rights  and  interests  of that  Lender  (the  "Originating  Lender")
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents  (provided that no written  consent
of Agent  shall be required in  connection  with any sale of such  participating
interests by a Lender to an Eligible  Transferee);  provided,  however, that (i)
the  Originating   Lender's   obligations  under  this  Agreement  shall  remain
unchanged,  (ii) the Originating  Lender shall remain solely responsible for the
performance  of such  obligations,  (iii)  Borrowers and Agent shall continue to
deal solely and directly  with the  Originating  Lender in  connection  with the
Originating  Lender's rights and obligations  under this Agreement and the other
Loan  Documents,  (iv)  no  Originating  Lender  shall  transfer  or  grant  any
participating  interest under which the  Participant  has the sole and exclusive

                                      -81-
<PAGE>

right to approve any  amendment  to, or any  consent or waiver with  respect to,
this Agreement or any other Loan  Document,  except to the extent such amendment
to, or consent or waiver  with  respect to this  Agreement  or of any other Loan
Document would (A) extend the final maturity date of the  Obligations  hereunder
in which  such  Participant  is  participating;  (B) reduce  the  interest  rate
applicable  to  the   Obligations   hereunder  in  which  such   Participant  is
participating;  (C)  release  all or a  material  portion of the  Collateral  or
guaranties (except to the extent expressly provided herein or in any of the Loan
Documents)  supporting the  Obligations  hereunder in which such  Participant is
participating;  (D)  postpone  the  payment  of, or reduce  the  amount  of, the
interest or fees  hereunder  in which such  Participant  is  participating;  (E)
change the amount or due dates of scheduled principal  repayments or prepayments
or premiums in respect of the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is
participating;  or (F)  subordinate  the Liens of Agent for the  benefit  of the
Lender  Group to the Liens of any other  creditor of any  Borrower;  and (v) all
amounts  payable  by  Borrowers   hereunder  shall  be  determined  as  if  such
Originating  Lender had not sold such  participation;  except  that,  if amounts
outstanding under this Agreement are due and unpaid, or shall have been declared
or shall have become due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,
each Participant  shall be deemed to have the right of set-off in respect of its
participating  interest in amounts owing under this Agreement to the same extent
as if the amount of its  participating  interest were owing  directly to it as a
Lender  under  this  Agreement.  The  rights of any  Participant  shall  only be
derivative   through  the   Originating   Lender  with  whom  such   Participant
participates  and no  Participant  shall have any direct  rights as to the other
Lenders,  Agent,  Borrowers,  the Collections,  the Collateral,  or otherwise in
respect of the Advances, the Letters of Credit or the Term Loans. No Participant
shall  have the right to  participate  directly  in the making of  decisions  by
Lenders among themselves.  The provisions of this Section 16.1(e) are solely for
the benefit of Lender  Group,  and no Borrower  shall have any rights as a third
party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

                           (f)      In connection with any such assignment or
participation  or  proposed  assignment  or  participation,  subject  to Section
18.16(d),  a Lender may disclose to a third party all documents and  information
which it now or hereafter may have relating to any Borrower's business.

                           (g)      Notwithstanding any other provision in this
Agreement,  any Lender may at any time create a security interest in, or pledge,
all or any portion of its rights under and  interest in this  Agreement in favor
of any Federal  Reserve  Bank in  accordance  with  Regulation  A of the Federal
Reserve Bank or U.S. Treasury Regulation 31 C.F.R.  ss.203.14,  and such Federal
Reserve  Bank may  enforce  such  pledge  or  security  interest  in any  manner
permitted under applicable law.

                  16.2 Successors.  This Agreement shall bind and inure to the
benefit of the respective  successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto;
provided,  however,  that no Borrower may assign this Agreement or any rights or
duties  hereunder  without  Lenders'  prior written  consent and any  prohibited
assignment  shall be absolutely  void. No consent to assignment by Lenders shall
release any Borrower from the  Obligations.  A Lender may assign this  Agreement
and the other Loan  Documents  and its rights and duties  hereunder  pursuant to
Section 16.1 and,  except as expressly  required  pursuant to Section  16.1,  no
consent or approval by any  Borrower  is  required in  connection  with any such
assignment.

                                      -82-
<PAGE>

         17.      AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS.

                  17.1  Amendments and  Waivers.  No amendment  or waiver  of
any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document,  and no consent with
respect to any departure by any Borrower  therefrom,  shall be effective  unless
the same shall be in writing  and signed by Agent and  Required  Lenders  (or by
Agent at the written  request of Required  Lenders) and  Borrower,  and then any
such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific  instance and for
the specific purpose for which given;  provided,  however,  that no such waiver,
amendment,  or consent  shall,  unless in writing  and signed by all Lenders and
each Borrower, and acknowledged by Agent, do any of the following:

                           (a)  increase or extend the Commitment of any Lender;

                           (b)  postpone  or  delay  any  date  fixed  by  this
         Agreement  or any other Loan  Document  for any  payment of  principal,
         interest,  fees,  or  other  amounts  due to  Lenders  (or any of them)
         hereunder or under any other Loan Document;

                           (c) reduce the  principal of, or the rate of interest
         specified  herein on, any Advance,  the Term Loans or any fees or other
         amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document;

                           (d) change the  percentage of the  Commitments or the
         percentage of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Obligations,
         as the case may be,  which is  required  for  Lenders or any of them to
         take any action hereunder;

                           (e)  increase  the  advance  rates  with  respect  to
         Advances (except for the restoration of an advance rate after the prior
         reduction thereof),  or change the definition of Eligible Accounts,  or
         change Section 2.1(b);

                           (f)    amend this Section 17.1 or any provision of
this Agreement providing for consent or other action by all Lenders;

                           (g)    release Collateral other than as permitted
by Section 18.11;

                           (h)    increase the sublimit for credit available
against Eligible Inventory (currently contained in clause (y) of Section 2.1(a))

                           (i)    change the definition of "Required Lenders" or
"Pro Rata Share";

                           (j)    release a Borrower or Guarantor from any
Obligation for the payment of money;

                           (k)    amend any of the provisions of Article 17 or
Section 2.1(k); or

                           (l)    subordinate the Liens of Agent for the benefit
of the  Lender  Group to the  Liens  of any  other  creditor  of a  Borrower  or
Guarantor.

                                      -83-
<PAGE>

                  and,  provided further,  that no amendment,  waiver or consent
shall,  unless in writing  and  signed by Agent,  affect the rights or duties of
Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document;  and,  provided  further,
however,  that no  amendment,  waiver or consent  shall,  unless in writing  and
signed by Foothill in its individual  capacity as a Lender,  affect the specific
rights  or  duties  of  Foothill  in its  individual  capacity  as a Lender  (as
contrasted  with rights or duties of  Foothill as a member of the Lender  Group)
under this  Agreement or any other Loan Document.  The  limitation  contained in
clause  (e) above  shall not be  deemed  to limit the  ability  of Agent to make
Advances or Agent  Advances (or elect to have Foothill  make Foothill  Loans) in
accordance with the provisions of Sections  2.1(d),  (e), (f), (g), (h), or (k).
The foregoing  notwithstanding,  any amendment,  modification,  waiver, consent,
termination, or release of or with respect to any provision of this Agreement or
any other Loan  Document that relates only to the  relationship  of Lender Group
among  themselves,  and that does not affect the  rights or  obligations  of any
Borrower, shall not require consent by or the agreement of Borrowers.

                  17.2  No   Waivers;   Cumulative   Remedies.  No failure by
Agent or any  Lender  to  exercise  any  right,  remedy,  or option  under  this
Agreement,  any other Loan Document,  or any present or future supplement hereto
or  thereto,  or in any other  agreement  between or among  Borrowers  and Agent
and/or any Lender,  or delay by Agent or any Lender in exercising the same, will
operate as a waiver thereof.  No waiver by Agent or any Lender will be effective
unless it is in writing,  and then only to the extent  specifically  stated.  No
waiver by Agent or Lenders on any occasion shall affect or diminish  Agent's and
each Lender's  rights  thereafter to require strict  performance by Borrowers of
any provision of this  Agreement.  Agent's and each  Lender's  rights under this
Agreement and the other Loan  Documents  will be cumulative and not exclusive of
any other right or remedy which Agent or any Lender may have.

         18.      AGENT; LENDER GROUP.

                  18.1   Appointment and  Authorization  of Agent.   Each Lender
hereby  designates  and appoints  Foothill as its Agent under this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents. Each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes the Agent to
take such action on its behalf under the  provisions of this  Agreement and each
other Loan  Document and to exercise  such powers and perform such duties as are
expressly  delegated  to it by the terms of this  Agreement  or any  other  Loan
Document,  together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Agent
agrees to act as such on the express  conditions  contained  in this Article 18.
The  provisions  of this  Article  18 are  solely  for the  benefit of Agent and
Lenders,  and  the  Borrowers  shall  not  have  any  rights  as a  third  party
beneficiary of any of the provisions contained herein;  provided,  however, that
the  provisions  of Sections  18.10,  18.11,  and 18.16(d) also shall be for the
benefit of Borrowers.  Any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this
Agreement or in any other Loan  Document  notwithstanding,  Agent shall not have
any duties or  responsibilities,  except those  expressly set forth herein,  nor
shall  Agent  have or be  deemed  to have any  fiduciary  relationship  with any
Lender,  and  no  implied  covenants,   functions,   responsibilities,   duties,
obligations,  or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan
Document or otherwise  exist against Agent;  it being  expressly  understood and
agreed that the use of the word "Agent" is for  convenience  only, that Foothill
is merely the representative of the Lenders, and has only the contractual duties
set forth  herein.  Except as expressly  otherwise  provided in this  Agreement,
Agent shall have and may use its sole  discretion  with respect to exercising or

                                      -84-

<PAGE>

refraining from exercising any discretionary rights or taking or refraining from
taking any actions which Agent is expressly  entitled to take or assert under or
pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan  Documents,  including  making the
determinations  contemplated by Section 2.1(b).  Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing,  or of any other provision of the Loan Documents that provides
rights or powers to Agent,  Lenders  agree  that  Agent  shall have the right to
exercise the following powers and to delegate the exercise of any such powers to
any  sub-agent  of  Agent  as long as this  Agreement  remains  in  effect:  (a)
maintain,  in accordance  with its  customary  business  practices,  ledgers and
records  reflecting the status of the Advances,  the Term Loans,  the Letters of
Credit,  the other  Obligations,  the Collateral,  the Collections,  and related
matters;  (b) execute and/or file any and all financing or similar statements or
notices, amendments,  renewals, supplements,  documents,  instruments, proofs of
claim for Lenders, notices and other written agreements with respect to the Loan
Documents;  (c) make Advances,  the Letters of Credit,  and the Term Loans,  for
itself or on behalf of Lenders as provided in the Loan  Documents;  (d) receive,
apply,  and distribute the  Collections as provided in the Loan  Documents;  (e)
open and maintain such bank accounts and lock boxes as Agent deems necessary and
appropriate  in accordance  with the Loan  Documents for the foregoing  purposes
with respect to the Collateral and the Collections;  (f) perform,  exercise, and
enforce any and all other  rights and  remedies of Lender  Group with respect to
Borrowers,  the Advances, the Term Loans, the other Obligations,  the Letters of
Credit, the Collateral, the Collections,  or otherwise related to any of same as
provided in the Loan Documents; and (g) incur and pay such Lender Group Expenses
as Agent may deem necessary or appropriate  for the  performance and fulfillment
of its functions and powers pursuant to the Loan Documents.

                  18.2   Delegation of Duties. Except as otherwise  provided in
this Section 18.2,  Agent may execute any of its duties under this  Agreement or
any other Loan Document by or through agents,  employees,  or  attorneys-in-fact
and shall be entitled to advice of counsel  concerning all matters pertaining to
such duties.  Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of
any agent or attorney-in-fact that it selects as long as such selection was made
in  compliance  with this Section 18.2 and without  gross  negligence or willful
misconduct.

                  18.3  Liability  of  Agent-Related  Persons. None of
Agent-Related  Persons shall (i) be liable for any action taken or omitted to be
taken by any of them under or in  connection  with this  Agreement  or any other
Loan Document or the transactions  contemplated hereby (except for its own gross
negligence or willful misconduct),  or, (ii) be responsible in any manner to any
of Lenders for any recital,  statement,  representation  or warranty made by any
Borrower,  or any  Subsidiary  or Affiliate of any  Borrower,  or any officer or
director thereof,  contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, or
in any certificate, report, statement, or other document referred to or provided
for in, or received by any Agent under or in connection  with, this Agreement or
any  other  Loan  Document,   or  the  validity,   effectiveness,   genuineness,
enforceability  or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document,  or
for any failure of a Borrower or any other party to any Loan Document to perform
its obligations hereunder or thereunder.  No Agent-Related Person shall be under
any  obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or
performance  of any of the  agreements  contained  in, or  conditions  of,  this
Agreement or any other Loan Document,  or to inspect the  properties,  books, or
records of a Borrower, or of a Borrower's Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

                                      -85-
<PAGE>

                  18.4  Reliance by Agent.  Agent shall be entitled to rely, and
shall be fully  protected  in relying,  upon any  writing,  resolution,  notice,
consent,   certificate,   affidavit,  letter,  telegram,  facsimile,  telex,  or
telephone message, statement or other document or conversation believed by it to
be genuine  and  correct and to have been  signed,  sent,  or made by the proper
Person or Persons,  and upon advice and  statements of legal counsel  (including
counsel to  Borrowers or counsel to any Lender),  independent  accountants,  and
other experts  selected by Agent.  Agent shall be fully  justified in failing or
refusing  to take any action  under this  Agreement  or any other Loan  Document
unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of Required  Lenders or
all Lenders,  as applicable,  and until such  instructions  are received,  Agent
shall act, or refrain from acting, as it deems advisable.  If Agent so requests,
it shall first be indemnified to its reasonable  satisfaction by Lenders against
any and all  liability  and  expense  which may be  incurred  by it by reason of
taking or continuing to take any such action.  Agent shall in all cases be fully
protected in acting,  or in refraining from acting,  under this Agreement or any
other Loan Document in accordance with a request or consent of Required  Lenders
or all Lenders, as applicable,  and such request and any action taken or failure
to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all of Lenders.

                  18.5  Notice  of  Default  or Event of  Default.  Agent shall
not be deemed to have  knowledge or notice of the  occurrence  of any Default or
Event of Default,  except with respect to defaults in the payment of  principal,
interest,  fees,  and  expenses  required to be paid to Agent for the account of
Agent or  Lenders,  except  in the case of the  Agent  with  respect  to  actual
knowledge  of the  existence  of an  Overadvance,  and  except  with  respect to
Defaults and Events of Default of which Agent has actual knowledge, unless Agent
shall have received written notice from a Lender or Borrowers  referring to this
Agreement,  describing  such Default or Event of Default,  and stating that such
notice is a "notice of  default."  Agent  promptly  will  notify  Lenders of its
receipt of any such  notice or of any Event of Default of which Agent has actual
knowledge.  If any Lender obtains actual knowledge of any Event of Default, such
Lender  promptly  shall  notify  the other  Lenders  and Agent of such  Event of
Default.  Each Lender shall be solely  responsible for giving any notices to its
Participants, if any. Subject to Section 18.4, Agent shall take such action with
respect to such  Default or Event of Default  as may be  requested  by  Required
Lenders in accordance with Section 9; provided,  however,  that unless and until
Agent has received any such  request,  Agent may (but shall not be obligated to)
take such  action,  or refrain  from taking such  action,  with  respect to such
Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable:

                           (a) At all times,  Agent may  propose  and,  with the
         consent of Required  Lenders (which shall not be unreasonably  withheld
         and which  shall be deemed to have been given by a Lender  unless  such
         Lender has notified  Agent to the contrary in writing  within three (3)
         days of  notification  of such proposed  actions by Agent) exercise any
         remedies on behalf of Lender Group; and

                           (b) At all times,  once Agent and Required Lenders or
         all  Lenders,  as the case may be,  have  approved  the  exercise  of a
         particular  remedy or  pursuit of a course of  action,  Agent may,  but
         shall  not be  obligated  to,  make  all  administrative  decisions  in
         connection  therewith or take all other actions  reasonably  incidental
         thereto (for example,  if Required  Lenders  approve the foreclosure of
         certain Collateral, Agent shall not be

                                      -86-
<PAGE>

         required to seek consent for the administrative  aspects of conducting
         such sale or  handling  of such Collateral).

                  18.6  Credit   Decision.   Each  Lender acknowledges that none
of Agent-Related Persons has made any representation or warranty to it, and that
no act by Agent hereinafter  taken,  including any review of the affairs of each
Borrower  and its  respective  Subsidiaries  or  Affiliates,  shall be deemed to
constitute any  representation  or warranty by any  Agent-Related  Person to any
Lender.  Each Lender represents to Agent that it has,  independently and without
reliance  upon  any  Agent-Related  Person  and  based  on  such  documents  and
information  as it  has  deemed  appropriate,  made  its  own  appraisal  of and
investigation into the business, prospects,  operations, property, financial and
other  condition,  and  creditworthiness  of any  Borrower  and any other Person
(other than Lender  Group) party to a Loan  Document,  and all  applicable  bank
regulatory laws relating to the transactions  contemplated  hereby, and made its
own decision to enter into this  Agreement  and to extend  credit to  Borrowers.
Each Lender also represents  that it will,  independently  and without  reliance
upon any Agent-Related  Person and based on such documents and information as it
shall deem  appropriate at the time,  continue to make its own credit  analysis,
appraisals,  and decisions in taking or not taking  action under this  Agreement
and the  other  Loan  Documents,  and to make  such  investigations  as it deems
necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects,  operations, property,
financial and other condition,  and  creditworthiness  of any Borrower,  and any
other  Person  (other than Lender  Group) party to a Loan  Document.  Except for
notices,  reports, and other documents expressly herein required to be furnished
to Lenders by Agent,  Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide
any  Lender  with any  credit  or other  information  concerning  the  business,
prospects,   operations,   property,   financial   and   other   condition,   or
creditworthiness of any Borrower,  and any other Person party to a Loan Document
that may come into the possession of any of Agent-Related Persons.

                  18.7  Costs  and  Expenses;   Indemnification.  Agent may
incur and pay  Lender  Group  Expenses  to the  extent  Agent  deems  reasonably
necessary or appropriate  for the  performance and fulfillment of its functions,
powers,  and  obligations  pursuant to the Loan  Documents,  including,  without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, but subject to any requirements of the
Loan Documents that it obtain any applicable  consents or engage in any required
consultation,  court costs,  reasonable  attorneys  fees and expenses,  costs of
collection  by outside  collection  agencies  and  auctioneer  fees and costs of
security guards or insurance  premiums paid to maintain the Collateral,  whether
or not Borrowers  are obligated to reimburse  Agent or Lenders for such expenses
pursuant to the Loan Agreement or otherwise. Agent is authorized and directed to
deduct and retain  sufficient  amounts from  Collections to reimburse  Agent for
such  out-of-pocket  costs and expenses prior to the distribution of any amounts
to Lenders.  In the event Agent is not  reimbursed  for such costs and  expenses
from Collections, each Lender hereby agrees that it is and shall be obligated to
pay to or  reimburse  such Agent for the amount of such  Lender's Pro Rata Share
thereof.  Whether or not the transactions  contemplated  hereby are consummated,
Lenders shall  indemnify  upon demand  Agent-Related  Persons (to the extent not
reimbursed by or on behalf of Borrowers and without  limiting the  obligation of
Borrowers to do so),  according  to their Pro Rata Shares,  from and against any
and all  Indemnified  Liabilities;  provided,  however,  that no Lender shall be
liable  for  the  payment  to  Agent-Related  Persons  of any  portion  of  such
Indemnified Liabilities resulting solely from such Person's gross negligence, or
willful  misconduct.  Without  limitation  of the  foregoing,  each Lender shall

                                      -87-
<PAGE>

reimburse Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or  out-of-pocket
expenses  (including attorney fees and expenses) incurred by Agent in connection
with  the  preparation,   execution,  delivery,  administration,   modification,
amendment,  or enforcement (whether through  negotiations,  legal proceedings or
otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or  responsibilities  under,
this  Agreement,  any other Loan Document,  or any document  contemplated  by or
referred to herein, to the extent that Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses
by or on behalf of Borrowers. The undertaking in this Section 18.7 shall survive
the payment of all  Obligations  hereunder and the resignation or replacement of
Agent.

                  18.8  Agent in  Individual  Capacity.  Foothill and its
Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept
deposits from, acquire equity interests,  in and generally engage in any kind of
banking,  lending,  trust, financial advisory,  underwriting,  or other business
with any Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and any other Person party
to any Loan  Documents as though  Foothill were not Agent  hereunder and without
notice to or consent of  Lenders.  Lenders  acknowledge  that,  pursuant to such
activities,  Foothill and its  Affiliates  may receive  information  regarding a
Borrower and its Affiliates and any other Person (other than Lender Group) party
to any Loan Documents that is subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of
such  Borrower or such other  Person and that  prohibit the  disclosure  of such
information to Lenders, and Lenders acknowledge that, in such circumstances (and
in the absence of a waiver of such  confidentiality  obligations,  which  waiver
Agent will use its reasonable  best efforts to obtain),  Agent shall be under no
obligation to provide such  information to them. With respect to Agent Advances,
Foothill shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other
Lender  and may  exercise  the same as though it were not  Agent,  and the terms
"Lender" and "Lenders" include Foothill in its individual capacity. With respect
to Foothill Loans, Agent, in its individual  capacity,  shall, if it is a Lender
hereunder,  have the same rights and powers  under this  Agreement  as any other
Lender  and may  exercise  the same as though it were not  Agent,  and the terms
"Lender" and "Lenders"  shall,  in such case,  include  Agent in its  individual
capacity.

                  18.9  Successor  Agent.  Agent may resign as Agent  following
notice  of  such  resignation  ("Notice")  to the  Lenders  and  Borrowers,  and
effective  upon the  appointment  of and  acceptance of such  appointment  by, a
successor  Agent. If Agent resigns under this Agreement,  Required Lenders shall
appoint any Lender as  successor  Agent for Lenders.  If no  successor  Agent is
appointed within thirty (30) days of such retiring Agent's Notice, the resigning
Agent  may  appoint  a  successor  Agent,  after  consulting  with  Lenders  and
Borrowers.  In any  such  event,  upon  the  acceptance  of its  appointment  as
successor Agent hereunder, such successor Agent shall succeed to all the rights,
powers and duties of the  retiring  Agent and the term  "Agent"  shall mean such
successor  Agent and the retiring  Agent's  appointment,  powers,  and duties as
Agent shall be terminated.  After any retiring Agent's resignation  hereunder as
Agent,  the  provisions  of this Section 18 shall inure to its benefit as to any
actions  taken or  omitted  to be taken by it  while  it was  Agent  under  this
Agreement.

                  18.10    Withholding Tax.

                           (a)      If any Lender is a "foreign corporation,
partnership  or trust"  within  the  meaning of the IRC and such  Lender  claims
exemption  from, or a reduction of, U.S.

                                      -88-
<PAGE>

withholding  tax under Sections 1441 or 1442 of the IRC, such Lender agrees with
and in favor of Agent and Borrowers, to deliver to Agent and Borrowers:

                                    (i)     if such Lender claims an exemption
from,  or a  reduction  of,  withholding  tax under a United  States tax treaty,
properly  completed IRS Forms 1001 and W-8 before the payment of any interest in
the first  calendar  year and before the  payment of any  interest in each third
succeeding calendar year during which interest may be paid under this Agreement;

                                    (ii)    if such Lender claims that interest
paid under this Agreement is exempt from United States  withholding  tax because
it is  effectively  connected  with a United  States  trade or  business of such
Lender,  two properly  completed and executed copies of IRS Form 4224 before the
payment of any  interest is due in the first  taxable year of such Lender and in
each  succeeding  taxable year of such Lender during which  interest may be paid
under this Agreement, and IRS Form W-9; and

                                    (iii)   such other form or forms as may be
required  under the IRC or other laws of the  United  States as a  condition  to
exemption from, or reduction of, United States withholding tax.

Such  Lender  agrees to promptly  notify  Agent and  Borrowers  of any change in
circumstances  which would  modify or render  invalid any claimed  exemption  or
reduction.

                           (b)      If any Lender claims exemption from, or
reduction of,  withholding tax under a United States tax treaty by providing IRS
Form  1001  and such  Lender  sells,  assigns,  grants a  participation  in,  or
otherwise  transfers all or part of the  Obligations  of Borrowers,  such Lender
agrees to notify Agent and Borrowers of the percentage  amount in which it is no
longer the beneficial  owner of Obligations of Borrowers to such Lender.  To the
extent of such percentage  amount,  Agent and Borrowers will treat such Lender's
IRS Form 1001 as no longer valid.

                           (c)      If any Lender claiming exemption from United
States withholding tax by filing IRS Form 4224 with Agent sells, assigns, grants
a  participation  in, or otherwise  transfers all or part of the  Obligations of
Borrowers to such Lender,  such Lender agrees to undertake  sole  responsibility
for complying with the withholding tax requirements imposed by Sections 1441 and
1442 of the IRC.

                           (d)      If any Lender is entitled to a reduction in
the applicable  withholding tax, Agent may withhold from any interest payment to
such Lender an amount equivalent to the applicable  withholding tax after taking
into account such  reduction.  If the forms or other  documentation  required by
subsection (a) of this Section 18.10 are not delivered to Agent,  then Agent may
withhold from any interest  payment to such Lender not  providing  such forms or
other documentation an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax.

                           (e)      If the IRS or any other Governmental
Authority of the United States or other jurisdiction  asserts a claim that Agent
or a Borrower  did not  properly  withhold  tax from  amounts paid to or for the
account of any Lender (because the appropriate  form was not delivered,  was not

                                      -89-
<PAGE>

properly  executed,  or  because  such  Lender  failed to notify  Agent and such
Borrower of a change in  circumstances  which  rendered the  exemption  from, or
reduction of, withholding tax ineffective,  or for any other reason) such Lender
shall  indemnify  Agent and Borrowers  fully for all amounts  paid,  directly or
indirectly,  by Agent or Borrowers as tax or otherwise,  including penalties and
interest,  and including any taxes  imposed by any  jurisdiction  on the amounts
payable to Agent or a Borrower under this Section 18.10, together with all costs
and expenses (including attorneys fees and expenses).  The obligation of Lenders
under this  subsection  shall  survive  the payment of all  Obligations  and the
resignation of Agent.

                  18.11    Collateral Matters.

                           (a)      Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize Agent
to  release  any  Lien  on  any  Collateral  (i)  upon  the  termination  of the
Commitments and payment and satisfaction in full by or on behalf of Borrowers of
all  Obligations;  and upon such  termination and payment Agent shall deliver to
Borrowers,  at Borrowers' sole cost and expense, all UCC termination  statements
and any other  documents  necessary to terminate the Loan  Documents and release
the Liens with respect to the Collateral;  (ii) constituting property being sold
or disposed of if a release is required or desirable in connection therewith and
if each Borrower  certifies to Agent that the sale or  disposition  is permitted
under Section 7.4 of this  Agreement or the other Loan  Documents (and Agent may
rely  conclusively  on any such  certificate,  without further  inquiry);  (iii)
constituting  property in which a Borrower  does not own an interest at the time
the Lien was granted or at any time thereafter;  or (iv)  constituting  property
leased to a Borrower  under a lease that has  expired  or been  terminated  in a
transaction permitted under this Agreement. Except as provided above, Agent will
not release any Lien on any Collateral  without the prior written  authorization
of (y) if the release is of all or any material  portion of the  Collateral,  of
all Lenders or (z) otherwise,  of the Required Lenders. Upon request by Agent or
Borrowers  at any time,  Lenders will  confirm in writing  Agent's  authority to
release any such Liens on particular  types or items of  Collateral  pursuant to
this Section 18.11; provided,  however, that (i) the Agent shall not be required
to execute any  document  necessary to evidence  such release on terms that,  in
Agent's  opinion,  would expose Agent to liability or create any  obligation  or
entail any  consequence  other than the release of such Lien  without  recourse,
representation,  or  warranty,  and (ii) such  release  shall not in any  manner
discharge,  affect or impair  the  Obligations  or any Liens  (other  than those
expressly being released),  upon (or obligations of Borrowers in respect of) all
interests  retained by Borrowers,  including,  the proceeds of any sale,  all of
which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral.

                           (b)      Agent shall not have any obligation
whatsoever to any Lender to assure that the  Collateral  exists or is owned by a
Borrower,  is cared for, protected,  or insured or has been encumbered,  or that
the Liens of Agent  (for the  benefit of Lender  Group)  have been  properly  or
sufficiently  or  lawfully  created,  perfected,  protected,  or enforced or are
entitled to any particular priority,  or to exercise at all or in any particular
manner  or under  any duty of care,  disclosure,  or  fidelity,  or to  continue
exercising,  any of the rights,  authorities  and powers granted or available to
the Agent pursuant to any of the Loan Documents,  it being understood and agreed
that in  respect  of the  Collateral,  or any act,  omission  or  event  related
thereto, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, the Agent may act
in any  manner it may deem  appropriate,  absent  Agent's  gross  negligence  or
willful misconduct, in its sole discretion given the Agent's own interest in the
Collateral  in their  capacity as Lenders and that the Agent shall have no other
duty

                                      -90-
<PAGE>

or liability whatsoever to any Lender as to any of the foregoing, except as
otherwise provided herein.

                  18.12    Restrictions on Actions by Lenders; Sharing of
Payments.

                           (a)      Each of Lenders agrees that it shall not,
without the  express  consent of Agent,  and that it shall,  to the extent it is
lawfully  entitled  to do so,  upon the  request of Agent,  set off  against the
Obligations  any amounts owing by such Lender to a Borrower or any accounts of a
Borrower now or hereafter  maintained with such Lender.  Each of Lenders further
agrees that it shall not, unless specifically  requested to do so by Agent, take
or cause to be taken any  action,  including  the  commencement  of any legal or
equitable  proceedings,  to  foreclose  any Lien on, or  otherwise  enforce  any
security  interest in, any of the  Collateral  the purpose of which is, or could
be, to give such Lender any  preference  or priority  against the other  Lenders
with respect to the Collateral.

                           (b)      Subject to Section 18.8, if, at any time or
times,  any  Lender  shall  receive  (i) by  payment,  foreclosure,  setoff,  or
otherwise,  any  proceeds of  Collateral  or any  payments  with  respect to the
Obligations  arising  under,  or relating  to, this  Agreement or the other Loan
Documents, except for any such proceeds or payments received by such Lender from
Agent  pursuant to the terms of this  Agreement,  or (ii) payments from Agent in
excess of such Lender's Pro Rata Share of all such  distributions by Agent, such
Lender shall  promptly (1) turn the same over to Agent,  in kind,  and with such
endorsements  as may be required to negotiate the same to Agent,  or in same day
funds,  as applicable,  for the account of all of Lenders and for application to
the Obligations in accordance with the applicable  provisions of this Agreement,
or (2)  purchase,  without  recourse or  warranty,  an  undivided  interest  and
participation  in the Obligations  owed to the other Lenders so that such excess
payment  received shall be applied  ratably as among Lenders in accordance  with
their Pro Rata  Shares;  provided,  however,  that if all or part of such excess
payment received by the purchasing party is thereafter  recovered from it, those
purchases  of  participations  shall  be  rescinded  in  whole  or in  part,  as
applicable, and the applicable portion of the purchase price paid therefor shall
be returned to such purchasing  party, but without interest except to the extent
that such  purchasing  party is required to pay interest in connection  with the
recovery of the excess payment.

                  18.13  Agency for Perfection.   Agent and each Lender  hereby
appoints each other Lender as agent for the purpose of  perfecting  the Liens of
Lender Group in assets which,  in accordance  with Article 9 of the Code, can be
perfected  only by possession.  Should any Lender obtain  possession of any such
Collateral,  such Lender shall notify Agent thereof,  and, promptly upon Agent's
request  therefor,  shall deliver such Collateral to Agent or in accordance with
Agent's instructions.

                  18.14  Payments by Agent to  Lenders.  All payments to be made
by Agent to Lenders shall be made by bank wire transfer or internal  transfer of
immediately  available funds pursuant to the  instructions set forth on Schedule
X, or  pursuant  to such  other  wire  transfer  instructions  as each party may
designate  for itself by written  notice to Agent.  Concurrently  with each such
payment,  Agent shall  identify  whether such  payment (or any portion  thereof)
represents principal, premium or interest on revolving advances or otherwise.

                                      -91-
<PAGE>


                  18.15    Concerning    the   Collateral   and   Related   Loan
Documents.   Each member of Lender Group  authorizes  and directs Agent to enter
into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents relating to the Collateral, for
the ratable benefit of Lender Group. Each member of Lender Group agrees that any
action taken by Agent,  Required  Lenders,  or all Lenders,  as  applicable,  in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents relating
to the Collateral and the exercise by Agent,  Required Lenders,  or all Lenders,
as applicable,  of their respective powers set forth therein or herein, together
with such other powers that are reasonably incidental thereto,  shall be binding
upon all of Lenders.

                  18.16    Field Audits and Examination Reports;
Confidentiality;  Disclaimers  by Lenders;  Other  Reports and  Information.  By
signing this Agreement, each Lender:

                           (a)      is deemed to have requested that Agent
furnish such Lender,  promptly after it becomes available,  a copy of each field
audit or  examination  report  (each a  "Report"  and  collectively,  "Reports")
prepared by or at the request of Agent,  and Agent shall so furnish  each Lender
with such Reports;

                           (b)      and Agent expressly agrees and acknowledges
that neither Agent nor any other Lender (i) makes any representation or warranty
as to the accuracy of any Report,  and (ii) shall be liable for any  information
contained in any Report;

                           (c)      expressly agrees and acknowledges that the
Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations,  that Agent or other party
performing  any audit or  examination  will  inspect only  specific  information
regarding  Borrowers and will rely  significantly  upon the Books, as well as on
representations of each Borrower's personnel;

                           (d)      agrees to keep all Reports and other
material,  non-public  information regarding a Borrower and its Subsidiaries and
their  operations,  assets,  and existing and  contemplated  business plans in a
confidential manner; it being understood and agreed by the Borrowers that in any
event such Lender may make  disclosures  (i) to counsel for and other  advisors,
accountants,  and auditors to such Lender,  (ii) reasonably required by any bona
fide potential or actual Assignee, transferee, or Participant in connection with
any contemplated or actual  assignment or transfer by such Lender of an interest
herein or any participation interest in such Lender's rights hereunder, provided
that such  potential or actual  Assignee,  transferee or  Participant  agrees to
comply with this  Section  18.16(d) as if it were a Lender  hereunder,  (iii) of
information  that has become  public by  disclosures  made by Persons other than
such Lender, its Affiliates, assignees, transferees, or participants, or (iv) as
required or  requested  by any court,  governmental  or  administrative  agency,
pursuant  to any  subpoena  or other  legal  process,  or by any  law,  statute,
regulation,  or court order;  provided,  however,  that,  unless  prohibited  by
applicable law, statute,  regulation, or court order, such Lender shall promptly
notify  Borrowers of any request by any court,  governmental  or  administrative
agency, or pursuant to any subpoena or other legal process for disclosure of any
such non-public  material  information  concurrent  with, or where  practicable,
prior to the disclosure thereof; and

                           (e)      without limiting the generality of any other
indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, agrees: (i) to hold Agent
or any other Lender preparing a

                                      -92-
<PAGE>

Report harmless from any action the  indemnifying  Lender may take or conclusion
the indemnifying Lender may reach or draw from any Report in connection with any
loans or other credit  accommodations  that the indemnifying  Lender has made or
may make to Borrowers,  or the indemnifying  Lender's  participation  in, or the
indemnifying Lender's purchase of, a loan or loans to Borrowers; and (ii) to pay
and  protect,  and  indemnify,  defend,  and hold any Agent or such other Lender
preparing a Report harmless from and against, the claims, actions,  proceedings,
damages, costs, expenses and other amounts (including,  attorney costs) incurred
by Agent or such  other  Lender  preparing  a Report as the  direct or  indirect
result of any third  parties who might obtain all or part of any Report  through
the indemnifying Lender.

                  In addition to the foregoing:  (x) any Lender may from time to
time request of Agent in writing that Agent provide to such Lender a copy of any
report or document  provided by any Borrower to Agent, and, upon receipt of such
request, Agent shall provide a copy of same to such Lender promptly upon receipt
thereof;  (y) to the extent that Agent is entitled,  under any  provision of the
Loan Documents,  to request  additional  reports or information from a Borrower,
any Lender may,  from time to time,  reasonably  request  Agent to exercise such
right as specified in such Lender's  notice to Agent,  whereupon  Agent promptly
shall request of such Borrower the additional  reports or information  specified
by such Lender,  and, upon receipt thereof,  Agent promptly shall provide a copy
of same to such  Lender;  and (z) any time that  Agent  renders to  Borrowers  a
statement regarding the Loan Account,  Agent shall send a copy of such statement
to each Lender.

                  18.17   Several   Obligations;   No   Liability.
Notwithstanding  that certain of the Loan  Documents  now or hereafter  may have
been or will be executed  only by or in favor of Agent in its  capacity as such,
and not by or in favor of Lenders,  any and all  obligations  on the part of the
Agent to make  any  Advances  shall  constitute  the  several  (and  not  joint)
obligations  of the respective  Lenders on a ratable  basis,  according to their
respective  Commitments,  to make an amount of such  Advances not to exceed,  in
principal amount,  at any one time  outstanding,  the amount of their respective
Commitments.  Nothing contained herein shall confer upon any Lender any interest
in, or subject any Lender to any liability  for, or in respect of, the business,
assets,  profits,  losses, or liabilities of any other Lender. Each Lender shall
be solely  responsible for notifying its Participants of any matters relating to
the Loan Documents to the extent any such notice may be required,  and no Lender
shall have any  obligation,  duty, or liability to any  Participant of any other
Lender. Except as provided in Section 18.7, no member of Lender Group shall have
any liability for the acts of any other member of Lender Group.  No Lender shall
be  responsible to any Borrower or any other Person for any failure by any other
Lender to fulfill its  obligations to make credit  available  hereunder,  nor to
advance for it or on its behalf in connection with its  Commitment,  nor to take
any other action on its behalf  hereunder or in  connection  with the  financing
contemplated herein.

         19.      GENERAL PROVISIONS.

                  19.1     Effectiveness.   This Agreement shall be binding and
deemed  effective  when  executed  by each  Borrower,  the Agent and each of the
Lenders.

                                      -93-
<PAGE>


                  19.2    Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall inure to
the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties hereto and their successors and
assigns to the extent set forth in Section 17.

                  19.3     Section Headings.  Headings and numbers have been set
forth  herein for  convenience  only.  Unless the  contrary is  compelled by the
context,  everything  contained in each section  applies  equally to this entire
Agreement.

                  19.4   Interpretation.    Neither  this  Agreement  nor  any
uncertainty  or ambiguity  herein shall be construed or resolved  against Lender
Group or Borrowers,  whether under any rule of construction or otherwise. On the
contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by all parties and shall be construed
and  interpreted  according to the  ordinary  meaning of the words used so as to
fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of all parties hereto.

                  19.5   Severability   of   Provisions.  Each provision of this
Agreement  shall be severable  from every other  provision of this Agreement for
the purpose of determining the legal enforceability of any specific provision.

                  19.6     Amendments in Writing.   This Agreement can only be
amended by a writing signed in accordance with Section 17.

                  19.7     Counterparts;  Telefacsimile  Execution.     This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties
on separate counterparts,  each of which, when executed and delivered,  shall be
deemed  to be an  original,  and  all  of  which,  when  taken  together,  shall
constitute but one and the same Agreement.  Delivery of an executed  counterpart
of this Agreement by telefacsimile  shall be equally as effective as delivery of
an original  executed  counterpart of this  Agreement.  Any party  delivering an
executed  counterpart of this Agreement by  telefacsimile  also shall deliver an
original  executed  counterpart  of this Agreement but the failure to deliver an
original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and
binding effect of this Agreement.

                  The  foregoing  paragraph  shall  apply  to  each  other  Loan
Document mutatis mutandis.

                  19.8    Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations.    If the
incurrence  or payment of the  Obligations  by Borrowers or any Guarantor of the
Obligations or the transfer by either or both of such parties to Lender Group of
any  property  of  either  or  both  of  such  parties  should  for  any  reason
subsequently  be declared to be void or voidable  under any state or federal law
relating to  creditors'  rights,  including  provisions of the  Bankruptcy  Code
relating  to  fraudulent  conveyances,   preferences,   and  other  voidable  or
recoverable  payments  of  money  or  transfers  of  property  (collectively,  a
"Voidable  Transfer"),  and if Lender Group is required to repay or restore,  in
whole or in part,  any  such  Voidable  Transfer,  or  elects  to do so upon the
reasonable advice of its counsel, then, as to any such Voidable Transfer, or the
amount thereof that Lender Group is required or elects to repay or restore,  and
as to all reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys fees of Lender Group related
thereto,  the liability of Borrowers or such  Guarantor

                                      -94-
<PAGE>

automatically  shall be revived,  reinstated,  and  restored  and shall exist as
though such Voidable Transfer had never been made.

                  19.9   Integration.  This Agreement,  together with the other
Loan Documents, reflects the entire understanding of the parties with respect to
the transactions  contemplated hereby and shall not be contradicted or qualified
by any other agreement, oral or written, before the date hereof.

                  19.10.  General DataComm as Agent for Borrowers.  Each
Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints General DataComm as the borrowing agent and
attorney-in-fact  for  the  Borrowers  (the  "Administrative   Borrower")  which
appointment  shall remain in full force and effect  unless and until Agent shall
have  received  prior written  notice  signed by all of the Borrowers  that such
appointment  has been  revoked  and that  another  Borrower  has been  appointed
Administrative   Borrower.   Each  Borrower  hereby  irrevocably   appoints  and
authorizes  the  Administrative  Borrower (i) to provide  Agent with all notices
with respect to Advances,  the Term Loans and Letters of Credit obtained for the
benefit  of any  Borrower  and all other  notices  and  instructions  under this
Agreement  and (ii) to take such  action as the  Administrative  Borrower  deems
appropriate  on its behalf to obtain  Advances,  the Term  Loans and  Letters of
Credit and to exercise such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto to
carry out the purposes of this Agreement.  It is understood that the handling of
the Loan Account and Collateral of the Borrowers in a combined fashion,  as more
fully set forth herein,  is done solely as an  accommodation to the Borrowers in
order to utilize the  collective  borrowing  powers of the Borrowers in the most
efficient  and  economical  manner and at their  request,  and that Lender Group
shall not incur  liability  to the  Borrowers  as a result  hereof.  Each of the
Borrowers expects to derive benefit,  directly or indirectly,  from the handling
of the  Loan  Account  and  the  Collateral  in a  combined  fashion  since  the
successful  operation of each Borrower is dependent on the continued  successful
performance  of the  integrated  group.  To induce Lender Group to do so, and in
consideration thereof, each of the Borrowers hereby jointly and severally agrees
to indemnify  Lender Group and hold Lender  Group  harmless  against any and all
liability, expense, loss or claim of damage or injury, made against Lender Group
by any of the  Borrowers  or by any  third  party  whosoever,  arising  from  or
incurred by reason of (a) the handling of the Loan Account and Collateral of the
Borrowers as herein provided,  (b) Lender Group's relying on any instructions of
the  Administrative  Borrower,  or (c) any other  action  taken by Lender  Group
hereunder or under the other Loan Documents,  except that Borrowers will have no
liability to the relevant  Agent-Related  Person or Lender-Related  Person under
this  Section  19.10  with  respect  to any  liability  that  has  been  finally
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted solely from the
gross  negligence  or  willful  misconduct  of  such  Agent-Related   Person  or
Lender-Related Person, as the case may be.

                                      -95-
<PAGE>


                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Agreement to be executed on the date set forth above.

                                           Borrowers:

                                           GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC.,
                                           a Delaware corporation

                                           By  /S/ DENNIS J. NESLER
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Title: Vice President and Treasurer

                                           GENERAL DATACOMM, INC.,
                                           a Delaware corporation

                                           By  /S/ DENNIS J. NESLER
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Title: Vice President and Treasurer

                                           DATACOMM LEASING CORPORATION,
                                           a Delaware corporation

                                           By  /S/ DENNIS J. NESLER
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Title: Vice President and Treasurer

                                           VITAL NETWORK SERVICES, L.L.C.,
                                           a Delaware limited liability company

                                           By  /S/ DENNIS J. NESLER
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Title: Vice President and Treasurer

                                           GDC FEDERAL SYSTEMS, INC.,
                                           a Delaware corporation

                                           By  /S/ DENNIS J. NESLER
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Title: Vice President and Treasurer

                                      -1-

<PAGE>
                                           GDC NAUGATUCK, INC.,
                                           a Delaware Corporation

                                           By  /S/ DENNIS J. NESLER
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Title: Vice President and Treasurer


                                           Agent and Lender:

                                           FOOTHILL CAPITAL CORPORATION,
                                           a California corporation

                                           By /S/ BRUCE RIVERS
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Title:  Vice President

                                      -2-
<PAGE>


                                  Schedule C-1


                        Lenders and Lenders' Commitments


                               Revolving           Term A Loan    Term B Loan
          Lender               Credit Commitment   Commitment     Commitment
          ------               -----------------   -----------    -----------
Foothill Capital Corporation   $25,000,000         $12,000,000    $3,000,000



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