<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.9


                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                  BY AND AMONG


                              LASALLE NATIONAL BANK
                                    AS AGENT,

                         CERTAIN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
                                   AS LENDERS


                                       AND


                               ARTECON CALIFORNIA


                            DATED AS OF MAY 15, 1998


<PAGE>   2
                         INDEX OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

EXHIBITS

        Exhibit A     Revolving Credit Note
        Exhibit B     Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement
        Exhibit C     Assignment and Acceptance
        Exhibit D     Borrowing Base Certificate
        Exhibit E     Compliance Certificate

SCHEDULES

        Schedule 1.01        Allocations


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                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


        THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT (as from time to time amended, modified, restated,
supplemented and in effect, this "Agreement") is entered into as of May 15, 1998
by and among ARTECON CALIFORNIA, a California corporation (the "Borrower"), the
financial institutions listed as lenders on the signature pages hereof or that
hereafter become a party hereto pursuant to Section 9.04 hereof (each of such
financial institutions, together with such party's successors and assigns,
referred to individually as a "Lender" and collectively as the "Lenders"), and
LASALLE NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association, its successors and
assigns, as agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Agent").

                                    RECITALS

        A. The Borrower has requested that the Agent and the Lenders extend
credit in the form of a revolving credit facility (with a letter of credit
sub-facility).

        B. The Agent and the Lenders are willing to make such credit facility
available to the Borrower, and the Borrower is willing to borrow from the
Lenders on the terms and subject to the conditions hereafter set forth.

                                    AGREEMENT

        NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the matters set forth in the
Recitals and the covenants and provisions herein set forth, and other valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE 1

                         DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

        SECTION 1.1 DEFINED TERMS. As used in this Agreement, the following
terms shall have the meanings specified below:

        "Account Debtor" shall mean the Account Debtor defined in the Borrower
Security Agreement.

        "Accountants" shall mean Deloitte & Touche LLP or another independent
certified public accounting firm selected by Borrower and satisfactory to the
Required Lenders.

        "Accounts" shall mean the Accounts defined in the Borrower Security
Agreement.

        "Accounts Availability" shall mean 80% of the net amount (after
deduction for amounts credited by the Borrower to Account Debtors and such
reserves as the Agent, in its reasonable credit judgement, deems proper and
necessary) of Eligible Accounts.

        "Accounts Report" shall mean a report delivered to the Lenders by the
Borrower, as required by Section 5.05 of this Agreement, consisting of an aged
trial balance of all of the 


                                       1.


<PAGE>   4
Borrower's Accounts existing as of the date of such Accounts Report, specifying
for each Account Debtor obligated on the Accounts, such Account Debtor's name,
outstanding balance and the aging of such outstanding balance.

        "Affected Lender" shall mean the Affected Lender described in Section
2.15.

        "Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person
(including any member of the immediate family of any such natural Person) which
directly or indirectly beneficially owns or controls 5% or more of the total
voting power of shares of capital stock of such Person having the right to vote
for directors under ordinary circumstances, any Person controlling, controlled
by or under common control with any such Person (within the meaning of Rule 405
under the Securities Act of 1933), and any shareholder, director or executive
officer of any such Person.

        "Agent" shall mean the Agent defined in the preamble of this Agreement
and any successors appointed pursuant to Section 8.08.

        "Applicable Margin" shall mean (a) 0% in the case of Prime Rate Loans
and (b) 1.75% in the case of LIBOR Loans.

        "Asset Disposition" shall mean the disposition whether by sale, lease,
transfer, loss, damage, destruction, condemnation or otherwise of any of the
following: (a) any of the capital stock or other equity or ownership interest of
any of the Borrower's Subsidiaries or (b) any or all of the assets of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries other than sales of inventory in the
ordinary course of business or other dispositions of motor vehicles in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

        "Assignment and Acceptance" shall mean an assignment and acceptance
entered into by a Lender and an assignee of such Lender, and accepted by the
Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit C.

        "Board" shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
of the United States.

        "Borrower Security Agreement" shall mean that security agreement
executed and delivered by the Borrower and the Agent on the Closing Date in form
and substance acceptable to the Agent, as amended, restated or otherwise
modified from time to time.

        "Borrower's Representative" shall mean the Borrower's Chairman,
President or Chief Financial Officer, or any other person or persons as the
Borrower shall designate in writing to the Agent.

        "Borrowing Base" shall mean and, at any particular time, be equal to the
sum of (a) the Accounts Availability plus (b) the Inventory Availability, all as
determined by the Required Lenders from time to time in accordance with this
Agreement.

        "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal
holiday in the State of Illinois on which the Agent is open for business in
Chicago, Illinois and, with respect to 


                                       2.


<PAGE>   5
LIBOR Loans, a day on which dealings in Dollars may be carried on by the Agent
in the London interbank eurodollar market.

        "Canada" shall mean Artecon Canada, Inc., a Canadian corporation.

        "Capital Expenditures" shall mean, for any period, the aggregate amount
(whether paid in cash or accrued as a liability) that would, in accordance with
GAAP, be included on a consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries for such period as additions to equipment, fixed assets, real
property or improvements or other capital assets (including, but not limited to,
capital lease obligations).

        "Cash Equivalents" shall mean (a) securities issued or fully guaranteed
or insured by the United States Government or any agency thereof and backed by
the full faith and credit of the United States having maturities of not more
than three months from the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit,
time deposits, Eurodollar time deposits, repurchase agreements, reverse
repurchase agreements, or banker's acceptances, having in each case a tenor of
not more than three months, issued by any U.S. commercial bank having combined
capital and surplus of not less than $100,000,000 whose short term securities
are rated at least A-1 by Standard & Poor's Corporation and P-1 by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc.; and (c) commercial paper of an issuer rated at least
A-1 by Standard & Poor's Corporation or P-1 by Moody's Investors Service Inc.
and in either case having a tenor of not more than three months.

        "Closing Date" shall mean the date on which all of the conditions
precedent set forth in Article IV have been satisfied and on which the first
Loan is made by the Lenders to the Borrower hereunder.

        "Collateral" shall mean the Collateral defined in the Security
Agreements.

        "Collateral Documents" shall mean the Security Agreements, the Parent
Guaranty, the Negative Pledge Agreement, the Subordination Agreement and any
pledge agreement entered into pursuant to Section 5.12.

        "Commitment" shall mean the aggregate commitment of the Lenders to the
Borrower to make Loans and issue or participate in Letters of Credit under the
Revolving Credit Facility in a maximum principal amount not in excess of
$15,000,000.

        "Consolidated Net Income" shall mean, for any period, net income (or
loss) for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

        "Consolidated Stockholder's Equity" shall mean for the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries (without duplication) the sum of the capital stock, capital in
excess of par and stated value of shares of its capital stock, retained earnings
and any other account, including any special account for common stock subject to
redemption, which, in accordance with GAAP, constitutes stockholder's equity (or
such other appropriate account designation), but shall specifically exclude all
amounts due from officers, employees, stockholders (other than revenues due from
stockholders in the ordinary course of business) and Affiliates.


                                       3.


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        "Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" shall mean, as of any particular date,
(a) Consolidated Stockholder's Equity, minus (b) the value of the Borrower's
consolidated unamortized debt discount and expense, prepaid expenses, deposits,
unamortized deferred charges (exclusive of deferred income or similar taxes),
goodwill, organization costs, noncompetition agreements, patents, copyrights,
trademarks and other intangible items and amounts payable to the Borrower by
Affiliates, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

        "Default" shall mean any event that with notice or lapse of time or both
would constitute an Event of Default.

        "Default Rate" shall mean the Default Rate described in Section 2.04.

        "Dollars" and the symbol "$" shall mean the lawful currency of the
United States of America.

        "Eligible Accounts" shall mean those Accounts included in an Accounts
Report which, as of the date of such Accounts Report and at all times thereafter
do not violate the negative covenants and other provisions of this Agreement and
do satisfy the affirmative covenants and other provisions of this Agreement,
including all of the following criteria:

               (a) The Account arises because of the sale of goods in the
ordinary course of business and such goods have been shipped or delivered on
open account and on an absolute sale basis and not on consignment, on approval
or on a sale-or-return basis or subject to any other repurchase or return
agreement and no material part of such goods has been returned, repossessed,
rejected, lost or damaged;

               (b) The Account is not evidenced by chattel paper or an
instrument of any kind;

               (c) The Account Debtor obligated on such Account is not insolvent
or the subject of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding of any kind, or the
Agent has not notified the Borrower that the Agent is dissatisfied with the
creditworthiness of such Account Debtor;

               (d) The Account Debtor's principal place of business is located
in the United States and the Account Debtor does not owe other amounts to the
Borrower that are more than 90 days past due; provided, however, that (i) with
respect to an Account Debtor whose principal place of business is located
outside of the United States, such Account shall not be excluded pursuant to
this clause (d) if it is (A) supported by a letter of credit issued or confirmed
by a bank acceptable to the Agent or (B) covered by a credit insurance policy
endorsed to the Agent (which endorsements may be received by the Agent within 30
days after the Closing Date for Accounts arising prior to the expiration of such
period), and issued by an insurance company, acceptable to the Agent and (ii)
with respect to an Account Debtor that owes other amounts to the Borrower that
are more than 90 days past due, only that portion of such Accounts owed by such
Account Debtor that are more than 90 days past due shall be excluded, unless 25%
or more of all Accounts of such Account Debtor are more than 90 days past due,
in which case all Accounts of such Account Debtor shall be excluded;


                                       4.


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               (e) The Account is a valid, legally enforceable obligation of the
relevant Account Debtor not subject to any offset (including any possible right
of offset existing by reason of accounts payable owed by the Borrower to such
Account Debtor ("Contra Accounts")), counterclaim or defense denying liability
thereunder; provided, however, that if such offset, Contra Account, counterclaim
or defense exists, such Account shall be ineligible only to the extent it is
subject to offset, Contra Account, counterclaim or defense;

               (f) The Account is subject to and covered by a perfected,
first-priority security interest of the Agent on behalf of the Lenders and is
not subject to any other Lien;

               (g) The Account is evidenced by an invoice or other documentation
in a form acceptable to the Agent, which invoice is dated no later than five (5)
days after the date of shipment to the Account Debtor and has a due date not
later than 90 days after the invoice date;

               (h) The Account is not owing from an employee, officer, agent,
director, stockholder or Affiliate of the Borrower or from the United States of
America or any State or lawful government or any department, agency or
instrumentality thereof;

               (i) The Account does not arise out of a contract or order which,
by its terms forbids, restricts or makes void or unenforceable the assignment by
the Borrower to the Agent of the Account arising with respect thereto;

               (j) The Account Debtor is not located in any state denying
creditors access to its courts in the absence of a Notice of Business Activities
Report or similar filing, unless the Borrower has either qualified as a foreign
corporation authorized to transact business in such state or has filed a Notice
of Business Activities Report or similar filing with the applicable state agency
for the then current year;

               (k) Each of the warranties and representations set forth herein
and in the Security Agreements with respect to the Account has been reaffirmed
with respect to such Account at the time the most recent Accounts Report was
delivered to the Lenders, unless such representation or warranty relates to an
earlier time, in which case it shall have been reaffirmed as of such earlier
time; and

               (l) The Account is one against which the Lenders are legally
permitted to make advances and all applicable legal requirements with respect to
such Account have been satisfied.

An Account which is at any time an Eligible Account, but which subsequently
fails to meet any of the foregoing requirements, shall forthwith cease to be an
Eligible Account.

        "Eligible Inventory" shall mean that Inventory which does not violate
the negative covenants and other provisions of this Agreement and does satisfy
the affirmative covenants and other provisions of this Agreement, including all
of the following criteria:

               (a) The Inventory is in good condition, meets all standards
imposed by any governmental agency, or department or division thereof, having
regulatory authority over such goods, their use or sale and is either currently
usable or currently saleable in the ordinary course 


                                       5.


<PAGE>   8
of the Borrower's business and is not obsolete, slow-moving or otherwise
unacceptable to the Agent due to age, type, category or quantity;

               (b) The Inventory is located at the Premises (and, in any event,
is not located with a processor), is subject to and covered by a perfected,
first-priority security interest of the Agent on behalf of the Lenders and is
not subject to any other Lien (except for Permitted Liens); provided, however,
that with respect to any Premises leased by the Borrower, the Agent shall also
have received a landlord's and lien waiver in form and substance acceptable to
the Agent (which waivers may be received by Agent within 45 days after the
Closing Date for Premises leased as of the Closing Date);

               (c) The Inventory has not been consigned to a customer of, or
from a supplier to, the Borrower;

               (d) Each of the warranties and representations set forth herein
and in the Borrower Security Agreement relating to Inventory is true;

               (e) The Inventory was not purchased by the Borrower in or as part
of a "bulk" transfer or sale of assets unless the Borrower has complied with all
applicable bulk sales or bulk transfer laws; and

               (f) The Inventory is not work-in-process.

Inventory of the Borrower which is at any time Eligible Inventory but which
subsequently fails to meet any of the foregoing requirements shall forthwith
cease to be Eligible Inventory.

        "Environmental Laws" shall mean all laws relating to environmental,
health or safety matters, including those relating to fines, orders,
injunctions, penalties, damages, contribution, cost recovery, compensation,
losses or injuries resulting from the release or threatened release of Hazardous
Materials and to the generation, use, storage, transportation, or disposal of
Hazardous Materials, in any manner applicable to the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries or their respective properties, each as heretofore and hereafter
amended or supplemented, and any analogous future or present local, state or
federal statutes, rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or pursuant
thereto, and any other present or future law, ordinance, rule, regulation,
permit or permit condition, order or directive addressing environmental, health
or safety issues.

        "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as the same may be amended from time to time.

        "ERISA Affiliate" shall mean any corporation, trade or business that is
treated as a single employer with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
pursuant to Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA.

        "Event of Default" shall mean the Events of Default specified in Section
7.01.

        "Federal Funds Rate" shall mean, for any period, a fluctuating interest
rate per annum equal for each day during such period to (a) the weighted average
of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or,
if such day is not a Business Day, for the next 


                                       6.


<PAGE>   9
preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or (b) if such
rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the
quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Lender from three
Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

        "Fees" shall mean all of the fees payable by the Borrower to the Agent
or the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.08 and Section 2.14 of this Agreement and
elsewhere under the Loan Documents.

        "Financial Officer" shall mean either the President or the Chief
Financial Officer of the Borrower.

        "Fiscal Month" shall mean each monthly accounting period of the Borrower
ending on the last day of each month of each year. Any references in the Loan
Documents to Borrower's 'fiscal month' (or words of similar import) shall be
deemed to refer to a Fiscal Month as herein defined.

        "Fiscal Quarter" shall mean each quarterly accounting period of the
Borrower ending on the last day of March, June, September, December of each
year. Any references in the Loan Documents to Borrower's 'fiscal quarter' (or
words of similar import) shall be deemed to refer to a Fiscal Quarter as herein
defined.

        "Fiscal Year" shall mean each annual accounting period of Borrower
ending on the March 31 of each year. Except as expressly indicated otherwise,
any references in the Loan Documents to Borrower's 'fiscal year' (or words of
similar import) shall be deemed to refer to a Fiscal Year as herein defined.

        "Foreign Subsidiary" shall mean each of Storage Dimensions, GMBH, a
German company, Artecon, BV, a Netherlands company, Artecon Japan, Ltd., a
Japanese Company, and Artecon FSC, a Barbados company.

        "Founding Partners" shall mean Founding Partners, a California general
partnership.

        "Funded Debt" shall mean, with respect to any Person, all Indebtedness
of such Person that by its terms or by the terms of any instrument or agreement
relating thereto matures more than one year from, or is renewable or extendable
at the option of the debtor to a date more than one year from, the date of
creation thereof (including an option of the debtor under a revolving credit or
similar arrangement obligating the lender or lenders to extend credit over a
period of one year or more), including any current maturities of such
Indebtedness.

        "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles as set forth
in statements from Auditing Standards No. 69 entitled "The Meaning of 'Present
Fairly in Conformance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the
Independent Auditors Reports'" issued by the Auditing Standards Board of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and
pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board that are applicable
to the circumstances as of the date of determination.


                                       7.


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        "Guaranty" shall mean any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any
Person guarantying or having the economic effect of guarantying any Indebtedness
of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including
any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect (a) to purchase or pay (or
advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or to
purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for
the payment of such Indebtedness, (b) to purchase property, securities or
services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the
payment of such Indebtedness, or (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital
or other financial condition of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary
obligor to pay such Indebtedness (including any obligation to make capital
contributions, loans or other payments pursuant to a keep well guaranty or
similar instrument); provided, however, that the term "Guaranty" shall not
include endorsements for collection or deposit, in either case in the ordinary
course of business.

        "Hazardous Materials" shall mean (a) any chemical, material or substance
defined as or included in the definition of "hazardous substances," "hazardous
wastes," "hazardous materials," "extremely hazardous waste," "restricted
hazardous waste," "toxic pollutants," contaminants," "pollutants," "toxic
substances" or words of similar import under any applicable local, state or
federal law or under the regulations adopted or publications promulgated
pursuant thereto, including Environmental Laws, (b) any oil, petroleum or
petroleum derived substances, any drilling fluids, produced waters or other
wastes associated with the exploration, development or production of crude oil,
any flammable substances or explosives, any radioactive materials, any hazardous
wastes or substances, any toxic wastes or substances or any other materials or
pollutants which (i) pose a hazard to any property of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or to Persons on or about such properties, or (ii) cause such
properties to be in violation of any Environmental Laws, (c) asbestos in any
form which is or could become friable, radon gas, urea formaldehyde foam
insulation, or transformers or other electrical equipment which contain any oil
or dielectric fluid containing polychlorinated biphenyls, and (d) any other
chemical, material or substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or
regulated by any governmental authority.

        "Inactive Subsidiaries" shall mean SDI Foreign Operations, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, and, until formally dissolved under applicable law,
Canada.

        "Indebtedness" shall mean, with respect to any Person, without
duplication (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, or with
respect to deposits with such Person or advances to such Person of any kind, (b)
all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar
instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are
customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or
other title retention agreements relating to property purchased by such Person,
(e) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase
price of property or services (other than trade payables and accrued expenses
incurred in the ordinary course of business not yet due and payable or not yet
more than 60 days in arrears or with respect to which such Person is contesting
in good faith the amount or validity thereof), (f) all Indebtedness of others
secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right,
contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or
acquired by such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have
been assumed, (g) all obligations of such Person under leases that are
classified as capital leases under GAAP, (h) all Guaranties of such Person
(including 


                                       8.


<PAGE>   11
contingent obligations of such Person in respect of joint ventures, partnerships
or other strategic relationships in which such person is a member), (i) all
obligations of such Person under any Interest Rate Protection Agreement and (j)
all obligations of such Person under or with respect to letters of credit and
bankers acceptances.

        "Interest Payment Date" shall mean: (a) with respect to any Prime Rate
Loan, the first Business Day of each calendar month and the date of any
conversion of such Prime Rate Loan into a LIBOR Loan; and (b) with respect to
any LIBOR Loan, the last day of each applicable Interest Period.

        "Interest Period" shall mean with respect to any LIBOR Loan (i)
initially, the period commencing on the initial date of borrowing as set forth
in the Notice of Borrowing described in Section 2.05 or the conversion date, or
continuation date, as the case may be with respect to such LIBOR Loan and ending
one month, two months or three months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in
the Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion, and (ii) thereafter, each
period commencing on the last day of the next preceding Interest Period
applicable to such LIBOR Loan and ending one month, two months or three months
thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in the Notice of Continuance described
in Section 2.09; provided, however, that the foregoing provisions relating to
Interest Periods are subject to the following:

               (a) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is
not a Business Day, that Interest Period shall be extended to the next
succeeding Business Day except if the result of such extension would be for such
Interest Period to end in another calendar month in which event such Interest
Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

               (b) any Interest Period that would otherwise extend beyond the
Revolving Credit Termination Date shall end on the Revolving Credit Termination
Date;

               (c) if the Borrower fails to give notice of the length of the
Interest Period it requests with respect to the LIBOR Loan, it shall be deemed
to have selected a LIBOR Loan of one month; and

               (d) any Interest Period pertaining to a LIBOR Loan that begins on
the last Business Day of a calendar month (or a day for which there is no
numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest
Period) shall end on the last Business Day of a calendar month.

        "Interest Rate Protection Agreement" shall mean any interest rate swap,
cap, collar or similar interest rate hedging strategy or agreement now existing
or hereafter entered into by any Person.

        "Interest Rate Protection Agreement Obligations" shall mean all
obligations, liabilities, charges, costs, expenses and other amounts payable to
any Lender or its Affiliates under any Interest Rate Protection Agreement
between the Borrower and any Lender.

        "Inventory" shall mean the Inventory defined in the Borrower Security
Agreement.


                                       9.


<PAGE>   12
        "Inventory Availability" shall mean the lesser of (a) 30% of the net
amount (after deduction for such reserves as the Agent, in its reasonable credit
judgement, deems proper and necessary) of Eligible Inventory, valued on a
first-in, first- out basis (at the lower of cost or market) and (b) $5,000,000.

        "Letter of Credit" shall mean any letter of credit issued by the Agent
for the account of the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.08.

        "Letter of Credit Obligations" shall mean, at any particular time, the
sum of (a) Reimbursement Obligations and (b) the aggregate maximum amount then
available to be drawn under the Letters of Credit.

        "Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement" shall mean, with respect to a
Letter of Credit, such reimbursement agreement as the Agent may employ in the
ordinary course of business for its own account in substantially the form
contained in Exhibit B.

        "LIBOR Loan" shall mean any Loan (or portion thereof) bearing interest
at the LIBOR Rate, as designated by Borrower in its Notice of Borrowing, Notice
of Conversion or Notice of Continuance.

        "LIBOR Rate" shall mean with respect to each Interest Period for any
LIBOR Loan the rate of interest per annum equal to the quotient of (a) the rate
of interest per annum (expressed as a whole number) at which deposits in U.S.
Dollars in immediately available funds are offered to the Agent at approximately
11:00 a.m. (London, England time) two Business Days prior to the beginning of
such Interest Period in the London interbank eurodollar market for a period
equal to such Interest Period and in a Dollar amount equal or comparable to the
principal amount of such LIBOR Loan, divided by (b) a number equal to 1.0 minus
the daily average for the applicable Interest Period of the maximum rate
(expressed as a decimal) at which reserves (including, without limitation,
basic, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves) are imposed during such
Interest Period by the Board (or any successor) under Regulation D on
"eurocurrency liabilities," as defined in such Board's Regulation D (or in
respect of any other category of liabilities that includes deposits by reference
to which the interest rate on the LIBOR Loans is determined by any category of
extension of credit or other assets that includes loans by non-United States
offices of any lender to United States residents) subject to any amendments of
such reserve requirement by such Board or its successor, taking into account any
transitional adjustments thereto (such LIBOR Rate to be adjusted to the next
higher 1/16 of one percent). For purposes of this definition, the LIBOR Loans
shall be deemed to be "eurocurrency liabilities" as defined in Regulation D.

        "Lien" shall mean, with respect to any asset, any lien, mortgage,
security interest, charge or encumbrance of any kind, including the rights of a
vendor, lessor, or similar party under any conditional sale agreement or other
title retention agreement or lease substantially equivalent thereto, any
production or advance payment and any other right of or arrangement with any
creditor to have his claim satisfied out of any property or assets, or the
proceeds therefrom, prior to the general creditors of the owner thereof.


                                      10.


<PAGE>   13
        "Loan" shall mean any advance made by the Lenders to the Borrower under
the Revolving Credit Facility.

        "Loan Account" shall mean the Loan Account defined in Section 2.07(b).

        "Loan Documents" shall mean collectively this Agreement (including the
Disclosure Schedule), the Notes, the Collateral Documents, any Interest Rate
Protection Agreement between the Borrower and any Lender (or its Affiliates),
and the reports, certificates, financial statements and other agreements and
instruments executed and delivered by the Borrower in connection herewith or
therewith.

        "Margin Stock" shall have the meaning assigned such term in
Regulation U.

        "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean (a) a material adverse effect upon
the business, operations, prospects, properties, assets, liabilities, operating
results, cash flows or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or the
Parent or (b) a material impairment of the ability of the Borrower or the Parent
to perform the obligations, or the impairment of the validity or enforceability
of, or material impairment of the rights or remedies of, or benefits to, the
Agent or the Lenders, under any Loan Document, including a material impairment
of the value of the Collateral.

        "Multiemployer Plan" shall mean a multiemployer plan (within the meaning
of Section 3(37) of ERISA) that is maintained for employees of the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate.

        "Negative Pledge Agreement" shall mean the negative pledge agreement
executed and delivered by each Foreign Subsidiary and the Inactive Subsidiaries
in favor of the Agent on the Closing Date in form and substance acceptable to
the Agent, as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

        "Notes" shall mean collectively the Revolving Credit Notes to be
executed and delivered by the Borrower on the Closing Date or pursuant to any
Assignment and Acceptance.

        "Notice of Borrowing" shall mean the Notice of Borrowing described in
Section 2.05.

        "Notice of Continuance" shall mean the Notice of Continuation described
in Section 2.09(b).

        "Notice of Conversion" shall mean the Notice of Conversion described in
Section 2.09(a).

        "Obligations" shall mean (a) the due and punctual payment of (i) the
principal and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of
whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Loans, when and as due,
whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment
or otherwise, (ii) each payment required to be made by the Borrower under this
Agreement in respect of any Letter of Credit and Reimbursement Obligation, when
and as due, including in respect of reimbursement of disbursements, interest


                                      11.


<PAGE>   14
thereon and obligations to provide such collateral, (iii) all amounts owed to
the Agent or any Lender arising from overdrafts on the Borrower's accounts with
the Agent or any Lender, (iv) all other monetary obligations, including but not
limited to, guaranties, fees, costs, expenses and indemnities, whether primary,
secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary
obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other similar proceeding regardless of whether allowed or
allowable in such proceeding), of the Borrower under this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, and (v) all Interest Rate Protection Agreement
Obligations, and (b) the due and punctual performance of all covenants,
agreements, obligations and liabilities of the Borrower under or pursuant this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

        "Parent" shall mean Artecon, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

        "Parent Guaranty" shall mean that guaranty executed and delivered by the
Parent in favor of the Agent on the Closing Date in form and substance
acceptable to the Agent, as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to
time.

        "Parent Merger" shall have the meaning assigned such term in
Section 6.04.

        "Parent Security Agreement" shall mean that security agreement executed
and delivered by the Parent and the Agent on the Closing Date in form and
substance acceptable to the Agent, as amended, restated or otherwise modified
from time to time.

        "Pension Plan" shall mean any Plan and any Multiemployer Plan that is
subject to the provisions of Section 302 of ERISA or Title IV of ERISA.

        "Percentage" shall mean, with respect to any Lender, the Percentage of
such Lender specified opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1.01 hereto or in
the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which it became a Lender hereunder.

        "Permitted Liens" shall mean the Liens permitted by Section 6.02.

        "Person" shall mean and includes natural persons, corporations
(business, municipal or not-for-profit), limited partnerships, general
partnerships, limited liability companies, joint stock companies, joint
ventures, associations, companies, trusts, banks, trust companies, land trusts,
business trusts and other organizations, whether or not legal entities, and
governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.

        "Plan" shall mean any employee benefit plan (within the meaning of
Section 3(3) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is maintained for
employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.

        "Premises" shall mean the Premises described in Section 3.16.

        "Prime Rate" shall mean on any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to
the higher of (a) the rate of interest designated by the Agent from time to time
as its "Prime Rate," and (b) a rate of interest equal to the sum of (i) the
Federal Funds Rate, plus (ii) 0.5%. The Prime Rate is not necessarily the lowest
rate of interest charged by the Agent in connection with extensions of 


                                      12.


<PAGE>   15
credit. Changes in the rate of interest on a Prime Rate Loan shall take effect
simultaneously with each change in the Prime Rate. The applicable Prime Rate
shall be determined by the Agent in its sole judgment, and such determination
shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

        "Prime Rate Loan" shall mean any Loan (or portion thereof) bearing
interest at the Prime Rate, as designated by the Borrower pursuant to its Notice
of Borrowing, Notice of Conversion or Notice of Continuance.

        "Regulation D, G, T, U or X" shall mean Regulation D, G, T, U or X of
the Board, as each of the same is from time to time in effect, and all official
rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

        "Reimbursement Obligations" shall mean all amounts owed by the Borrower
to the Lenders (whether or not evidenced by any note or instrument), direct or
indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or
hereafter arising, representing the principal of and interest on payments made
by the Lenders under or in connection with any Letter of Credit, including but
not limited to, all unpaid drawings, fees, premiums, expenses, attorneys' fees,
accountants' fees, capital adequacy charges, increased costs and similar costs
and expenses owed or payable under this Agreement or any Letters of Credit,
including, but not limited to, the fees set forth in Section 2.08 hereof.

        "Replacement Lender" shall mean the Replacement Lender described in
Section 2.15.

        "Reportable Event" shall mean any Reportable Event within the meaning of
Section 4043(b) of Title IV of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder.

        "Required Lenders" shall mean Lenders whose aggregate Percentages equal
or exceed 67%.

        "Revolving Credit Availability" shall mean the Revolving Credit
Availability described in Section 2.01(a).

        "Revolving Credit Commitment" shall mean, with respect to any Lender,
the Commitment of such Lender to make Loans and issue or participate in Letters
of Credit under the Revolving Credit Facility in a maximum principal amount not
in excess of the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment (for the relevant
time period specified herein) specified opposite such Lender's name on Schedule
1.01 hereto or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which it became a
Lender hereunder, as such amount may be reduced or otherwise adjusted from time
to time pursuant to this Agreement.

        "Revolving Credit Facility" shall mean the Revolving Credit Facility
described in Section 2.01(a).

        "Revolving Credit Notes" shall mean the Revolving Credit Notes described
in Section 2.02, to be executed and delivered by the Borrower on the Closing
Date, in substantially the form of Exhibit A.

        "Revolving Credit Termination Date" shall mean May 15, 2001.


                                      13.


<PAGE>   16
        "Revolving Credit Utilizations" shall mean, at any particular time, the
sum of (a) the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Credit
Notes at that time, plus (b) the Letter of Credit Obligations at that time with
respect to Letters of Credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility.

        "Security Agreements" shall mean, collectively, the Borrower Security
Agreement and the Parent Security Agreement, together with all intellectual
property security agreements delivered in connection therewith.

        "Seller Note" shall mean that promissory note made by the Borrower in
favor of the Sellers due August 21, 2002, having an initial principal amount of
$1,250,000, bearing interest at a rate of 10% per annum, payable in consecutive
equal monthly installments of $15,935.28 and subject to the Subordination
Agreement.

        "Sellers" shall mean Falcon Systems, Inc.

        "Subordination Agreement" shall mean that Subordination Agreement dated
as of August 21, 1997, made by Sellers in favor of the Sanwa Bank California and
assigned by Sanwa Bank California to the Agent, on behalf of itself and the
Lenders, as of the Closing Date, in form and substance acceptable to the Agent,
as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

        "Subsidiary" shall mean, as to any Person (a) any corporation, more than
50% of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary
voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation
(irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any class or classes of
such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the
happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person and/or one or
more Subsidiaries of such Person and (b) any partnership, association, joint
venture, or other entity in which such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of
such Person has greater than a 50% equity interest at the time.

        "Taxes" shall mean the Taxes defined in Section 2.06(f).

        "Transactions" shall mean collectively the execution, delivery and
performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to
which it is a party, the borrowing by the Borrower hereunder, the grant of Liens
pursuant to the Collateral Documents and all other transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

        "United States" and "U.S." shall each mean the United States of America.

        SECTION 1.2 ACCOUNTING TERMS. Except as otherwise herein specifically
provided, each accounting term used herein shall have the meaning given it under
GAAP; provided, however, that each reference in Article VI hereof, or in the
definition of any term used in Article VI hereof, to GAAP, shall mean GAAP as in
effect in the United States on the date hereof.

        SECTION 1.3 INTERPRETATION. In this Agreement and each other Loan
Document, unless a clear contrary intention appears:

               (a) The singular number includes the plural number and vice
versa;


                                      14.


<PAGE>   17
               (b) Reference to any Person includes such Person's successors and
assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by
the Loan Documents, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes
such Person in any other capacity;

               (c) reference to either gender includes the other gender;

               (d) reference to any agreement (including this Agreement and the
Schedules (which shall include the Disclosure Schedule) and Exhibits and the
other Loan Documents), document or instrument means such agreement, document or
instrument as amended or modified and in effect from time to time in accordance
with the terms thereof and, if applicable, the terms hereof and the other Loan
Documents, and reference to any promissory note includes any promissory note
which is an extension or renewal thereof or a substitute or replacement
therefor;

               (e) reference to any law, rule, regulation, order, decree,
requirement, policy, guideline, directive or interpretation means as amended,
modified, codified, replaced or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect on
the determination date, including rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

               (f) reference to any Article, Section, Schedule (including the
Disclosure Schedule), or Exhibit means such Article or Section of this Agreement
or Schedule or Exhibit to this Agreement;

               (g) "hereunder", "hereof", "hereto" and words of similar import
shall be deemed references to this Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular Article, Section or other provision hereof;

               (h) "including" (and with correlative meaning "include") means
including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such
term; and

               (i) relative to the determination of any period of time "from"
means "from and including and "to" means "to but excluding".

                                    ARTICLE 2

                                 THE FACILITIES

        SECTION 2.1 THE LOANS.

               (a) REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, each Lender, severally and not jointly, shall make
available to the Borrower during the term of this Agreement up to the Revolving
Credit Termination Date, a revolving line of credit (the "Revolving Credit
Facility") in an amount not to exceed at any one time the lesser of (i) such
Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment and (ii) such Lender's Percentage of the
Borrowing Base (the "Revolving Credit Availability"). Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay, prepay and
reborrow under the Revolving Credit Facility.


                                      15.


<PAGE>   18
               (b) LOAN ADVANCES. All Loans shall be made ratably by the Lenders
in accordance with their respective Percentages; provided, however, that failure
of any Lender to make any Loan shall not relieve any other Lender of its
obligation to lend its respective Percentage hereunder, but a Lender shall not
be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make any Loan hereunder.

        SECTION 2.2 THE NOTES. The Revolving Credit Facility and the Loans made
by the Lenders to the Borrower thereunder shall be evidenced by the Revolving
Credit Notes. Each Lender shall, and is hereby authorized by the Borrower to,
record on any schedules attached to the Notes (or on a continuation of such
schedules attached to the Notes and made a part thereof), or otherwise record in
such Lender's internal records, an appropriate notation evidencing the date and
amount of each Loan from such Lender, each payment of principal of any portion
of each Loan, each payment of interest on each Loan and the other information
provided for on such schedule; provided, however, that the failure of such
Lender to make such a notation or any error in such a notation shall not affect
the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms
of the Notes and this Agreement.

        SECTION 2.3 MAINTENANCE OF LOANS; INTEREST.

               (a) MAINTENANCE OF LOANS. The Loans may be made and maintained as
(a) Prime Rate Loans, or (b) LIBOR Loans, or (c) any combination of Prime Rate
Loans and LIBOR Loans, provided that all Loans comprising a part of the same
borrowing shall be of the same type. The aggregate principal amount of each
Loan, whether new, converted or continued, shall not be less than $100,000 for a
Prime Rate Loan or $500,000 for a LIBOR Loan and shall be in integral multiples
of $25,000 for Prime Rate Loans and $100,000 for LIBOR Loans. More than one
borrowing may occur on the same date, but at no time shall there be outstanding
more than six LIBOR Loans.

               (b) INTEREST. Except as set forth in Section 2.04, the Borrower
shall pay to the Lenders interest on the outstanding principal balance of the
Loans from time to time at a rate per annum equal to: (a) with respect to Prime
Rate Loans, the Prime Rate plus the Applicable Margin; and (b) with respect to
LIBOR Loans, the LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin. The records of the Agent
as to the interest rate applicable to a particular advance shall be binding and
conclusive absent manifest error. Interest shall be payable from, and including,
the day of such advance of the Loan to, but excluding, the day of repayment of
such advance. Interest shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of
days elapsed on the basis of a year consisting of 360 days, and shall be payable
as provided in Section 2.07. Interest on the outstanding principal amount of
each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date and
upon payment (including prepayment) in whole or in part thereof.

               (c) INABILITY TO DETERMINE INTEREST RATE. In the event, and on
each occasion, that on the day two Business Days prior to the commencement of
any Interest Period for a LIBOR Loan, the Agent shall have determined in good
faith (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower)
that Dollar deposits in the amount of such LIBOR Loan are not generally
available in the London Interbank market, or the Required Lenders shall have
determined that the rate at which such Dollar deposits are being offered will
not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of maintaining the
principal amount of such LIBOR 


                                      16.


<PAGE>   19
Loan during such Interest Period, the Agent or such Lenders shall promptly after
such determination shall have been made give telex or telecopy notice of such
determination, confirmed in writing, to the Borrower. In the event of such a
determination, any request by the Borrower for the making of, conversion to or
continuation of a LIBOR Loan shall be deemed to be a request for a Prime Rate
Loan. Each Lender shall use reasonable efforts to notify the Borrower of a
change in the circumstances causing the LIBOR Loans to be unavailable but shall
not incur any liability for any failure so to notify the Borrower.

        SECTION 2.4 INTEREST ON OVERDUE AMOUNTS. If the Borrower shall default
in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Loan or any other amount
becoming due hereunder, by scheduled maturity, notice of prepayment,
acceleration or otherwise, the Borrower shall on demand from time to time from
the Agent pay interest, to the extent permitted by law, on such defaulted amount
from the day after the due date thereof to the date of actual payment (after as
well as before judgment) at a rate per annum, equal to the interest rate
applicable to such Loan under Section 2.03 plus 2% per annum ("Default Rate").

        SECTION 2.5 BORROWING PROCEDURES. In order to effect a Loan under the
Revolving Credit Facility, the Borrower's Representative shall give the Agent
written notice or telephone notice (immediately confirmed by facsimile) not
later than 2:00 p.m. (Chicago time) on (a) the third Business Day prior to the
proposed borrowing date in the case of a LIBOR Loan, and (b) not later than 2:00
p.m. (Chicago time) one Business Day prior to the proposed borrowing date in the
case of a Prime Rate Loan (the "Notice of Borrowing"). The Borrower hereby
authorizes each Lender to extend advances and make Loans to the Borrower based
on written or telephone notice from Borrower's Representative. Each Notice of
Borrowing shall specify the principal amount of the Loans to be made pursuant to
such borrowing, the date of such borrowing (which shall be a Business Day),
whether the Loans being made pursuant to such Borrowing are to be initially
maintained as Prime Rate Loans or LIBOR Loans and, if LIBOR Loans, the initial
Interest Period to be applicable thereto. The Agent shall promptly give each
Lender notice of such proposed borrowing, of such Lender's Percentage thereof
and of the other matters required to be specified in the Notice of Borrowing.

        SECTION 2.6 DISBURSEMENT OF LOAN FUNDS.

               (a) PRO RATA AVAILABILITY. No later than 11:00 a.m. (Chicago
time) on the date specified in each Notice of Borrowing, each Lender will make
available to the Agent its Percentage share of each Loan requested to be made on
such date and the Agent shall make such amounts available to the Borrower by
2:00 p.m. (Chicago time) on such date in Chicago, Illinois in immediately
available funds in accordance with the Borrower's written directions.

               (b) FAILURE TO MAKE AVAILABLE. Unless the Agent shall have been
notified by any Lender prior to any date specified in any Notice of Borrowing
that such Lender does not intend to make available to the Agent such Loan on
such date, the Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available
to the Agent on such date and the Agent in its sole discretion may, but shall
not be obligated to, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount on
such date. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the
Agent by such Lender on or prior to such date, such Lender agrees to pay and the
Borrower agrees to repay to the Agent within two Business Days of demand such
corresponding amount together with 


                                      17.


<PAGE>   20
interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to
the Borrower until the date such amount is paid or repaid to the Agent, at the
interest rate applicable to such Loan. If such Lender shall pay to the Agent
such amount, such amount so paid shall constitute such Lender's Loan, and if
both such Lender and the Borrower shall have paid and repaid, respectively, such
corresponding amount, the Agent shall promptly pay over to the Borrower such
corresponding amount in same day funds, but the Borrower shall remain obligated
for all interest thereon to the extent not already paid by the Borrower pursuant
to the preceding sentence. Nothing in this Section 2.06(b) shall be deemed to
relieve any Lender of its obligation hereunder to make its Loan on any date
specified in any Notice of Borrowing.

        SECTION 2.7 PAYMENTS.

               (a) PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST. If not sooner paid, the outstanding
principal amount of each Loan made under the Revolving Credit Facility shall be
paid on the Revolving Credit Termination Date. If no Default or Event of Default
then exists, the Revolving Credit Termination Date may be extended by the
Lenders (i) for an additional one year period upon notice from the Agent to the
Borrower on or before the first anniversary of the Closing Date that all of the
Lenders have agreed to such extension and (ii) for an additional one year period
upon notice from the Agent to the Borrower on or before the second anniversary
of the Closing Date that all of the Lenders have agreed to such extension (it
being agreed that any such extension shall be at the sole discretion of each
Lender and no Lender shall have an obligation to agree to any such extension).
All payments by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, the Note or any other
Loan Document, whether in respect of principal, interest, or otherwise, shall be
made without setoff, counterclaim or deduction in same day funds by the Borrower
to the Agent. All such payments required to be made to the Lenders shall be made
not later than 2:00 p.m. (Chicago time) on the date due by wire transfer (or by
advice of transfer from or between accounts of the Borrower at the Agent) to the
Loan Account or such other account as the Agent shall specify from time to time
by notice to the Borrower. Funds received after that time shall be deemed to
have been received by the Agent on the next following Business Day. The Agent
shall pay to each Lender its applicable portion of each such payment promptly
after receipt. Whenever any payment to be made shall otherwise be due on a day
which is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding
Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in computing interest,
if any, in connection with such payment.

               (b) LOAN ACCOUNT. The Borrower shall maintain such demand deposit
accounts ("Loan Account") with the Agent as the Agent may require into which all
advances of the Loans by the Lenders to the Borrower shall be made. The Borrower
hereby authorizes the Agent, and the Agent may, in its sole and absolute
discretion, charge for any payments due hereunder, under the Notes and under the
other Loan Documents, the Loan Account or any other bank account of the Borrower
with the Agent; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 2.07(b)
shall not affect the Borrower's obligation to pay when due all amounts payable
by the Borrower under this Agreement, the Notes and any other Loan Document,
whether or not there are sufficient funds in the Loan Account or any other bank
account of the Borrower.

               (c) MANDATORY PAYMENTS. If at any time the Revolving Credit
Utilizations exceed the Revolving Credit Availability, the Borrower immediately
shall pay to the Agent an amount equal to such excess, which will be applied (in
the Agent's sole discretion) to the 


                                      18.


<PAGE>   21
outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Credit Notes or held by the Agent
as cash collateral to secure the obligations of the Borrower hereunder with
respect to the Letters of Credit.

               (d) APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. Effective from and after an Event of
Default, the Borrower irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of
payments and collections received by the Agent from or on behalf of the
Borrower, and the Borrower agrees that the Agent shall have the continuing
exclusive right to apply and reapply any and all such payments and collections
against the Obligations in such manner as the Agent may deem appropriate,
notwithstanding any entry by the Agent upon any of its books and records. To the
extent that the Borrower makes a payment or payments to the Agent or the Agent
receives any payment or proceeds of the Collateral for the Borrower's benefit,
which payments or proceeds or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated,
declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be
repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy act, state
or federal law, common law or equitable case, then, to the extent of such
payment or proceeds received, the Obligations or part thereof intended to be
satisfied shall be revived and shall continue in full force and effect, as if
such payments or proceeds had not been received by the Agent.

               (e) TAXES ON PAYMENTS. All payments made by the Borrower under
the Notes or this Agreement shall be made free and clear of, and without
deduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future income,
stamp or other taxes, levies, assessments, imposts, deductions, charges, or
withholdings imposed by any foreign, Federal, state, local or other jurisdiction
or any governmental agency thereof or political subdivision or taxing authority
therein, excluding taxes imposed on the overall net income of a Lender by the
jurisdiction in which such Lender has its principal office (all such
non-excluded taxes being hereinafter called "Taxes"). If any Taxes are required
to be withheld from any amounts so payable to a Lender hereunder or under the
Notes, the amounts so payable to such Lender shall be increased to the extent
necessary to yield to such Lender (after payment of all Taxes) interest or any
such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in
the Notes or this Agreement. If (i) the Borrower or any other Person is required
by law to make any deduction or withholding on account of any Taxes or other
amount from any sum paid or expressed to be payable by the Borrower to the
Lenders under this Agreement; or (ii) any party to this Agreement (or any Person
on its behalf) other than the Borrower is required by law to make any deduction
or withholding from, or any payment on or calculated by reference to the amount
of, any such sum received or receivable by the Lenders under this Agreement,
then: (A) the Borrower shall notify the Agent of any such requirement or any
change in any such requirement as soon as the Borrower becomes aware of it; (B)
such Borrower shall pay any such Taxes or other amount before the date on which
penalties attached thereto become due and payable, such payment to be made (if
the liability to pay is imposed on the Borrower) for its own account or (if that
liability is imposed on any other party to this Agreement) on behalf of and in
the name of that party; (C) the sum payable by the Borrower in respect of which
the relevant deduction, withholding or payment is required shall be increased to
the extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of that deduction,
withholding or payment, that party receives on the due date and retains (free
from any liability in respect of any such deduction, withholding or payment) a
sum equal to that which it would have received and so retained had no such
deduction, withholding or payment been required or made; and (D) within thirty
(30) days after payment of any sum from 


                                      19.


<PAGE>   22
which the Borrower is required by law to make any deduction or withholding, and
within thirty (30) days after the due date of payment of any Taxes or other
amount which it is required by clause (B) above to pay, it shall deliver to the
Agent all such certified documents and other evidence as to the making of such
deduction, withholding or payment as (1) are reasonably satisfactory to other
affected parties as proof of such deduction, withholding or payment and of the
remittance thereof to the relevant taxing or other authority and (2) are
reasonably required by any such party to enable it to claim a tax credit with
respect to such deduction, withholding or payment. If the Borrower fails to pay
any Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority, the Borrower shall
indemnify the Lenders for any incremental taxes, interest or penalties that may
become payable by the Lenders as a result of any such failure.

               (f) NON-US LENDERS. Each Lender that is not incorporated under
the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof (each a "Non-US
Lender") agrees that it will, not less than 10 Business Days after the date of
this Agreement, (i) deliver to each of the Borrower and the Agent two duly
completed copies of United States Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or 4224,
certifying in either case that such Lender is entitled to receive payments under
this Agreement without deduction or withholding of any United States federal
income taxes, and (ii) deliver to each of the Borrower and the Agent a United
States Internal Revenue Form W-8 or W-9, as the case may be, and certify that it
is entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding tax. Each such
Lender further undertakes to deliver to each of the Borrower and the Agent (x)
renewals or additional copies of such form (or any successor form) on or before
the date that such form expires or becomes obsolete, and (y) after the
occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent forms so delivered
by it, such additional forms or amendments thereto as may be reasonably
requested by the Borrower or the Agent. All forms or amendments described in the
preceding sentence shall certify that such Lender is entitled to receive
payments under this Agreement without deduction or withholding of any United
States federal income taxes, unless an event (including without limitation any
change in treaty, law or regulation) has occurred prior to the date on which any
such delivery would otherwise be required which renders all such forms
inapplicable or which would prevent such Lender from duly completing and
delivering any such form or amendment with respect to it and such Lender advises
the Borrower and the Agent that it is not capable of receiving payments without
any deduction or withholding of United States federal income tax. If a Lender
has determined that it will be subject to any such deduction or counterclaim,
that Lender will fund and maintain Loans at another branch or office of that
Lender which would not subject such Lender to such deduction or counterclaim if,
in that Lender's opinion, the same would not adversely affect it or its Loans or
the income obtained therefrom. For any period during which such a Lender has
failed to provide the Borrower with such appropriate forms (unless such failure
is due to a change in treaty, law or regulation, or any change in the
interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority,
occurring subsequent to the date on which a form originally was required to be
provided), such Lender shall not be entitled to indemnification under this
Section 2.07(f) with respect to Taxes imposed by the United States; provided,
however, that, should a Lender which is otherwise exempt from or subject to a
reduced rate of withholding tax become subject to Taxes because of its failure
to deliver a form required above, the Borrower shall take such steps as such
Lender shall reasonably request to assist such Lender to recover such Taxes. Any
Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax
with respect to payments under this Agreement or any Note pursuant to the law of
any relevant jurisdiction or any treaty shall deliver to the Borrower (with a
copy to the Agent), at the time or times 


                                      20.


<PAGE>   23
prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation
prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without
withholding or at a reduced rate.

        SECTION 2.8 LETTERS OF CREDIT.

               (a) OBLIGATION TO ISSUE. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, the Agent hereby agrees to issue for the account of the Borrower
one or more Letters of Credit, up to an aggregate face amount at any time
outstanding equal to the lesser of (i) the unused amount of the Revolving Credit
Availability, and (ii) $2,000,000, from time to time during the term of this
Agreement up to the Business Day which is 15 Business Days prior to the
Revolving Credit Termination Date. The Letter of Credit Obligations shall
constitute financial accommodations under the Revolving Credit Facility and
shall increase the utilization of the Revolving Credit Facility by the stated
amount of the Letter of Credit; provided, however, that with respect to Loans
made to reimburse the Agent for a drawing under a Letter of Credit, Letter of
Credit Obligations shall not include the amount of such drawing.

               (b) TYPES AND AMOUNTS. The Agent shall not have any obligation to
issue any Letter of Credit at any time: (i) if the aggregate maximum amount then
available for drawing under Letters of Credit, after giving effect to the Letter
of Credit requested hereunder, shall exceed any limit imposed by law or
regulation upon the Agent; or (ii) if the proposed Letter of Credit has an
expiration date later than five Business Days immediately preceding the
Revolving Credit Termination Date.

               (c) CONDITIONS. In addition to being subject to the satisfaction
of the conditions precedent contained in Article IV, the obligation of the Agent
to issue any Letter of Credit is subject to the satisfaction in full of the
following conditions: (i) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Agent, at
such times and in such manner as the Agent may prescribe, a Letter of Credit
Reimbursement Agreement (excluding standard provisions requiring additional
collateral) and such other documents and materials as may be required by the
Agent pursuant to the terms thereof, and the terms of the proposed Letter of
Credit shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and shall be consistent
with the Agent's ordinary practice with respect to terms of its letters of
credit; and (ii) as of the date of issuance of the Letter of Credit, no order,
judgment or decree of any court, arbitrator or governmental authority shall
purport by its terms to enjoin or restrain the Agent from issuing the Letter of
Credit and no law, rule or regulation applicable to the Agent and no request or
directive (whether or not having the force of law and whether or not the failure
to comply therewith would be unlawful) from any governmental authority with
jurisdiction over the Agent shall prohibit or request the Agent to refrain from
the issuance of Letters of Credit generally or the issuance of that Letter of
Credit.

               (d) ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT. The Borrower shall give the
Agent written notice of a requested issuance of a Letter of Credit, which Letter
of Credit shall be issued in a manner and within such period of time consistent
with the Agent's ordinary practice with respect to issuing letters of credit.
Such notice shall be irrevocable and in the form of the customary letter of
credit application used by the Agent and shall specify (i) the stated amount of
the Letter of Credit requested, (ii) the effective date (which day shall be a
Business Day) of issuance of such requested Letter of Credit, (iii) the date on
which such requested Letter of Credit is to 


                                      21.


<PAGE>   24
expire (subject to Section 2.08(b)(ii), (iv) the Person for whose benefit the
requested Letter of Credit is to be issued, and (v) whether such Letter of
Credit is a commercial or standby Letter of Credit and (vi) the amount of Letter
of Credit Obligations then outstanding.

               (e) EXTENSION/AMENDMENT OF LETTERS OF CREDIT. The Agent shall not
be obligated to extend or amend any Letter of Credit if the issuance of a new
Letter of Credit having the same terms as such Letter of Credit as so extended
or amended would be prohibited by Section 2.08(b).

               (f) REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATIONS; DUTIES OF THE AGENT.
Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in any Letter of Credit
Reimbursement Agreement: (i) the Borrower shall reimburse the Agent for drawings
under a Letter of Credit issued by it no later than the earlier of (A) the time
specified in such Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement, and (B) one Business
Day after the payment by the Agent of such drawing; and (ii) any Reimbursement
Obligation with respect to any Letter of Credit shall bear interest from the
date of the relevant drawing under the pertinent Letter of Credit at the
interest rate applicable to Prime Rate Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility
for one Business Day after such date and thereafter at the interest rate for
past due Loans in accordance with Section 2.04. In the event this Agreement and
any Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement are inconsistent, the terms of this
Agreement shall prevail.

               (g) PAYMENT OF REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATIONS. The Borrower agrees to
pay to the Agent the amount of all Reimbursement Obligations, interest and other
amounts payable to the Lenders under or in connection with any Letter of Credit
issued on behalf of the Borrower immediately when due, irrespective of any
claim, setoff, defense or other right which the Borrower may have at any time
against the Agent, any Lender or any other Person.

               (h) COMPENSATION FOR LETTERS OF CREDIT. The Borrower shall pay to
the Agent for the ratable benefit of each Lender on the first Business Day of
each calendar quarter a letter of credit fee (the "Letter of Credit Fees") equal
to 1.5% per annum of (i) the stated amount of each commercial letter of credit
and (ii) the aggregate amount permitted to be drawn under each standby Letter of
Credit, in any case with a minimum fee of $200 per year per Letter of Credit.
The Agent shall promptly upon receipt thereof, distribute to each Lender its
respective Percentage of any Letter of Credit Fees received hereunder. All
Letter of Credit Fees shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of
days elapsed in a year of 360 days.

               (i) INDEMNIFICATION; EXONERATION. In addition to amounts payable
as elsewhere provided in this Section 2.08, the Borrower hereby agrees to
protect, indemnify, pay and save the Agent and each of the Lenders harmless from
and against any and all loss, liability, damage and expense (including
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) which the Agent or a Lender may incur
or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (i) the issuance of or
participation in a Letter of Credit, other than as a result of its gross
negligence or willful misconduct or (ii) the failure of the Agent to honor a
drawing under such Letter of Credit as a result of any act or omission, whether
rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto governmental
authority. As between the Borrower and the Agent and the Lenders, the Borrower
assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of or misuse of such Letter of
Credit by the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in
limitation of the foregoing, subject 


                                      22.


<PAGE>   25
to the provisions of the Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreements, the Agent
and the Lenders shall not be responsible for (A) the form, validity,
sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document submitted by
any party in connection with the application for and issuance of a Letter of
Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid,
insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged, (B) the validity or sufficiency
of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign
a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in
whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason,
(C) failure of the beneficiary of a Letter of Credit to comply duly with
conditions required in order to draw upon such Letter of Credit, (D) errors,
omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages,
by mail, cable, telegraph, telex, or other similar form of teletransmission or
otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher, (E) errors in interpretation of
technical terms; (F) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any
document required in order to make a drawing under any Letter of Credit or of
the proceeds thereof, (G) the misapplication by the beneficiary of a Letter of
Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under such Letter of Credit, and (H) any
consequences arising from causes beyond the control of a Lender, except in each
case if caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Agent or a
Lender. In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific
provisions hereinabove set forth, any action taken or omitted by the Agent or a
Lender under or in connection with Letters of Credit issued on behalf of the
Borrower or any related certificates, if taken or omitted in good faith, shall
not in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Agent or
such Lender, put the Agent or any Lender under any resulting liability to the
Borrower or relieve the Borrower of any of its obligations hereunder to the
Agent or any Lender.

               (j) LETTER OF CREDIT PARTICIPATIONS. The Agent irrevocably agrees
to grant and hereby grants to each other Lender, and, to induce the Agent to
issue Letters of Credit hereunder, each other Lender irrevocably agrees to
accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from the Agent, on the
terms and conditions hereinafter stated, for such Lender's own account and risk
an undivided interest equal to such Lender's Percentage in obligations and
rights under each Letter of Credit issued hereunder and the amount of each draft
paid by the Agent thereunder. Each Lender (other than the Agent) unconditionally
and irrevocably agrees with the Agent that, if a draft is paid under any Letter
of Credit for which the Agent is not reimbursed in full by the Borrower in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such Lender shall pay to the Agent
upon demand at the Agent's address for notices specified herein an amount equal
to such Lender's Percentage of the amount of such draft, or any part thereof,
which is not so reimbursed. Whenever, at any time after the Agent has made
payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from another Lender its pro
rata share of such payment in accordance with this paragraph, the Agent receives
any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly from the Borrower
or otherwise, including proceeds of collateral applied thereto by the Agent), or
any payment of interest on account thereof, the Agent will distribute to such
other Lender its Percentage share thereof; provided, however, that in the event
that any such payment received by the Agent shall be required to be returned by
the Agent, such other Lender shall return to the Agent the portion thereof
previously distributed by the Agent to it.


                                      23.


<PAGE>   26
        SECTION 2.9 CONVERSION OPTIONS; CONTINUANCE.

               (a) CONVERSION REQUIREMENTS. Provided that no Default or Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower may elect from time to time
to convert a Prime Rate Loan, or any portion thereof, to a LIBOR Loan by giving
the Lenders at least three Business Days' prior irrevocable notice of conversion
(which notice must be received by the Lenders prior to 11:00 a.m. (Chicago time)
(the "Notice of Conversion"). If the date on which a Prime Rate Loan is to be
converted to a LIBOR Loan is not a Business Day, then such conversion shall be
made on the next succeeding Business Day, and during the period from such date
to such succeeding Business Day, such Prime Rate Loan shall bear interest as if
it were a Prime Rate Loan. All or any part of outstanding borrowings may be
converted as provided herein.

               (b) CONTINUANCE. Any LIBOR Loan may be continued as such, in
whole or in part, upon the expiration of an Interest Period with respect thereto
if the Borrower gives the Lenders irrevocable notice of continuance (which
notice must be received by the Lenders prior to 11:00 a.m. (Chicago time), at
least three Business Days prior to the date of expiration of the Interest Period
expiring with respect to the LIBOR Loan which is requested to be continued),
specifying (i) the LIBOR Loan, or portion thereof, requested to be continued;
(ii) the date of expiration of the Interest Period expiring with respect to the
LIBOR Loan, or portion thereof, which is requested to be continued; and (iii)
the length of the Interest Period with respect to such LIBOR Loan, or portion
thereof, after the continuation thereof; provided, however, that no LIBOR Loans
may be continued as such when any Default or Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing, but shall be automatically converted to a Prime Rate Loan on the
last day of the Interest Period for such LIBOR Loan (the "Notice of
Continuance"). If the Borrower does not comply with the notice provisions of
this clause (b), such LIBOR Loan shall be automatically converted to a Prime
Rate Loan upon the expiration of the Interest Period with respect thereto.

               (c) RESTATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Any Notice of
Conversion or Continuance pursuant to this Section 2.09 shall be deemed to be a
representation that all of the representations and warranties of the Borrower
contained in this Agreement shall then be true and correct in all material
respects as if made on such date, except to the extent that such representations
and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, and that no Default or Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

        SECTION 2.10 REQUIREMENTS OF LAW.

               (a) INCREASED COSTS. Notwithstanding any other provisions herein,
in the event that the introduction of or any change in any law, rule,
regulation, treaty or directive or in the interpretation or application thereof,
or compliance by the Agent or a Lender with any request or directive (whether or
not having the force of law) from any central bank or other governmental
authority, agency or instrumentality or regulatory body:

                      (i) subjects the Agent or such Lender to any tax of any
kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, the Notes, the other Loan
Documents or the Loans made hereunder, or changes the basis of taxation of
payments to the Agent or such Lender of principal, interest or any other amount
payable hereunder (except for changes in the rate of tax 


                                      24.


<PAGE>   27
imposed on the overall net income of the Agent or such Lender by the United
States, any state or subdivision thereof);

                      (ii) imposes, modifies, holds applicable any reserve,
special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held by,
or deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances or loans by,
or other credit extended by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of
the Agent or such Lender (which is not otherwise included in the determination
of the LIBOR Rate hereunder); or

                      (iii) imposes on the Agent or such Lender or the London
interbank market any other condition;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to the Agent or
such Lender of agreeing to make, making, continuing or maintaining or
participating in LIBOR Loans, or to reduce any amount receivable thereunder or
to increase the withholding taxes payable then, in any such case, the Borrower
shall pay the Agent or such Lender, within 15 days after the demand by the Agent
or such Lender, any additional amounts necessary to compensate the Agent or such
Lender on an after-tax basis for such additional cost or reduced amount
receivable or increased withholding taxes payable which the Agent or such Lender
deems to be material as determined by the Agent or such Lender with respect to
this Agreement, the Notes, the other Loan Documents or the Loans made hereunder.

               (b) CAPITAL ADEQUACY. In the event that any Lender shall have
determined that, after the date hereof, the adoption of any law, rule,
regulation, treaty or guideline regarding capital adequacy, or any change in any
of the foregoing or in the interpretation or application of any of the foregoing
or compliance by such Lender with any request or directive regarding capital
adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other
governmental authority, agency or instrumentality or regulatory body, does or
shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender's or its
parent's capital as a consequence of its obligations under this Agreement to a
level below that which such Lender or such parent could have achieved but for
such adoption, change, or compliance (taking into consideration such Lender's or
such parent's policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by
such Lender to be material, then from time to time, after submission by such
Lender to the Borrower of a written request therefore, the Borrower shall pay to
such Lender, within 15 days after its demand, such additional amount or amounts
as will compensate such Lender or such parent on an after-tax basis for such
reduction.

If a Lender has determined that it (or its parent) will be subject to any such
reduction, that Lender will fund and maintain Loans at another branch or office
of that Lender which would not subject such Lender (or its parent) to such
reduction if, in that Lender's opinion, the same would not adversely affect such
Lender (or its parent) or its Loans or the income obtained therefrom.

               (c) CERTIFICATE FOR CLAIM. If a Lender or its parent becomes
entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.10, it shall
promptly notify the Borrower of the event by reason of which it has become so
entitled. A certificate setting forth in reasonable detail any additional
amounts payable pursuant to the foregoing sentence submitted by such Lender or
its parent shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower in the absence of
manifest 


                                      25.


<PAGE>   28
error. The provisions of this Section 2.10 shall survive the repayment of the
Loans and the termination of this Agreement.

               (d) NO WAIVER. Failure on the part of any Lender or its parent to
demand compensation for any increased costs or reduction in amounts received or
receivable or reduction in return on capital with respect to any period shall
not constitute a waiver of such party's right to demand compensation with
respect to such period or any other period. The protection of this Section 2.10
shall be available to such party regardless of any possible contention of the
invalidity or inapplicability of the law, rule, regulation, guideline or other
change or condition which shall have occurred or been imposed; provided, however
that if such party shall have recouped any amount theretofore paid to it by the
Borrower under this Section 2.10, such Lender shall pay to the Borrower an
amount equal to the net recoupment so received by such party, as determined in
good faith by such party.

        SECTION 2.11 ILLEGALITY. Each Lender may make or maintain its LIBOR
Loans at or for the credit of any branch, subsidiary or affiliate office inside
or outside the United States or any international banking facility within the
United States, as such Lender may elect from time to time. Notwithstanding any
other provisions herein, if any law, rule, regulation, treaty or directive or
any change therein or in the interpretation or application thereof, shall make
it unlawful for a Lender to maintain LIBOR Loans as contemplated by this
Agreement, the agreement of such Lender to make or maintain LIBOR Loans shall
terminate and all outstanding LIBOR Loans of such Lender shall be converted
automatically to Prime Rate Loans, on the last day of the then current Interest
Period or within such earlier period as required by law.

        SECTION 2.12 INDEMNITY. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender and
to hold each Lender harmless from any cost, loss or expense which each such
party may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) the Borrower making a payment
or prepayment of principal or interest on any LIBOR Loan (including, without
limitation, through a conversion to the same or a different type of Loan or
pursuant to Section 2.11 above) on a day which is not the last day of an
Interest Period with respect thereto, (b) any failure by the Borrower to borrow
or convert any Loan hereunder after a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of
Conversion has been given (in the case of LIBOR Loans), (c) default by the
Borrower in making any prepayment after the Borrower has given a notice of
prepayment, and (d) any acceleration of the maturity of the Loans in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any such
reasonable cost, loss or expense arising in liquidating the Loans and from
interest or fees payable by the Lender to lenders of funds obtained by it in
order to maintain the Loans hereunder. A certificate setting forth in reasonable
detail any additional amounts payable pursuant to the preceding sentence
submitted by a Lender shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower absent
manifest error. The provisions of this Section 2.12 shall survive the repayment
of the Loans and the termination of this Agreement.

        SECTION 2.13 SHARING OF SETOFFS. Each Lender agrees that if it shall,
through the exercise of a right of banker's lien, setoff or counterclaim against
the Borrower, or pursuant to a secured claim under Section 506 of Title 11 of
the United States Code or other security or interest arising from, or in lieu
of, such secured claim, received by such Lender under any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency or other similar law or otherwise, or by any other means, obtain
payment (voluntary or involuntary) in respect of any Loan or any other amount
owing 


                                      26.


<PAGE>   29
hereunder or under the Notes or the Loan Documents (other than or amounts
payable pursuant to Sections 2.10, 2.11, and 2.12) as a result of which the
unpaid principal portion of its Loans shall be proportionately less than the
unpaid principal portion of the Loans of any other Lender, it shall
simultaneously purchase from such other Lender at face value a participation in
the Loans of such other Lender, so that the aggregate unpaid principal amount of
the Loans and such other amounts held by each Lender shall be in the same
proportion to the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Loans then
outstanding as the principal amount of its Loans prior to such exercise of
banker's lien, setoff or counterclaim or other event was to the principal amount
of all Loans outstanding prior to such exercise of banker's lien, setoff or
counterclaim or other event; provided, however, that, if any such purchase or
purchases or adjustments shall be made pursuant to this Section 2.13 and the
payment giving rise thereto shall thereafter be recovered, such purchase or
purchases or adjustments shall be rescinded to the extent of such recovery and
the purchase price or prices or adjustment restored without interest. The
Borrower expressly consents to the foregoing arrangements and agrees that any
Lender holding a participation in a Loan deemed to have been so purchased may
exercise any and all rights of banker's lien, setoff or counterclaim with
respect to any and all moneys owing by the Borrower to such Lender by reason
thereof as fully as if such Lender had made a loan directly to the Borrower in
the amount of such participation.

        SECTION 2.14 FEES. The Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the benefit
of the Lenders a fee of .25% per annum of the average daily unused Revolving
Credit Commitment, payable in arrears on the first Business Day of each calendar
quarter. Commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of
days elapsed on the basis of a year consisting of 360 days.

        SECTION 2.15 OPTIONAL REPLACEMENT OF LENDERS. Within 15 days after
receipt by the Borrower of written notice and demand from any Lender for payment
pursuant to Section 2.07(e) or 2.10 or, as provided in Section 9.09, in the case
of certain refusals by any Lender to consent to certain proposed amendments,
modifications, terminations or waivers with respect to this Agreement that have
been approved by Required Lenders (any such Lender demanding such payment or
refusing to consent being referred to herein as an "Affected Lender"), the
Borrower may, at its option, notify the Agent and such Affected Lender of its
intention to obtain, at Borrower's expense, a replacement Lender ("Replacement
Lender") for such Affected Lender, which Replacement Lender shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent. In the event the Borrower obtains a Replacement
Lender that will refinance all outstanding Obligations owed to such Affected
Lender and assume its Revolving Credit Commitment hereunder within ninety (90)
days following notice of Borrower's intention to do so, the Affected Lender
shall sell and assign all of its rights and delegate all of its obligations
under this Agreement to such Replacement Lender in accordance with the
provisions of Section 9.04; provided, however, that the Borrower has reimbursed
such Affected Lender for any administrative fee payable pursuant to Section 9.04
and, in any case where such replacement occurs as the result of a demand for
payment pursuant to Section 2.07(e) or 2.10, paid all amounts required to be
paid to such Affected Lender pursuant to Section 2.07(e) or 2.10 through the
date of such sale and assignment.


                                      27.


<PAGE>   30
                                   ARTICLE 3

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

        To induce the Lenders to execute this Agreement and perform their
obligations hereunder, the Borrower represents and warrants to the Agent and the
Lenders as follows:

        SECTION 3.1 ORGANIZATION; CORPORATE POWERS. The Borrower and its
Subsidiaries are each duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of states of their respective organization. Each of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries has the requisite power and authority, including all
material licenses, registrations, permits, franchises, patents, copyrights,
trademarks, trade names, consents and approvals, to own its property and assets
and to carry on its business as now conducted and is qualified to do business
and in good standing in every jurisdiction where such qualification is required,
except where failure to so qualify would not be reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower has all requisite power and authority to
consummate the Transactions.

        SECTION 3.2 AUTHORIZATION. The consummation of the Transactions (a) has
been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action of the Borrower and (b)
will not (i) violate (A) any applicable provision of law, statute, rule or
regulation (including Regulations G, T, U or X) or the articles of incorporation
or other constitutive documents or the by-laws or regulations of the Borrower,
(B) any order of any court, or any rule, regulation or order of any other agency
of government binding upon the Borrower, or (C) any provisions of any material
indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower is a party, or by
which the Borrower or any of its respective properties or assets is or may be
bound, (ii) be in conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (alone or
with notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any indenture, agreement
or other instrument referred to in clause (b)(i)(C) above or (iii) result in the
creation or imposition of any Lien (other than in favor of the Lender as
contemplated by this Agreement) upon any property or assets of the Borrower.

        SECTION 3.3 GOVERNMENTAL APPROVAL. Except as specifically provided by
the Loan Documents, no registration with or consent or approval of, or other
action by, any federal, state or other governmental agency, authority or
regulatory body is or will be required in connection with the consummation of
the Transactions by the Borrower.

        SECTION 3.4 ENFORCEABILITY. This Agreement constitutes, and each of the
other Loan Documents when duly executed and delivered by the Borrower will
constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower enforceable in
accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited
by equitable principles, bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally.

        SECTION 3.5 FINANCIAL MATTERS. The Borrower has heretofore furnished to
the Lenders audited financial statements for the Fiscal Year ending March 29,
1997 and audited financial statements for the portion of the Fiscal Year ending
December 31, 1997, which financial statements fairly state the Borrower's
consolidated financial condition and results of operations as of the dates, and
for the periods, set forth therein. Such financial statements and the notes
thereto, together with the schedules to this Agreement, disclose all material
liabilities, direct or 


                                      28.


<PAGE>   31
contingent, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof. The
financial statements referred to in this Section 3.05 have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP.

        SECTION 3.6 NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Since December 31, 1997 (March
31, 1998, with respect to clause (a) of the definition of Material Adverse
Effect) there has been no event or occurrence that would be reasonably likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect.

        SECTION 3.7 SUBSIDIARIES. As of the Closing Date, each of the
Subsidiaries of the Borrower and the Parent are listed in the Disclosure
Schedule. Neither the Parent nor the Borrower is a partner or joint venturer in
any partnerships or joint ventures.

        SECTION 3.8 LITIGATION. Except as described in the Disclosure Schedule,
there are no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity or by or before
any arbitrator or any governmental instrumentality or other agency or regulatory
authority now pending or threatened in writing against or, to the Borrower's
knowledge, otherwise affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the
businesses, assets or rights of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (a)
which involve this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any of the
Transactions, or (b) as to which, if adversely determined, would be,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

        SECTION 3.9 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Neither the Parent, the Borrower nor
any of its Subsidiaries are in violation in any material respect of any
applicable law, including but not limited to, any Environmental Law, or in
default with respect to any applicable judgment, writ, injunction, decree, rule
or regulation of any court or governmental agency or instrumentality.

        SECTION 3.10 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. After giving effect to the
Transactions: (a) the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, the methods
and means employed by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the operation thereof
(including all operations and conditions at or in the properties of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries), and the assets owned, leased, held or operated by the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, comply in all material respects with all
applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances and codes of every kind,
including Environmental Laws; (b) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have
obtained all permits under Environmental Laws necessary to its operations other
than such permits the absence of which could not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, and all such permits are in good
standing and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all
material terms and conditions of such permits; and (c) neither the Borrower nor
its Subsidiaries have received (i) any claim or notice of violation, lien,
complaint, suit, order or other claim or notice to the effect that it is or may
be liable to any Person as a result of (A) the environmental condition of any of
their respective properties or any other property, or (B) the release or
threatened release of any Hazardous Materials, or (ii) any letter or request for
information under Section 104 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (42 U.S.C. Section 9604), or
comparable state laws, and to the best of the Borrower's knowledge, none of the
operations of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries are the subject of any federal or
state investigation evaluating whether any remedial action is needed to respond
to a release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material at the Borrower's
or its Subsidiaries' properties or at any other location, including any location
to which the Borrower or its Subsidiaries have transported, or arranged for the
transportation of, any Hazardous Materials.


                                      29.


<PAGE>   32
        SECTION 3.11 FEDERAL RESERVE REGULATIONS. Neither the Parent, the
Borrower nor its Subsidiaries are engaged principally, or as of one of their
important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of
purchasing or carrying Margin Stock. Neither the Loans nor any of the proceeds
thereof, are for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate of (a)
buying or carrying Margin Stock, or (b) extending credit to others for the
purpose of buying or carrying Margin Stock, or (c) refunding indebtedness
originally incurred for such purpose, or for any purpose which entails a
violation of, or which is inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulations of
the Board, including Regulations G, T, U and X thereof.

        SECTION 3.12 TAXES. Each of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries
have filed or caused to be filed all Federal, state and local tax returns which
are required to be filed by it, and has paid or caused to be paid all taxes
shown to be due and payable on such returns or on any assessments received by
it, other than any taxes or assessments, the validity of which the Borrower is
contesting in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and with respect to which
the Borrower shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves.

        SECTION 3.13 LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT. Each of the Borrower, each of its
Subsidiaries and each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with those
provisions of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, and the regulations and published
interpretations thereunder which are applicable to the Borrower, its
Subsidiaries or such Plan. As of the date hereof, no Reportable Event has
occurred with respect to any Pension Plan as to which the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries was required to file a report with the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation. No Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) has any material
amount of unfunded benefit liabilities (within the meaning of Section
4001(a)(18) of ERISA) or any accumulated funding deficiency (within the meaning
of Section 302(a)(2) of ERISA), whether or not waived, and neither the Borrower
nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has incurred or expects to incur any material
withdrawal liability under Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA to a Multiemployer
Plan. No Plan of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries obligates any of them to
provide post-retirement medical benefits, except as may be required by the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986. The Borrower and its
Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all labor and
employment laws, rules, regulations and requirements of all applicable domestic
and foreign jurisdictions. There are no pending of threatened labor disputes,
work stoppages or strikes.

        SECTION 3.14 INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT; PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT.
Neither the Parent, the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is (a) an
"investment company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment company" within
the meaning of, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, or (b) a "holding company" or "subsidiary company" as defined
in, or subject to regulation under, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of
1935, as amended.

        SECTION 3.15 CAPITALIZATION. The record and beneficial owners of the
equity interests of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries of the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries of the Parent are correctly set forth in the Disclosure Schedule.
All such equity interests are owned free and clear of all Liens. The owners of
such equity interests have the unencumbered right to vote all of such interests.
Except as described on the Disclosure Schedule, there are no outstanding
options, 


                                      30.


<PAGE>   33
warrants or rights to purchase, nor any agreement for the subscription, purchase
or acquisition of, any of such interests.

        SECTION 3.16 PROPERTIES; SECURITY INTERESTS. Each of the Borrower and
each of its Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to, or valid leasehold
interests in, all of its material assets and properties reflected in the
December 31, 1997 balance sheet, except for (a) such properties as are no longer
useful in the conduct of its business or have been disposed of in the ordinary
course of business, subject to no Liens except for Permitted Liens and (b)
intellectual property licensed by the Borrower from Founding Partners. All such
assets and properties are in good repair, working order and condition and all
such assets and properties are owned by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as
the case may be, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens. The
Security Agreements create and grant to the Lenders a valid and perfected
first-priority security interest in all the Collateral, subject only to
Permitted Liens. All real estate owned or leased by the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries ("Premises") is listed in the Disclosure Schedule.

        SECTION 3.17 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; LICENSES. Each of the Borrower and
each of its Subsidiaries possesses adequate assets, licenses, patents, patent
applications, copyrights, trademarks, trademark applications and tradenames to
continue to conduct its business as heretofore conducted. No event has occurred
which permits, or after notice or lapse of time or both would permit, the
revocation or termination of any of the foregoing which taken in isolation or
when considered with all other such revocations or terminations would be
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Borrower nor
any of its Subsidiaries have notice or knowledge of any fact or any past,
present or threatened occurrence that would be reasonably likely to preclude or
impair the Borrower's or any such Subsidiaries' ability to retain or obtain any
authorization necessary for the operation of their respective businesses.

        SECTION 3.18 SOLVENCY. Neither the Parent nor the Borrower is insolvent
and the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
pursuant thereto and the consummation of the Transactions will not render either
such Person insolvent. The fair value and present fair saleable value of the
respective assets of the Parent exceeds its respective liabilities. The fair
value and present fair saleable value of the respective assets of the Borrower
exceeds its respective liabilities. The Parent and the Borrower understand that
in this context "insolvent" means that the present fair saleable value of the
total assets of a Person is less than the amount of the total respective
liabilities of that Person. The Parent and the Borrower also understand that the
term "liabilities" includes any legal liability, whether matured or unmatured,
liquidated or unliquidated, absolute, fixed or contingent (with contingent
liabilities valued based on the Borrower's or the Parent's, as applicable, good
faith estimate of the probability of occurrence). The Parent and the Borrower
will be able to pay its respective debts as they become absolute and mature. In
the event that the maximum amount available under this Agreement is borrowed by
the Borrower, neither the Parent nor the Borrower will incur debts beyond its
respective ability to pay as they mature. The borrowing of the maximum amount
available under this Agreement, and the granting of liens by the Parent and the
Borrower on their respective properties pursuant to this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents executed pursuant thereto, will not leave the Parent or the
Borrower, as the case may be, with property remaining in such Person's hands
constituting unreasonably small capital with which to conduct its business.


                                      31.


<PAGE>   34
        SECTION 3.19 COMPLETE DISCLOSURE. All factual information furnished by
or on behalf of the Borrower to the Agent or the Lenders for purposes of or in
connection with this Agreement or the Transactions is, and all other such
factual information hereafter furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower will be,
true and accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such
information is furnished and not incomplete by omitting to state any fact
necessary to make such information not misleading at such time in light of the
circumstances under which such information was provided.

                                   ARTICLE 4

                             CONDITIONS TO THE LOAN

        SECTION 4.1 GENERAL CONDITIONS. The obligation of the Lenders to make
each Loan or issue each Letter of Credit is subject to the satisfaction of the
Lenders with the fulfillment of the following conditions precedent:

               (a) REVOLVING CREDIT AVAILABILITY. With respect to a borrowing
under the Revolving Credit Facility, after giving effect to such Loan or the
issuance of such Letter of Credit, the Revolving Credit Utilizations will not
exceed the Revolving Credit Availability.

               (b) BORROWING NOTICE. The Lender shall have received a notice of
such borrowing or issuance of such Letter of Credit as required by Section 2.05
or Section 2.08, as the case may be.

               (c) REPRESENTATIONS. The representations and warranties set forth
in Article III shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same
effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such
representations and warranties refer to an earlier date, in which case they
shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date.

               (d) COMPLIANCE. The Borrower, the Parent, the Foreign
Subsidiaries and the Inactive Subsidiaries shall be in compliance in all
material respects with all the terms and provisions contained herein and in the
other Loan Documents to be observed or performed by them, and at the time of and
immediately after such borrowing or issuance, no Default or Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing.

The acceptance by the Borrower of the proceeds of any Loan or the issuance of
any Letter of Credit hereunder shall be deemed to constitute a representation
and warranty by the Borrower on the date of such Loan or the date of the
issuance of such Letter of Credit, as the case may be, that all of the
conditions set forth in Section 4.01 have been satisfied.

        SECTION 4.2 CONDITIONS TO FIRST ADVANCE. The obligations of the Lenders
to make the initial advance under the Revolving Credit Facility is subject to
the following additional conditions precedent (or, as expressly set forth below,
subsequent conditions), all of which shall be in form and substance satisfactory
to the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion:

               (a) LEGAL OPINION. The Lenders shall have received a favorable
written opinion of counsel for the Borrower and the Parent in form and substance
acceptable to the Agent and its counsel.


                                      32.


<PAGE>   35
               (b) AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENTATION. The Lenders shall have received
for the Borrower and the Parent (i) a copy of the articles of incorporation of
such Person, certified by the applicable jurisdictional authority as of a recent
date, (ii) certificates of good standing from the applicable authority of such
Person's jurisdiction of incorporation and each other jurisdiction where the
failure of such Person to be so qualified could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect, all dated as of a recent date, (iii) a certificate of
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Person, dated the Closing Date
and certifying (A) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the
articles of incorporation and by-laws of such Person as in effect on the date of
such certificate, (B) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of
resolutions duly adopted by such Person authorizing the execution, delivery and
performance of the Transactions to which such Person is a party, and that such
resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force
and effect, and (C) as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer
of such Person executing any Loan Document, (iv) a certificate of another
officer of such Person as to the incumbency and specimen signature of the
Secretary or such Assistant Secretary of such Person, and (v) such other
documents as any Lender or its counsel may reasonably request.

               (c) NOTES. Each Lender shall have received a Revolving Credit
Note, duly executed and delivered by the Borrower, payable to its order and
otherwise complying with the provisions of Section 2.02.

               (d) LOAN DOCUMENTS. The Lenders shall have received the Loan
Documents, duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto (provided that (i)
the Negative Pledge Agreement may be executed and delivered within 30 days after
the Closing Date and (ii) delivery of any pledge agreement by the Parent shall
be governed by Section 5.12).

               (e) INSURANCE. The Lenders shall have received certificates
evidencing the insurance required under the Security Agreements and Section 5.03
of this Agreement.

               (f) CERTIFICATION. The Lenders shall have received a certificate,
dated as of the Closing Date, whereby a Financial Officer certifies as to the
matters specified in Section 4.01(a), (c), and (d).

               (g) SEARCHES. The Lenders shall have received recently dated
reports describing all Lien filings with respect to the Borrower and the Parent
reflected in such jurisdictions as the Agent may require. No such report shall
list any Lien other than Permitted Liens. The Lenders shall also have received
recently dated judgment and state and federal tax lien search reports for the
Borrower and the Parent, satisfactory to the Lenders.

               (h) RELEASES. The Lenders shall have releases of Liens (other
than Permitted Liens) and evidence of repayment of existing indebtedness
(provided that termination statements relating to financing statements which the
Borrower is in good faith unable to determine as of the Closing Date may be
delivered within forty-five (45) days after the Closing Date).

               (i) FINANCING STATEMENTS. The Lenders shall have received all
such fully executed UCC financing statements under the Credit Agreement and the
Collateral Documents as any Lender may reasonably request.


                                      33.


<PAGE>   36
               (j) FINANCIAL INFORMATION. The Lenders shall have received
projections for Fiscal Year 1999 and the financial deliveries described in
Section 3.05.

               (k) FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Lenders shall have received all
further documents, notifications and other assurances reasonably required by the
Lenders to evidence and secure the Obligations.


                                   ARTICLE 5

                             AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

        The Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that, so long as this
Agreement shall remain in effect or the principal of or interest on the Notes,
any Fee or any other expense or amount payable hereunder shall be unpaid or any
Letter of Credit shall be outstanding hereunder, unless the Required Lenders
shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each of
its Subsidiaries to:

        SECTION 5.1 EXISTENCE. Do or cause to be done all things necessary to
preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence, except
(a) Canada may be dissolved under applicable law and (b) to the extent expressly
permitted in accordance with Section 6.04.

        SECTION 5.2 BUSINESSES AND PROPERTIES: COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Except to
the extent expressly permitted in accordance with Section 6.04, at all times (a)
do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full
force and effect the rights, licenses, registrations, authorizations, permits,
franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names, material to the
conduct of its business, (b) maintain and operate its business in substantially
the manner in which it is presently conducted and operated, (c) comply in all
material respects with all laws and regulations applicable to the operation of
such business, including but not limited to, all Environmental Laws, whether now
in effect or hereafter enacted and with all other applicable laws and
regulations, (d) take all action which may be required to obtain, preserve,
renew and extend all franchises, registrations, licenses, permits and other
authorizations which may be material to the operation of such business (e)
maintain, preserve and protect all property material to the conduct of such
business, and (f) keep its property in good repair, working order and condition
and from time to time make, or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs,
renewals, additions, improvements and replacements thereto necessary in order
that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted
at all times.

        SECTION 5.3 INSURANCE. Maintain insurance required by the Borrower
Security Agreement, including but not limited to, coverage on its insurable
properties, including all inventory, equipment and real property, against the
perils of fire, theft, burglary, public liability, worker's compensation and
business interruption and such other risks as are customary with companies
similarly situated and in the same or similar business under policies issued by
financially sound and reputable insurers in such amounts as are customary with
companies similarly situated and in the same or similar business. The Borrower
shall pay all insurance premiums payable by it and shall deliver the policy or
policies of such insurance (or certificates of insurance with copies of such
policies) to the Lenders. All insurance policies of the Borrower 


                                      34.


<PAGE>   37
shall contain endorsements, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Agent, providing that the insurance shall not be cancelable except upon 30 days'
prior notice to the Agent. The Agent shall be shown as additional named insured
parties under all such insurance policies.

        SECTION 5.4 OBLIGATIONS AND TAXES. Pay and discharge promptly when due
all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or
upon its income or profits or in respect of its property before the same shall
become delinquent or in default, as well as all lawful claims for labor,
materials and supplies or otherwise, which, if unpaid, might give rise to liens
or charges upon such properties or any part thereof; provided, however, that the
Borrower shall not be required to pay and discharge or to cause to be paid and
discharged any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim so long as the
validity or amount thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and the Borrower shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves
with respect thereto.

        SECTION 5.5 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; REPORTS. The Borrower shall maintain a
standard system of accounting in accordance with GAAP and furnish to the Agent:

               (a) ANNUAL STATEMENTS. Promptly upon their becoming publicly
available and in any event within 90 days after close of each Fiscal Year of the
Borrower, a copy of the Parent's (i) consolidated (A) balance sheet as of the
end of the Fiscal Year and (B) statements of income, cash flow and shareholder's
equity for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the
corresponding figures for the preceding Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail,
and in each case prepared by the Parent and audited by the Accountants, together
with a certificate of the Accountants which shall state that the audit made by
the Accountants in connection with such financial statements has been made in
accordance with GAAP, such financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with GAAP and in a manner consistent with that applied in prior fiscal periods
(except that, from and after the Fiscal Year ending March 31 1998, the Borrower
has elected to base its Fiscal Year on a period of 12 full months rather than 52
or 53 weeks, as applicable) and such financial statements fairly present the
consolidated financial position of the Parent and (ii) unaudited consolidating
(A) balance sheets as of the end of the Fiscal Year and (B) statements of
income, cash flow and shareholder's equity for such Fiscal Year, setting forth
in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the preceding
Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and containing such information as any
Lender may require and certified by a Financial Officer. The Borrower shall
deliver a Compliance Certificate in the form of Exhibit E hereto with such
annual financial statements.

               (b) QUARTERLY STATEMENTS. Promptly upon their becoming publicly
available and in any event within 45 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter
of the Borrower, a copy of the Parent's unaudited consolidated and consolidating
(i) balance sheets as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and (ii) statements of
income, cash flow and shareholders' equity for such Fiscal Quarter and for the
period from the beginning of the then current year to the end of such Fiscal
Quarter, all in reasonable detail and containing such information as any Lender
may require and certified by a Financial Officer.

               (c) BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE. Within 20 days after the end of
each Fiscal Month, a borrowing base certificate of a Financial Officer in the
form of Exhibit D hereto.


                                      35.


<PAGE>   38
               (d) ACCOUNTS REPORT. Within 20 days after the end of each Fiscal
Month, an Accounts Report.

               (e) COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE. Within 45 days after the end of each
Fiscal Quarter, a certificate of a Financial Officer in the form of Exhibit E
hereto.

               (f) ACCOUNTANT REPORTS. Promptly upon the receipt thereof, copies
of all reports submitted to the Borrower by independent certified public
accountants in connection with each annual, interim or special audit of the
financial statements of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries made by such
accountants, including, without limitation, the comment letter submitted by such
accountants to management in connection with their annual audit.

               (g) PUBLIC FILINGS AND PRESS RELEASES. Promptly upon their
becoming publicly available and to the extent not otherwise delivered pursuant
to this Agreement, copies of (i) all financial reports, notices and proxy
statements, (ii) all regular and periodic reports and all registration
statements and prospectuses filed with any securities exchange or with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or any governmental or private regulatory
authority and (iii) all press releases and other statements concerning material
changes or developments in the business of the Parent or the Borrower.

               (h) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Promptly, from time to time, such
other information regarding the compliance by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or
the affairs, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries as any Lender may reasonably request and which is
capable of being obtained, produced or generated by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or of which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has knowledge.

        SECTION 5.6 LITIGATION AND OTHER NOTICES. Give the Agent prompt written
notice of the following:

               (a) ORDERS: INJUNCTIONS. The issuance by any court or
governmental agency or authority of any injunction, order, decision or other
restraint prohibiting, or having the effect of prohibiting, the making of any
Loan or the issuance of any Letter of Credit or the initiation of any litigation
or similar proceeding seeking any such injunction, order or other restraint.

               (b) LITIGATION. The filing or commencement of any action, suit or
proceeding against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries whether at law or in
equity or by or before any court or any federal, state, municipal or other
governmental agency or authority and which, if adversely determined against the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries would be reasonably likely to result in
liability in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate.

               (c) ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. (i) Any release or threatened release
of any Hazardous Material required to be reported to any federal, state or local
governmental or regulatory agency under any applicable Environmental Laws, (ii)
any remedial action taken by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any
other Person in response to any Hazardous Material on, under or about the
Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' properties or any other property, and
(iii) any violation by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any
Environmental Law, in each case, which would be reasonably likely to result in a
Material Adverse Effect.


                                      36.


<PAGE>   39
               (d) DEFAULT. Any Default or Event of Default, specifying the
nature and extent thereof and the action (if any) which is proposed to be taken
with respect thereto.

               (e) MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT. Any development in the business or
affairs of the Parent, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which would be
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

        SECTION 5.7 ERISA. Comply in all material respects with the applicable
provisions of ERISA and the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
relating thereto and (a) furnish to the Agent as soon as possible, and in any
event within 30 days after the Borrower knows or has reason to know thereof,
notice of (i) the establishment by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any
Pension Plan, (ii) the commencement by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
of contributions to a Multiemployer Plan, (iii) any failure by the Borrower or
any ERISA Affiliate to make contributions required by Section 302 of ERISA
(whether or not such requirement is waived pursuant to Section 303 of ERISA), or
(iv) the occurrence of any Reportable Event with respect to any Pension Plan for
which the reporting requirement is not waived, together with a statement of the
controller, treasurer or executive vice president of the Borrower setting forth
details as to such Reportable Event and the action which the Borrower proposes
to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of the notice of such
Reportable Event given to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation if any notice
is required to be given to said Corporation, (b) promptly after receipt thereof,
a copy of any notice the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may receive from
the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation relating to the intention of said
Corporation to terminate any Pension Plan, or to appoint a trustee to administer
any Pension Plan and (c) promptly after receipt thereof, a copy of any notice of
withdrawal liability from any Multiemployer Plan.

        SECTION 5.8 MAINTAINING RECORDS; ACCESS TO PREMISES AND INSPECTIONS.
Maintain financial records in accordance with generally accepted practices and,
upon reasonable notice, at all reasonable times and as often as any Lender may
reasonably request, permit any authorized representative designated by any
Lender to visit and inspect the properties and financial records of the Borrower
and any of its Subsidiaries and to make extracts from such financial records at
the Lender's expense, and permit any authorized representative designated by any
Lender to discuss the affairs, finances and condition of the Borrower and any of
its Subsidiaries with the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's chief financial
officer and such other officers as the Borrower shall deem appropriate, and the
Borrower's independent public accountants. The Lenders may from time to time
request field audits in scope acceptable to them (which shall occur no less
frequently than once every two years and, unless a Default or an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, no more frequently than once a year),
which will be paid for by the Borrower.

        SECTION 5.9 USE OF PROCEEDS. Use the proceeds of the Revolving Credit
Facility only for working capital and general corporate purposes and to
refinance existing indebtedness.

        SECTION 5.10 YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE. On or before September 30, 1999,
employ in the businesses of the Parent, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries only
those computer systems and components which accurately accept, create,
manipulate, sort, sequence, calculate, compare and output calendar date
information with respect to calendar year 1999 and each subsequent calendar year
beginning on or after January 1, 2000, in each case where necessary in order
that 


                                      37.


<PAGE>   40
the business of the Parent, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may be properly
conducted at all times.

        SECTION 5.11 BANKING BUSINESS. In order to facilitate the Lenders'
maintenance and monitoring of their security interest in the Collateral, within
30 days after the Closing Date, the Borrower shall, and shall cause the Parent
and all domestic Subsidiaries of the Borrower or the Parent to, maintain all of
its respective principal accounts and banking activities with the Agent.

        SECTION 5.12 PLEDGE AGREEMENT. If the Parent Merger is not consummated
within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, the Parent shall, upon the
request of Agent, pledge to the Agent and the Lenders, as additional security
for the Obligations, all issued and outstanding shares of the Borrower's capital
stock, all on terms and conditions acceptable to the Agent.

                                    ARTICLE 6

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

        The Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that, so long as this
Agreement shall remain in effect or the principal of or interest on the Notes,
any Fee or any other expense or amount payable hereunder shall be unpaid or any
Letter of Credit shall be outstanding hereunder, unless the Required Lenders
shall otherwise consent in writing, it will not and it will not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, either directly or indirectly:

        SECTION 6.1 INDEBTEDNESS. Incur, create, assume or permit to exist any
Indebtedness, including pursuant to any Guaranty, except that the following
Indebtedness is permitted:

               (a) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents;

               (b) Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business with
respect to customer deposits, trade payables and other unsecured current
liabilities not the result of borrowing and not evidenced by any note or other
evidence of indebtedness;

               (c) unsecured Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of
business not to exceed $250,000 at any time;

               (d) Interest Rate Protection Agreements with the Agent;

               (e) the Indebtedness listed in the Disclosure Schedule as of the
Closing Date (provided that, notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, no later than 45 days after the Closing Date all of such Indebtedness
held by Congress Financial Corporation shall be paid in full and all agreements
with respect thereto shall be terminated in full);

               (f) Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries not to exceed (i)
$1,500,000 in the aggregate at any time during Fiscal Year 1998, (ii) $2,000,000
in the aggregate at any time during Fiscal Year 1999 and (iii) $2,500,000 in the
aggregate at any time thereafter;


                                      38.


<PAGE>   41
               (g) Indebtedness consisting of capital lease obligations and
Indebtedness (including as incurred in connection with the purchase of
intellectual property licensed as of the Closing Date by the Borrower from
Founding Partners) secured by Liens permitted by Section 6.02 (g), not to exceed
(i) $1,600,000 in the aggregate at any time in the case of the intellectual
property described in this clause (g) and (ii) $1,000,000 in the aggregate at
any time in all other cases; and

               (h) extensions, renewals and replacements of the Indebtedness
(other than the Seller Note and the Indebtedness held by Congress Financial
Corporation) referred to in paragraphs (a) through (g) of, and in amounts
permitted by, this Section 6.01.

        SECTION 6.2 NEGATIVE PLEDGE. Create, incur, assume or permit to exist
any Lien on any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by it
(including the capital stock of its Subsidiaries, none of which shall be subject
to any Liens, whether or not described in clauses (b) through (e) below) or on
any income or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

               (a) Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents on behalf of the
Lenders;

               (b) Liens for or priority claims imposed by law which are
incidental to the conduct of business or the ownership of properties and assets
(including mechanic's, warehousemen's, attorneys' and statutory landlords'
liens) and deposits, pledges or liens to secure statutory obligations, surety or
appeal bonds or other liens of like general nature incurred in the ordinary
course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money; provided,
however, that in each case, the obligation secured is not overdue or, if
overdue, is being contested in good faith and adequate reserves have been set up
by in a manner satisfactory to Lenders; provided, further, that the lien and
security interest provided in the Loan Documents or any portion thereof created
or intended to be created thereby is not, in the opinion of the Lenders,
unreasonably jeopardized thereby;

               (c) Liens securing the payment of taxes, assessments and
governmental charges or levies incurred in the ordinary course of business,
either (i) not delinquent, or (ii) being contested in good faith by appropriate
legal or administrative proceedings and as to which the Borrower shall have set
aside on its books adequate reserves, and so long as during the period of any
such contest, the Borrower shall suffer no loss of any privilege of doing
business or any other right, power or privilege necessary or material to the
operation of its business;

               (d) the Liens identified in the Disclosure Schedule as of the
Closing Date (provided that, notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, no later than 45 days after the Closing Date all of such Liens
securing Indebtedness held by Congress Financial Corporation shall be released
and terminated in full);

               (e) Liens securing secured Indebtedness identified in the
Disclosure Schedule as of the Closing Date;

               (f) Liens securing capital lease obligations permitted under
Section 6.01(g);


                                      39.


<PAGE>   42
               (g) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred to finance the
acquisition of assets by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and permitted under
Section 6.01(g), provided that each such Lien attaches only to the applicable
assets so acquired; and

               (h) extensions, renewals and replacements of Liens (other than
the Liens in favor of Congress Financial Corporation) referred to in paragraphs
(a) through (g) of this Section 6.02; provided, however, that any such
extension, renewal or replacement Lien shall be limited to the property or
assets covered by the Lien extended, renewed or replaced and that the
obligations secured by any such extension, renewal or replacement Lien shall be
in an amount not greater than the amount of the obligations secured by the Lien
extended, renewed or replaced.

        SECTION 6.3 SALE OF ASSETS. Except as expressly permitted by the
Borrower Security Agreement, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its
assets (including the capital stock of its Subsidiaries, none of which shall be
disposed of, whether or not in the manner described below), including the
Collateral and the Premises, except (a) bona fide sales of Inventory to
customers for fair value in the ordinary course of business, dispositions of
obsolete equipment not used or useful in the business and dispositions of motor
vehicles in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, (b)
closing of sales or other non-material offices, based on the reasonable
determination of the board of directors of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the
Borrower, as applicable, that such action is in the best business interest of
the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, and (c) Asset Dispositions if
all of the following conditions are met: (i) the market value of assets sold or
otherwise disposed of in any single transaction or series of related
transactions does not exceed $250,000 and the aggregate market value of assets
sold or otherwise disposed of in any fiscal year of the Borrower does not exceed
$500,000; (ii) the consideration received is at least equal to the fair market
value of such assets; (iii) the sole consideration received is cash or
replacement equipment or fixed assets to be used in the ordinary course of
business; (iv) after giving effect to the sale or other disposition of the
assets included within the Asset Disposition, the Borrower is in compliance on a
pro forma basis with the covenants set forth in Article VI recomputed for the
most recently ended Fiscal Month for which information is available and is in
compliance with all other terms and conditions contained in this Agreement; and
(v) no Default or Event of Default shall result from such sale or other
disposition.

        SECTION 6.4 CONSOLIDATIONS, MERGERS OR PURCHASES OF ASSETS. Merge into
or consolidate or combine with any other Person, or purchase, lease or otherwise
acquire (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) all or any part
of the property or assets of any Person (other than purchases or other
acquisitions of inventory, materials, leases, property and equipment in the
ordinary course of business); provided that, the Borrower may merge (a) any of
its Subsidiaries into itself or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries, with the
Borrower or such wholly- owned Subsidiary remaining as the survivor of such
merger and (b) into the Parent (the "Parent Merger") so long as, for each of
clauses (a) and (b) above, (i) the Borrower delivers written notice of such
merger to the Agent at least fifteen (15) Business Days prior to the date
thereof, and such notice includes a reasonably detailed description of such
merger, (ii) as of the consummation of such merger, the Agent shall have
received duly executed amendments and supplements to the Loan Documents as
requested by the Agent to reflect such merger, together with such other
documents, agreements, certificates, instruments and opinions as the Agent may


                                      40.


<PAGE>   43
request and (iii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred which is then
continuing or would arise as a result of such merger.

        SECTION 6.5 RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. Declare or pay, directly or indirectly,
any dividend or distribution or make any other payment of any other kind to any
of its shareholders or its Affiliates (including any redemption, purchase or
acquisition of, whether in cash, property, securities or a combination thereof,
any stock, partnership interests or capital accounts or warrants, options or any
of its other securities), make any payment in respect of the Seller Note or set
apart any sum for any aforesaid purpose, except (a) for distributions by
Subsidiaries of the Borrower to the Borrower, (b) for regularly scheduled
payments of principal and interest under the Seller Note; provided that (i) such
payments are permitted to be made in accordance with the Subordination Agreement
and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would
arise as a result of any such payment, (c) for distributions to the Parent to
pay its federal and state income taxes, to the extent directly attributable to
the Parent's tax liability in respect of the Borrower, (d) for distributions to
the Parent to permit it to maintain its corporate existence, (e) as required to
meet obligations under employee stock options and employee stock purchase
agreements and (f) the Borrower may consummate a reverse stock split to the
extent required by the applicable securities regulations.

        SECTION 6.6 INVESTMENTS, LOANS AND ADVANCES. Purchase, or hold
beneficially, any stock, other securities or evidences of Indebtedness of, or
make or permit to exist any loan, Guaranty or advance to, or make any investment
or acquire any interest whatsoever in, any other Person (including, but not
limited to (a) the Parent, (b) the Foreign Subsidiaries and the Inactive
Subsidiaries and (c) the formation or acquisition of any Subsidiaries not
existing on the date of this Agreement), except (i) investments in cash and Cash
Equivalents and (ii) in the case of the Parent, as permitted by Section 6.05.

        SECTION 6.7 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Sell or transfer any assets
to, or purchase or acquire any assets of, or make any loan, advance or
investment in, or otherwise engage in any material transaction with, or permit
any Affiliate to sell or transfer assets to, or purchase or acquire any assets
of, or otherwise engage in any other material transaction with any other
Affiliate, except (a) sales to and purchases from Affiliates in the ordinary
course of business on "arms-length" terms no less favorable to the Borrower than
similar arrangements with third parties, and (b) the transactions identified in
the Disclosure Schedule.

        SECTION 6.8 FISCAL YEAR; ACCOUNTING. After its Fiscal Year ending March
31, 1998, change its Fiscal Year or method of accounting (other than immaterial
changes and methods), except as required by GAAP.

        SECTION 6.9 LIMITATIONS ON SALE OF ASSETS. Permit or place any material
restriction, directly or indirectly, on the sale, pledge, transfer or other
disposition of any material asset (other than such restrictions as ordinarily
appear in contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, examples of
which include restrictions on the ability to assign leases or contract rights
and obligations and the restrictions arising under this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents).


                                      41.


<PAGE>   44
        SECTION 6.10 ISSUANCE OF EQUITY INTERESTS; SUBSIDIARIES. Without the
prior written approval of the Required Lenders, (a) issue any capital stock or
other equity interests or any options or warrants to purchase, or securities
convertible into, capital or equity interests, except as required to meet
obligations under employee stock options and employee stock purchase agreements
or (b) establish, acquire or otherwise permit to exist any Subsidiaries.

        SECTION 6.11 CERTAIN DOCUMENTS. Amend, modify or waive (or agree to the
amendment, modification or waiver of) any term or provision of its articles of
incorporation or bylaws or any lease of any Premises in any manner that would be
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

        SECTION 6.12 BUSINESS ACTIVITIES. Engage in, or permit or cause the
Parent or the Inactive Subsidiaries to engage in, any business activities other
than (a) in the case of the Borrower, those engaged in by it (or substantially
related to those engaged by it) on the Closing Date, (b) in the case of the
Parent, those activities incidental to its ownership of the Borrower and its
other Subsidiaries, (c) the performance of such Person's obligations under the
Loan Documents to which it is a party and (d) activities incidental to the
maintenance of such Person's corporate existence.

        SECTION 6.13 BANK ACCOUNTS. Commencing no later than 30 days after the
Closing Date, maintain any bank accounts other than petty cash accounts having
an aggregate balance not to exceed $100,000 at any time, payroll accounts and
bank accounts maintained with the Agent; provided that the Borrower may deposit
checks received from Account Debtors into petty cash accounts located in
California, so long as all amounts at any time in excess of $100,000 contained
in the Borrower's petty cash accounts are transferred to the Agent within three
(3) days of the Borrower's receipt of checks in respect thereof.

        SECTION 6.14 CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME. Permit Consolidated Net Income for
(a) the first Fiscal Quarter of any Fiscal Year to be less than ($1,500,000),
(b) the first two quarters of any Fiscal Year to be less than ($1,000,000),
cumulatively, (c) the first three quarters of any Fiscal Year to be less than
$0, cumulatively, and (d) any Fiscal Year to be less than $1,000,000.

        SECTION 6.15 CONSOLIDATED TANGIBLE NET WORTH. Permit Consolidated
Tangible Net Worth to be less than the sum of (a) $10,300,000 plus (b) 50% of
the cumulative positive Consolidated Net Income for Fiscal Year 1999 and each
Fiscal Year thereafter.

                                   ARTICLE 7

                                    DEFAULTS

        SECTION 7.1 EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Each of the following events shall
constitute events of default ("Events of Default") hereunder:

               (a) any representation or warranty made by or on behalf of the
Borrower in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any of
the Transactions shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material
respect when made;


                                      42.


<PAGE>   45
               (b) default shall be made in the payment of any (i) principal
when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date
thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or
otherwise, or (ii) interest on the Loans or any other amount payable hereunder
within 5 days of the due date thereof;

               (c) default shall be made in the due observance of any covenant,
condition or agreement on the part of the Borrower contained in Sections 4.02(d)
(as regards the Negative Pledge Agreement), 5.01, 5.05, 5.06(d), 5.11, 5.12 or
Article VI;

               (d) default shall be made in the due observance or performance of
any other covenant, condition or agreement to be observed or performed by the
Borrower pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents and
such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the earlier
of (i) written notice from any Lender of such default or (ii) actual knowledge
by the Borrower of such default;

               (e) the Parent, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i)
voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under
Title 11 of the United States Code or any other federal or state bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar law, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to
controvert in a timely and appropriate manner, any such proceeding or the filing
of any such petition, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a
receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator or similar official for the Parent,
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of their
properties or assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of
a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors, (vi) become unable generally, or admit
in writing its inability, to pay its debts as they become due, (vii) suspend the
transaction of all or a substantial portion of its usual business or (viii) take
corporate action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

               (f) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an
involuntary petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking
(i) relief in respect of the Parent, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of
a substantial part of any of its properties or assets under Title 11 of the
United States Code or any other federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or
similar law, (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian,
sequestrator or similar official for the Parent, the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of its properties, or (iii) the
winding-up or liquidation of the Parent, the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries; and such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60
days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall
continue unstayed and in effect for 60 days;

               (g) an event of default shall occur and be continuing with
respect to any Indebtedness of the Parent, the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or any event shall occur if the effect of any such default or event
shall be to accelerate, or to permit the holder or obligee of any Indebtedness
(or any trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or obligee) to accelerate
(with or without notice or lapse of time or both) the maturity of Indebtedness
in an aggregate amount in excess of $250,000; or any payment of principal or
interest, regardless of amount, on any Indebtedness of the Parent, the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount in excess of
$250,000, shall not be paid when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration or
otherwise (after giving effect to any period of grace specified in the
instrument evidencing or governing such Indebtedness);


                                      43.


<PAGE>   46
               (h) a Reportable Event shall have occurred with respect to any
Pension Plan or a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan shall have been
furnished to the affected parties (as provided in Section 4041(c)(1) of ERISA);
or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation shall have instituted proceedings to
terminate any Pension Plan, or a trustee shall have been appointed by a United
States District Court to administer any Pension Plan, if in any such case such
Pension Plan then has an amount of unfunded benefit liabilities (within the
meaning of Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA) aggregating in excess of $250,000 or
the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate incurs withdrawal liability to any
Multiemployer Plan under subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA aggregating in excess
of $250,000;

               (i) a final judgment for the payment of money in excess of
$250,000 shall be rendered by a court or other tribunal against the Parent, the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and shall remain undischarged for a period
of 30 consecutive days during which execution of such judgment shall not have
been stayed effectively or final judgments for the payment of money aggregating
in excess of $250,000 shall be rendered against the Parent, the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries and such judgments shall remain undischarged for a period of
30 consecutive days during which execution of such judgments shall not have been
stayed effectively;

               (j) any Collateral Document shall cease to be in full force and
effect, enforceable in accordance with its terms, or the Borrower, the Parent,
the Sellers or any other Person shall assert the invalidity of any such
instrument (including the assignment of the Subordination Agreement to the
Agent, on behalf of itself and the Lenders), or any security interest or Lien
purported to be created by any Collateral Document shall cease to be a valid and
perfected first priority security interest in any collateral described therein,
subject only to Permitted Liens;

               (k) a default or event of default shall occur under any of the
other Loan Documents, which shall remain uncured after the expiration of any
applicable notice, cure or grace period, if any; or

               (l) the Parent, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be
subject to any proceeding pertaining to the release by (i) any of such Persons,
(ii) any Person acting on behalf of the Parent, the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, or (iii) any predecessor in interest to the assets and properties
of the Parent, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Hazardous
Materials into the environment, or any violation of any Environmental Laws which
in either case, would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

               (m) (i) the Parent shall cease to own and control all of the
economic and voting rights associated with all of the outstanding capital stock
of the Borrower, (ii) the Borrower shall cease to own and control all of the
economic and voting rights associated with all of the outstanding capital Stock
of any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) any person or group of persons (within the
meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) shall have acquired
beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended) of 20% or more of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of
the Parent having the right to vote for the election of directors of the Parent
under ordinary circumstances or (iv) during any period of 


                                      44.


<PAGE>   47
twelve consecutive calendar months, individuals who at the beginning of such
period constituted the board of directors of the Parent (together with any new
directors whose election by the board of directors of the Parent or whose
nomination for election by the stockholders of the Parent was approved by a vote
of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were
directors at the beginning of such period or whose elections or nomination for
election was previously so approved) cease for any reason other than death or
disability to constitute a majority of the directors then in office.

        SECTION 7.2 REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT. Upon the occurrence of any Event of
Default (other than an event described in Section 7.01(e) or (f)), and at any
time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Agent may, and shall
at the request of the Required Lenders, by written notice to the Borrower, take
either or both of the following actions at the same or different times: (a)
terminate forthwith the Commitment of the Lenders hereunder, and (b) declare the
Notes to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the principal of the Notes,
together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other
liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents, shall become forthwith due and payable both as to principal and
interest, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind,
all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained
herein or in the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding. Upon the occurrence of
any event described in Section 7.01(e) or (f), (i) the Commitment of the Lenders
shall automatically terminate, and (ii) the principal amount outstanding under
the Notes, together with all accrued interest thereon and any accrued unpaid
Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under the
other Loan Documents, shall automatically become due and payable, both as to
principal and interest, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of
any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything
contained herein or in the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding. Upon any
acceleration of the Notes and the other amounts payable hereunder, the Borrower
shall pay to the Lenders an amount equal to the aggregate stated amount of all
Letters of Credit to be held by the Agent as cash collateral to secure the
obligations of the Borrower hereunder with respect to the Letters of Credit.

                                   ARTICLE 8

                                   THE AGENT

        SECTION 8.1 APPOINTMENT. Each Lender hereby designates and appoints
LaSalle National Bank as the Agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, and each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes, and each
holder of any Note by the acceptance thereof will be deemed irrevocably to
authorize, the Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers as are
set forth herein or therein, together with such other powers as are reasonably
incidental thereto. The Agent agrees to act as such on the express conditions
contained in this Article VIII. The Agent may perform any of its duties
hereunder by or through its agents or employees.

        SECTION 8.2 NATURE OF DUTIES. The Agent shall have no duties or
responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement or in the
other Loan Documents. The duties of the Agent shall be mechanical and
administrative in nature. The Agent shall not have by reason 


                                      45.


<PAGE>   48
of this Agreement a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender. Nothing in
this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be construed as to
impose upon the Agent any obligations in respect of this Agreement except as set
forth herein. Each Lender shall make its own independent investigation of the
financial condition and affairs of the Borrower in connection with the making
and the continuance of the Loans hereunder and shall make its own appraisal of
the creditworthiness of the Borrower, and the Agent shall have no duty or
responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender
with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into
its possession before the making of the Loans or at any time or times
thereafter. If the Agent seeks the consent or approval of any Lender prior to
the taking or refraining from taking any action hereunder, the Agent shall send
notice thereof to each Lender.

        SECTION 8.3 RIGHTS, EXCULPATION, ETC. Neither the Agent nor any of its
officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable to any Lender for any
action taken or omitted by it hereunder or under any of the other Loan
Documents, or in connection herewith or therewith, unless caused by its or their
gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Agent shall not be responsible to
any Lender for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties herein or
in any other Loan Document or for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness,
validity, enforceability, collectibility, or sufficiency of this Agreement, any
Note or any of the other Loan Documents or any other agreement relating to the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the financial condition of
Borrower. Neither the Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees or
agents shall have any responsibility to the Borrower on account of the failure
of or delay in performance or breach by any Lender of any of its obligations
hereunder or to any Lender on account of the failure or, the delay in
performance or breach by any other Lender or the Borrower of any of their
respective obligations hereunder or under the Notes or the other Loan Documents
or in connection herewith or therewith. The Agent shall not be required to make
any inquiry concerning either the performance or observance of any of the terms,
provisions or conditions of this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan
Documents or the financial condition of the Borrower or the existence of any
Default or Event or Default. The Agent may at any time request instruction from
the Required Lenders with respect to any actions or approvals which by the terms
of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents the Agent is permitted or
required to take or to grant, and if such instructions are promptly requested
and the Agent complies with such instructions, the Agent shall be absolutely
entitled to take any action or to refrain from taking any action or to withhold
any approval, as the case may be and shall be under no liability whatsoever to
any person for action, inaction or withheld approval until it shall have
received such instructions from the Required Lenders. Without limiting the
foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Agent
as a result of the Agent acting or refraining from acting under this Agreement,
the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents in accordance with the instructions
of the Required Lenders.

        SECTION 8.4 RELIANCE. The Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any
written notice, statement, certificate, order or other document or any telephone
message believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent
or made by the proper person, and with respect to all matters pertaining to this
Agreement, the Notes or any of the Loan Documents and its duties hereunder or
thereunder, upon advice of counsel selected by it. The Agent may deem and treat
the payee of any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes hereof until it
shall have received from the payee of such Note notice, given as provided
herein, of the transfer thereof.


                                      46.


<PAGE>   49
        SECTION 8.5 NOTICE OF DEFAULT. The Agent shall not be deemed to have
knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default
hereunder unless the Agent has received notice from a Lender or the Borrower
referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and
stating that such notice is a "notice of default". In the event that the Agent
receives such a notice, the Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the
Lenders and, in the case of a notice received from any Lender, the Borrower. The
Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as
shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders; provided, however, that
unless and until the Agent shall have received such directions, the 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 in the best interests of the Lenders.

        SECTION 8.6 INDEMNIFICATION. To the extent that the Agent is not
reimbursed and indemnified by the Borrower, the Lenders will reimburse and
indemnify the Agent for and against any and all liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or
disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred
by, or asserted against the Agent, acting pursuant hereto, in any way relating
to or arising out of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any
action taken or omitted by the Agent under this Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents in proportion to each Lender's Percentage; provided, however,
that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or
disbursements resulting from the Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct.
The obligations of the Lenders under this Section 8.06 shall survive the payment
in full of the Notes and the termination of this Agreement.

        SECTION 8.7 THE AGENT INDIVIDUALLY. With respect to its Percentage share
hereunder, the Loans made by it and any Notes issued to or held by it, the Agent
shall have and may exercise the same rights and powers hereunder and is subject
to the same obligations and liabilities as and to the extent set forth herein
for any other Lender or holder of a Note. The terms "Lenders" or "Required
Lenders" or any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise
indicates, include the Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender or one of
the Required Lenders. The Agent may accept deposits from, lend money to, and
generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with the
Borrower, as if it were not acting as the Agent pursuant hereto.

        SECTION 8.8 SUCCESSOR TO THE AGENT. The Agent may resign from the
performance of all of its functions and duties hereunder at any time by giving
at least 30 Business Days' prior written notice to the Borrower and the Lenders.
Such resignation shall take effect upon the acceptance by a successor Agent of
appointment pursuant to subsections (b) and (c) below or as otherwise provided
below. Upon the effectiveness of such resignation, the Agent shall be relieved
of all of its obligations hereunder and shall no longer be a party hereto
(except, if applicable, in its capacity as a Lender) and shall have no further
obligations or rights as the Agent hereunder (except, if applicable as a Lender,
or except rights which, pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, survive
the termination of this Agreement and the repayment of the Notes) and the
successor Agent shall succeed to such obligations and rights.


                                      47.


<PAGE>   50
               (a) Upon any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders
shall appoint a successor Agent who shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
Borrower (it being agreed that any Lender shall be deemed to be acceptable) and
shall be an incorporated bank or trust company.

               (b) If a successor Agent shall not have been so appointed within
said 30 Business Day period, the retiring Agent, with the consent of the
Borrower, shall then appoint a successor Agent who shall serve as Agent until
such time, if any, as the Required Lenders, with the consent of the Borrower,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, appoint a successor Agent as
provided above.

               (c) Nothing contained in this Article VIII or in any other
provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall restrict the
ability of the Agent to change its office to any other branch or office.
Accordingly, without any prior consent of any Lender or the Borrower, the Agent
may change its address for purposes of the Loan Documents by giving a notice in
accordance with Section 9.01 hereof.

                                    ARTICLE 9

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

        SECTION 9.1 NOTICES. Notices and other communications provided for
herein and in the other Loan Documents shall be in writing and shall be
delivered personally or mailed, by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid
(or in the case of facsimile communication, delivered by telex, graphic scanning
or other facsimile communications equipment) or delivered by overnight courier
addressed to the respective address set forth on the signature pages hereof or
in any Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender became a party
hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been
given on the date of mailing or transmission, in each case addressed to such
Person as provided in this Section 9.01 or in accordance with the latest
unrevoked direction from such Person.

        SECTION 9.2 OBLIGATIONS OF THE LENDERS. All obligations of each Lender,
as Lender hereunder, are not joint and several, but are separate and individual,
and no partnership or joint venture relationship shall be construed to exist
between the Agent and any Lender or between any Lenders in connection with this
Agreement or otherwise.

        SECTION 9.3 SURVIVAL OF AGREEMENT. All covenants, agreements,
representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in the other Loan
Documents shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Lenders and shall
survive the making by the Lenders of the Loans and the execution and delivery to
the Lenders of the Notes evidencing the Loans and shall continue in full force
and effect until the Notes and all accrued interest thereon and all other
Obligations then due and payable have been fully paid, no Letters of Credit are
outstanding hereunder, and the Lender has no further commitment to lend
hereunder.

        SECTION 9.4 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

               (a) NO ASSIGNMENT BY BORROWER. Whenever in this Agreement or any
other Loan Document any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference
shall be deemed to include 


                                      48.


<PAGE>   51
the successors and assigns of such party; provided, however, that the Borrower
may not assign or delegate any of its duties, obligations or responsibilities
hereunder or under the Notes or any other Loan Document without the prior
written consent of each Lender, which consent shall be in each Lender's sole and
absolute discretion. All covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of
the Borrower which are contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to
which the Borrower is a party shall inure to the benefit of the successors and
assigns of the Agent and the Lenders.

               (b) LENDERS' RIGHT TO ASSIGN. Each Lender may assign to one or
more banks or other financial institutions regularly engaged in making or
acquiring loans all or a portion of its interest, rights and obligations under
this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Credit Commitment
and the Loans at the time owing to it and the Notes held by it); provided,
however, that (i) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an
affiliate of a Lender, the Agent (and the Borrower, so long as no Default or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) must give its prior written
consent to such assignment (which consents shall not be unreasonably withheld),
(ii) each such assignment shall be of a constant, and not a varying, percentage
of all the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, (iii)
the aggregate amount of the Loans and Commitments of the assigning Lender
subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and
Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Agent) shall not
be less than $5,000,000 (or, if less, all of the assigning Lender's Loans and
Commitments), (iv) the parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver
to the Agent an Assignment and Acceptance to the Agent, together with the Notes
subject to such assignment and a processing and recordation fee of $5,000, and
(v) each assignment shall include a ratable portion of such Lender's Revolving
Credit Commitment and Loans thereunder. Upon acceptance and recording pursuant
to paragraph (d) of this Section 9.04, from and after the effective date
specified in each Assignment and Acceptance which effective date shall be at
least five Business Days after the execution thereof, (A) the assignee
thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent provided in such
Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under
this Agreement and (B) the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent
provided in such assignment, be released from its 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, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto).

               (c) AGREEMENTS OF ASSIGNOR AND ASSIGNEE. By executing and
delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the assigning Lender thereunder and the
assignee thereunder shall be deemed to confirm to and agree with each other and
the other parties hereto as follows: (i) other than the representation and
warranty that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being
assigned thereby free and clear of any adverse claim, 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, any Note or any other Loan
Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto; (ii)
such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no
responsibility with respect to the financial condition of the Borrower or the
performance or observance by the Borrower of any of its obligations under this
Agreement, any Note or any other Loan Document or any other instrument or
document furnished pursuant hereto; (iii) such assignee confirms that 


                                      49.


<PAGE>   52
it has received a copy of this Agreement, together with copies of the most
recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.05 and 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; (iv) such
assignee will independently and without reliance upon the 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; (v) such assignee appoints and
authorizes the Agent to take such action as agent on it behalf and to exercise
such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to the Agent by the terms
hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (vi)
such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all the
obligations which by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by
it as a Lender.

               (d) RECORDING OF ASSIGNMENT. The Agent shall maintain at its
office in the City of Chicago a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered
to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the
Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to,
each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the "Register"). The
entries in the Register shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error and
the Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders may treat each person whose name is
recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for
all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection
by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time
upon reasonable prior notice.

               (e) ACCEPTANCE OF ASSIGNMENT BY AGENT. Upon its receipt of a duly
completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and assignee
together with the Notes subject to such assignment and the processing and
recording fee referred to in paragraph (b) above, the Agent shall (subject to
the consent of the Agent and the Borrower to such assignment, if required
pursuant to Section 9.04(b)), (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance, (ii)
record the information contained therein in the Register and, with respect to
any Assignment and Acceptance and allocation of commitments under this Agreement
by the Agent, record such information on Schedule 1.01 and (iii) give prompt
notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders. Within five Business Days after
receipt of notice, the Borrower, at its own expense, shall execute and deliver
to the Agent, in exchange for the surrendered Notes, new Notes to the order of
such assignee in a principal amount equal to the applicable Percentage assumed
by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance and, if the assigning Lender
has retained a Percentage, new Notes to the order of such assigning Lender in a
principal amount equal to the applicable Percentage retained by it. Such new
Notes shall be in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal
amount of such surrendered Notes; such new Notes shall be dated the date of the
surrendered Notes which they replace and shall otherwise be in substantially the
form of the Notes. Each canceled Note shall be returned to the Borrower.

               (f) PARTICIPATIONS. Each Lender may sell participations to one or
more banks or other entities in all or a portion of its rights and obligations
under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the
Loans owing to it and the Notes held by it); provided, however, that (i) such
Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such
Lender shall remain solely responsible to the Borrower for the performance of
such obligations, (iii) the participating banks or other entities shall be
entitled to the benefit of the cost protection provisions contained in Article
II to the same extent that the Lender from which such 


                                      50.


<PAGE>   53
participating bank or other entity acquired its participation would be entitled
to the benefit of such cost protection provisions had such Lender not sold such
participation(s) and (iv) the Borrower shall continue to deal solely and
directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and
obligations under this Agreement, and such Lender shall retain the sole right to
enforce the obligations of the Borrower relating to the Loans and to approve any
amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement (other than
amendments, modifications or waivers with respect to any fees payable hereunder
or the amount of principal of or the rate at which interest is payable on the
Loans, or the extension of maturity of principal of or interest on the Loans).

        SECTION 9.5 EXPENSES OF THE LENDERS; INDEMNITY. (a) The Borrower agrees
to pay all expenses reasonably incurred by the Agent (including the fees and
expenses of the Agent's counsel and its paralegals, field exam expenses and
related fees and environmental audit and appraisal fees) in connection with the
preparation and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
or with any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or
thereof (whether or not the Transactions shall be consummated) or reasonably
incurred by the Agent and each Lender (including the fees and expenses of the
Agent's or any Lender's counsel and its paralegals) in connection with the
enforcement of its rights in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan
Documents. The Borrower further agrees that it shall indemnify the Agent and
each Lender from and hold it harmless against any documentary taxes, assessments
or charges made by any governmental authority by reason of the execution and
delivery of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

               (b) The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Agent, each Lender and
their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents against,
and to hold each Lender and such Persons harmless from, any and all losses,
claims, damages, liabilities, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, and
related expenses, including legal and paralegal fees and expenses, incurred by
or asserted against such Lender or any such Persons arising out of, in any way
connected with, or as a result of any claim, investigation, litigation or other
proceeding (whether or not the Agent or such Lender is a party) relating to (i)
this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (ii) the performance by the parties
hereto and thereto of their respective obligations hereunder and thereunder
(including the making of the Commitment), (iii) consummation of the
Transactions, (iv) the release of Hazardous Materials, including any damage or
injury resulting from any such Hazardous Materials to or affecting the
Borrower's properties or the soil, water, air, vegetation, buildings, personal
property, persons or animals located on such properties or on any other property
or otherwise, or (v) any violation of any Environmental Laws. The foregoing
indemnity includes the cost of remedial action to the extent required to cause
the Borrower's properties to be in compliance with all applicable Environmental
Laws. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this indemnity shall not apply to any such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses arising solely from the
gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Agent or a Lender.

               (c) The relationship between the Borrower, the Agent and the
Lenders shall be solely that of borrower and lender. The Agent and the Lenders
shall not have any fiduciary responsibilities to the Borrower. The Agent and the
Lenders do not undertake any responsibility to the Borrower to review or inform
the Borrower of any matter in connection with any phase of the Borrower's
business or operations. The Borrower agrees that the Agent and the Lenders 


                                      51.


<PAGE>   54
shall not have liability to the Borrower (whether sounding in tort, contract or
otherwise) for losses suffered by the Borrower in connection with, arising out
of, or in any way related to, the Transactions and the relationship established
by the Loan Documents, or any act, omission or event occurring in connection
therewith, unless it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a
final and non-appealable order that such losses resulted from the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of the Person from which recovery is sought.
The Agent and the Lenders shall not have any liability with respect to, and the
Borrower hereby waives, releases and agrees not to sue for, any special,
indirect or consequential damages suffered by the Borrower in connection with,
arising out of, or in any way related to the Loan Documents or the transactions
contemplated thereby

               (d) The provisions of this Section shall remain operative and in
full force and effect regardless of the expiration of the term of this
Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the consummation of the Transactions, the
repayment of any of the Loans, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or
provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or any
investigation made by or on behalf of such Lender. All amounts due under this
Section 9.05 shall be payable on written demand in reasonable detail therefor.

        SECTION 9.6 RIGHT OF SETOFF. The Agent and each Lender are hereby
authorized at any time and from time to time after the occurrence and during the
continuance of an Event of Default to setoff and apply any and all deposits
(general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, whether held solely
or jointly with others) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time
owing by the Agent or any Lender to or for the credit or the account of the
Borrower (other than trust accounts held for the benefit of third parties in the
ordinary course of the Borrower's business) to amounts then due and payable
under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, irrespective of whether or
not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents. The rights of the Agent and the Lenders under this Section
9.06 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of
setoff) which the Agent and the Lenders may have under applicable law or under
the Loan Documents.

        SECTION 9.7 APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES AND EACH OF THE
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ILLINOIS CHOICE OF LAW
DOCTRINE.

        SECTION 9.8 WAIVERS. No failure or delay of the Agent or any Lender in
exercising any power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor
shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any
abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power,
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right or power. The rights and remedies of the Agent and the Lenders hereunder
are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which it would
otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement, the Notes or the
other Loan Documents, or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom
shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be authorized as provided
in Section 9.09, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the
specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on
the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower or the Agent to any other or
further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.


                                      52.


<PAGE>   55
        SECTION 9.9 AMENDMENTS.

               (a) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be
waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in
writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders; provided,
however, that no such agreement shall (i) decrease the principal amount of, or
extend or advance the maturity of any date for the payment of any fee or any
principal of or interest on, any Loan, or waive or excuse any such payment or
any part thereof, or decrease the rate of any fee or interest on any Loan,
without the prior written consent of each holder of a Note affected thereby,
(ii) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the prior written consent of
such Lender, (iii) amend or modify the provisions of this Section 9.09 or the
definition of the "Required Lender", without the prior written consent of each
Lender, or (iv) amend or modify any other provision of this Agreement or of the
other Loan Documents that would have the effect of releasing all or a
substantial portion of the collateral securing the Loans without the prior
written consent of each Lender; provided, further, that no such agreement shall
amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Agent hereunder
without the prior written consent of the Agent. Each Lender and each holder of a
Note shall be bound by any modification or amendment authorized by this Section
9.09 regardless of whether its Notes shall have been marked to make reference
thereto, and any consent by any Lender or holder of a Note pursuant to this
Section 9.09 shall bind any person subsequently acquiring a Note from it,
whether or not such Note shall have been so marked.

               (b) If, in connection with any proposed amendment, modification,
termination or waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement as contemplated
by clauses (i), (iii) or (iv) of Section 9.09(a), the consent of Required
Lenders is obtained but the consent of one or more other Lenders whose consent
is required is not obtained, then the Borrower shall have the right, so long as
all non-consenting Lenders are treated as described below, to replace each such
non-consenting Lender with one or more Replacement Lenders pursuant to Section
2.15 so long as each such Replacement Lender consents to the proposed amendment,
modification, termination or waiver.

        SECTION 9.10 SEVERABILITY. In the event any one or more of the
provisions contained in this Agreement, the Notes or the other Loan Documents
should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or
therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

        SECTION 9.11 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when
taken together shall constitute but one contract, and shall become effective
when copies hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of
the parties hereto shall be delivered or mailed to the Agent and the Borrower.

        SECTION 9.12 HEADINGS. Article and Section headings and the Table of
Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect
the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this
Agreement.

        SECTION 9.13 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
AGREES THAT ANY SUIT, ACTION, PROCEEDING OR CLAIM 


                                      53.


<PAGE>   56
AGAINST IT ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR ANY JUDGMENT ENTERED BY ANY COURT IN RESPECT THEREOF,
MAY BE BROUGHT OR ENFORCED IN THE STATE OR FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN CHICAGO,
ILLINOIS OR COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS AND THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO
THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY PROTECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR
HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY PROCEEDING BROUGHT ACCORDINGLY, AND FURTHER
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY CLAIMS THAT ANY SUCH PROCEEDING HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN
INCONVENIENT FORUM.

        SECTION 9.14 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE BORROWER, THE AGENT AND EACH
LENDER HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHT, POWER, OR REMEDY UNDER OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR UNDER OR IN
CONNECTION WITH ANY AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT, OR AGREEMENT DELIVERED OR
WHICH MAY IN THE FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH OR
ARISING FROM ANY BANKING RELATIONSHIP EXISTING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT
OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AND AGREE THAT ANY SUCH ACTION SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE
A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY. THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION
CONSTITUTE A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE PARTIES ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT.

        SECTION 9.15 INTEREST LIMITATION. Anything in this Agreement, the Notes
or any Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower shall never
be required to pay interest at a rate in excess of the highest lawful rate, and
if the effective rate of interest that would otherwise be payable under this
Agreement, the Notes or any Loan Document would exceed the highest lawful rate,
or if any holder of the Notes shall receive monies that are deemed to constitute
interest which would increase the effective rate of interest payable under this
Agreement, the Notes or any Loan Document to a rate in excess of the highest
lawful rate, then (a) the amount of interest that would otherwise be payable
under this Agreement, the Notes and the Loan Documents shall be reduced to the
amount allowed under applicable law, and (b) any interest paid in excess of the
highest lawful rate shall, at the option of the holders of the Notes, be either
refunded to the payor or credited on the principal of the Notes.

        SECTION 9.16 LOAN DOCUMENTS. In the event of any conflict or
inconsistency between the terms and provisions of this Agreement and those of
any other Loan Document, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall govern
and control to the extent of such conflict or inconsistency.

                            [signature pages follow]


                                      54.


<PAGE>   57
        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year first
above written.

                               BORROWER:

                               ARTECON CALIFORNIA


                               By: /s/ James L. Lambert
                                  -------------------------------
                               Its: President
                                   ------------------------------
                                  6305 El Camino Real
                                  Carlsbad, California  92009
                                  Attention:  Chief Financial Officer
                                  Telephone:  (760) 931-5500
                                  Facsimile:  (760) 931-5527

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year first
above written.

                               AGENT AND LENDER:

                               LASALLE NATIONAL BANK


                               By: Michael J. Burton
                                  -------------------------------
                               Its: First V.P.
                                   ------------------------------
                                  LaSalle National Bank
                                  135 South LaSalle Street
                                  Chicago, Illinois  60603
                                  Attention:  Michael J. Burton
                                  Telephone:  (312) 904-2677
                                  Facsimile:  (312) 904-6457


                                      55.


<PAGE>   58
                                  SCHEDULE 1.01

                                   ALLOCATIONS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Lender                Revolving Credit Commitment            Percentage
          ------                ---------------------------            ----------
<S>                             <C>                                    <C> 
LaSalle National Bank               $15,000,000                           100%
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   59
                                    EXHIBIT A

                                     FORM OF
                              REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE


                                                               Chicago, Illinois
                                                                    May __, 1998


$15,000,000.00


        FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ARTECON CALIFORNIA, a California corporation (the
"Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the order of LaSalle National Bank, a
national banking association, its successors and assigns (the "Lender"), at the
office of LaSalle National Bank, 135 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois, as
agent (the "Agent"), or pursuant to such other instructions or at such other
address as it shall designate, the principal sum of Fifteen Million United
States Dollars ($15,000,000.00) or, if less, the unpaid principal amount of all
Loans made under the Revolving Credit Facility at the time and in the amounts
provided in the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), in lawful money of
the United States and in immediately available funds, and to pay interest on the
outstanding principal amount of such Loans, in like money, until paid, at the
times, at the rates per annum and in the manner specified in the Credit
Agreement. The holder of this Note is authorized to record on this Note the
amount and the date of each borrowing, each payment of principal with respect
thereto pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and such other information as it may
deem necessary, which notations shall constitute prima facie evidence of the
accuracy of the information recorded. Failure of the holder of this Note to make
any such notation or any error therein shall not limit or otherwise affect the
obligations of the Borrower hereunder and the records of the holder of this Note
shall at all times be determinative of the unpaid balance of this Note (whether
or not the holder of this Note has made such notations on this Note.)

        This Note is one of the Revolving Credit Notes referred to in that
certain Credit Agreement dated as of May __, 1998 by and between the Borrower
and the lenders defined therein (as from time to time amended, modified,
restated or supplemented and in effect, the "Credit Agreement"), and is
expressly subject to the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement. All
capitalized terms used in this Note without definition shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

        The principal amount of this Note may be prepaid, reborrowed and repaid
by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. The
principal amount of this Note is subject to mandatory repayment in accordance
with the Credit Agreement.

        In accordance with the Loan Documents, the outstanding principal amount
hereof and all accrued interest thereon shall be due and payable to the Lender
on the Revolving Credit Termination Date without presentment, demand, protest or
notice of any kind, all of which, to 


                                  Exhibit A-1


<PAGE>   60
the extent permitted by applicable law, are hereby unconditionally and
irrevocably waived by the Borrower.

        Failure or delay of the Lender to enforce any provision of this Note
shall not be deemed a waiver of any such provision, and the Lender shall not be
prevented from enforcing any such provision at a later time. Any waiver of any
provision hereof must be in writing and signed by an authorized officer of the
Lender. Any such waiver, and any consent or approval shall be effective only in
the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it is given.

        The obligations of the Borrower to the Lender hereunder and under the
Credit Agreement are secured by the liens granted to the Agent on behalf of the
Agent and the Lenders by the Borrower pursuant to the Loan Documents, and the
holder of this Note is entitled to the benefits of the Loan Documents.

        THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW
OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ILLINOIS CHOICE OF LAW
PRINCIPLES.

                                                   BORROWER:

                                                   ARTECON CALIFORNIA


                                                   By:__________________________
                                                   Its:_________________________


                                  Exhibit A-2


<PAGE>   61
                                      GRID
             ATTACHED TO AND MADE PART OF THE REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE
                               DATED MAY __, 1998
                             FROM ARTECON CALIFORNIA
                        PAYABLE TO LASALLE NATIONAL BANK

                              SCHEDULE OF ADVANCES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Applicable Interest         Amount of 
Date of Loan     Amount of Loan             Rate               Principal Paid       Date of Payment      Notation Made By
------------     --------------             ----               --------------       ---------------      ----------------
<S>              <C>                 <C>                       <C>                  <C>                  <C>


</TABLE>


                                  Exhibit A-3


<PAGE>   62
                                    EXHIBIT B

This credit will be subject to the Uniform Customs and Practices for Documentary
Credits of the International Chamber of Commerce as adopted from time to time.

LASALLE NATIONAL BANK
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNATIONAL BANKING                                              LASALLE BANKS

300 West Monroe Street
Chicago, Illinois  60606-5002                           Date________________19__
                                                Applicant's Phone Number _______
APPLICATION FOR STANDBY                                   Contact Person _______
LETTER OF CREDIT                      Designated Party (Multi-Applicant) _______
                                                            (For Bank Use Only)
                                                      L/C No.___________________

Please issue an irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit substantially as set forth
below and forward the same to your correspondent (or advising bank, if indicated
below) for delivery to the Beneficiary or directly to the Beneficiary (as
applicable) by:

 Air Mail    Air Mail with short primary _______ advice    ____  Courier

__________ Bank (if any)           Applicant (name and address)



Beneficiary (name and address)     Amount (USD unless otherwise indicated)

                                   Expiry Date

                                   Presentation for Payment:  Drafts must 
                                   be drawn on you and presented with 
                                   accompanying documentation at your 
                                   office set forth above on or before the
                                   expiry date, unless otherwise indicated
                                   below.

Available by draft(s) at sight drawn on LaSalle National Bank, Chicago,
Illinois, accompanied by the following document(s): 

Benficiary's signed statement reading as follows:_______________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

Further Instructions (if any)___________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________


<PAGE>   63
Attachments (NOTE All attachments must also be signed.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All draft(s) drawn must be marked as drawn under this CREDIT. The original
Letter of Credit must be presented for endorsement at the time of payment.

[ ] drawings are [_____] permitted    [______] prohibited

<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
Charge our account for all payments and less      Your correspondents' charges.  If any, are for.
under this ______________ unless otherwise 
indicated.                                        [__] Our account.  [__] Beneficiary's account.

Account No.________________________________       
</TABLE>

PLEASE DATE AND OFFICIALLY SIGN THE AGREEMENT ON PAGE 5 OF THIS APPLICATION.


<PAGE>   64
            STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT (CORPORATE CUSTOMERS)

        In consideration of LaSalle National Bank, Chicago, Illinois (the
"Issuer") issuing an irrevocable standby letter of credit substantially in
accordance with the Application appearing on the reverse side hereof or attached
hereto (the "Application") and as such letter of credit may be amended (the
"Credit"), the undersigned, jointly and severally [illegible] is more than one
of the undersigned (the "Applicant") unconditionally and irrevocably agrees as
follows:

        1. ISSUER'S GENERAL OBLIGATIONS. Upon the issuance of a Credit, the
issuer's obligations to the Applicant with respect tot he Credit include good
faith and observance of general banking usage but do NOT include ability or
responsibility of any kind arising out of or in connection with (a) performance
of the underlying contract or other transactions between the Applicant and the
beneficiary or any other person (b) acts, errors, defaults or omissions of any
person other than the issuer including any use of the Credit by any such person
(c) loss or destruction of any telegram, cable, letter, instrument or document
[illegible] transit or in the possession of others (d) knowledge or lack of
knowledge of any custom or usage of any particular trade (e) transmission
delivery transaction or interpretation of any message including any
interruption, delay error or omission therein, (f) insufficiency, lack of
authorization, invalidity or lack of genuiness, truthfulness or error or fraud
in any documents presented under the Credit or in any instructions purporting to
be from the Applicant or the issuer's correspondent; (g) validity or correctness
of any transfer or proper identity of any transferee (if the Credit is issued in
transferable form), (h) waiver of any requirement which exists for the issuer's
protection and not the protection of the Applicant, or which waiver does not in
fact materially prejudice the Applicant, or (i) any other act or omission for
which banks are relieved of responsibility under the "Uniform Customs & Practice
[illegible] Documentary Credits of the international Chamber of Commerce
(hereinafter the "UCP"), in effect on the date hereof.

        2. ISSUER'S OBLIGATIONS CONCERNING DOCUMENTS.

               (a) The issuer's obligations relative to the Credit include the
examination of documents with reasonable care so as to ascertain that on their
face they appear to comply with the terms of Credit but NOT include inability or
responsibility of any kind arising out of or in connection with (i) validity,
sufficiency, truthfulness, genuiness or effect of documents which appear on
issuer's examination to be regular on their face, (ii) honor of drafts or
demands for payment which appear on issuer's examination to be regular on their
face, or (iii) the ultimate correctness of issuer's decision regarding
documentary compliance where such decision is based on the issuer's examination
of the documents or issuer's exercise of judgment in a manner not [illegible]
unreasonable. The issuer may in its discretion (but shall not be obligated to)
accept documents which substantially or reasonably comply with the terms of the
Credit.

               (b) Unless otherwise specified in the Application, the issuer may
in its discretion accept or honor in the case of negotiable Credits as complying
with the Credit (i) drafts or documents signed by or issued to the purported
agent, executor, administrator, liquidator, receiver, trustee in bankruptcy or
other legal representative of any party designated in the Credit, (ii) drafts
which fail to bear any or adequate reference to the Credit or notation to be
made on the Credit, or the Credit to be surrendered, or documents to be
forwarded apart from the draft whether or not required by the Credit (iii)
drafts or documents which comply under the 



<PAGE>   65
laws, rules, regulations and general banking or trade customs and usages of the
place of drawing or presentation, or (iv) drafts or documents which comply with
the UCP.

        3. PAYMENT; COMMISSION.

               (a) The Applicant shall pay the issuer in United States currency
at the office identified on the Application, the amount paid or to be paid by
the issuer or the issuer's agent or any party on issuer's behalf on each draft
or other order, instrument or demand draw, presented or purporting to be drawn
or presented under the Credit (the "term") together with all other amounts owing
to the issuer in connection therewith such payment to be made at the time of
honor of each item if so demanded by the issuer, on demand in advance of any
drawing in the case of items drawn in foreign currency, such payments shall be
at the issuer's current rate of exchange for transfers to the [illegible] of
payment in the currency in which such item is drawn (or, if for any reason the
issuer is unable to establish such a rate of exchange, in an amount equal to the
issuer's actual cost of settlement. The Applicant shall reimburse the issuer in
the same currency in which the item is payable provided that at the issuer's
action Application shall reimburse issuer in United States dollars for items
payable in a foreign currency at the rate at which issuer could see such foreign
currency in exchange for United States dollars for transfer of the place of
payment of the item or if there is no such rate, the United States dollar
equivalent of Applicant's actual cost of settlement. Applicant agrees to pay
issuer on demand in United States dollars such amounts as issuer may be required
to expend to comply with any and all governmental exchange regulations nor or
hereafter applicable to the purchase of foreign currency.

               (b) The Applicant shall pay the issuer on demand, in United
States currency, at the office as identified on the Application (i) a non
refundable commission at such rate as the issuer may establish (ii) interest on
all amounts due and owing to the issuer from and including the date such amount
is paid or incurred by the issuer or otherwise due and owing hereunder until
such amount is paid in full at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the lesser
of (x) issuer's Prime Rate plus two (2%) and (y) the maximum non-usurious rate
of interest permitted by applicable law in effect from time to time. "Prime
Rate" shall mean the rate in effect from time to time as set by the issuer and
called its Prime Rate for United States dollar loans which rate is not
necessarily the lowest or best interest rate offered by the issuer and interest
shall be calculated on the basis of a 360 day year for actual days elapsed
(unless such calculation would cause a usury violation in which event interest
shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days) (iii) all charges
and expenses including attorney's fees, legal expenses, court costs or similar
costs or liabilities from time to time paid or incurred by the issuer in
connection with the issuance or maintenance of the Credit, the performance under
the Credit and this Agreement and all transactions (including, without
limitation the involvement of the issuer in any court proceeding regarding the
Credit related to or contemplated by this Agreement including without
limitation, the creation, perfection maintenance protection, exercise
enforcement or other realization upon the issuer's interests rights and
remedies) and (iv) all charges and fees payable under any fee schedule of the
issuer in effect from time to time or as otherwise agrees.

               (c) All amounts payable by the Applicant hereunder shall be paid
at the office of the issuer, identified on the Application in immoderation
available and freely transferable funds at such pace or payment. The issuer is
authorized to set off or charge to any account or 



<PAGE>   66
other funds of the Applicant in issuer's possession all obligations of the
Applicant owing hereunder irrespective of the currency in which such account or
funds are denominated.

               (d) If as a result of any law regulation, treaty or directive or
any change therein or in the interpretation or application thereof or issuer's
compliance with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of
law) from any court or governmental authority agency instrumentality any
reserve, capital requirement, premium, special deposit, special assessment or
similar requirement against the issuer for such additional cost Determinations
by the issuer of the additional amounts required to compensate the issuer in
respect of the foregoing shall be [illegible], absent manifest error. The
Applicant further agrees to pay any applicable laws or other taxes imposed in
connection with the Credit other than net income taxes payable by the issuer and
to otherwise comply with all domestic and foreign laws and regulations
applicable to all transactions under or in connection with the Credit.

               (e) The issuer may (but shall not be obligated to) make a loan to
the Applicant in an amount equal to the reimbursement obligation of the
Applicant under Section 3(a) hereof and the issuer shall be hereby authorized to
apply the proceeds of such loan to the repayment of such reimbursement
obligation. Each such loan shall except to the extent otherwise agreed to in
writing between the Applicant and the issuer be due on demand and shall bear
interest payable on demand at the rate per annum set fort in Section 3.b.(ii)
hereof.

        4. GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST. The Applicant hereby grants to the issuer
as security for all of its obligations to the issuer, whether absolute or
contingent due or to become due now or hereafter arising from this or any other
agreement the issuer may have with the Applicant, a security interest in and
pledges to the issuer all property of the Applicant of any nature, including all
goods, equipment, inventory, accounts, instruments, charter paper documents and
general [illegible] nor or hereafter in the actual or constructive possession of
the issuer or its correspondents or in transit to the issuer or its
correspondents from or for the Applicant in any manner whatsoever whether
expressly as security or otherwise and all proceeds and products of the
foregoing (the "Collateral"). The issuer shall have all of the rights of a
secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code (as in effect from time to time
in any applicable jurisdictions in the Collateral and in addition as of the
rights specified in this Agreement including the right to set off or apply any
of the collateral to any of the Applicants obligations to the issuer at any time
without notice, in any other manner and amount the issuer may determine. The
Applicant shall execute any financing statements trust receipts or other
documents the issuer requests in order to perfect, maintain, protect, enforce or
realize on the security interest in the Collateral and the Applicant shall pay
all filing recording and other fees in connection otherwise. The Applicant
authorizes issuer to pay this Agreement or any statement instrument, document or
amendment without the Applicants signature in all public offices as the issuer
in its sole discretion may deem necessary to create preserve, perfect or
validate any men or security interest or to enable the issuer to exercise or
enforce its rights with respect to such [illegible] or security interest and
agrees to [illegible] the cost of filing or recording the same and all other
costs and expenses in connection with the custody, care, preservation,
protection or connection of the Collateral upon request the Applicant shall
deposit with the issuer such additional security the Applicants obligations as
the issuer may be in good faith deem necessary or advisable for its protection.



<PAGE>   67
        5. OBLIGATION OF APPLICANT; ASSUMPTION OF RISK BY APPLICANT;
INDEMNIFICATION OF ISSUER BY APPLICANT; SUBROGATION

               (a) The Applicant's obligations to the issuer hereunder are, and
shall remain, absolute and unconditional notwithstanding any lack of
enforceability of the Credit or the existence of any claim counterclaim defense
or right to set off the Applicant may have against the issuer.

               (b) The beneficiary or any other user of the Credit and any other
drawer of any draft or the presenter of any demand for payment thereunder shall
be deemed Applicant's agents and the Applicant assumes all risk, loss,
liability, charges and expenses with respect to their acts or omissions and also
with respect to any error, delay, misdelivery or loss in or arising out of the
transmission of telegrams, cables, letters or other communications, documents or
items forwarded in connection with the drafts or the Credit. The Applicant shall
not be relieved from any obligation or liability, nor shall the terms of this
Agreement be affected by the occurrence of the foregoing. Any action or inaction
by the issuer or its correspondents in connection with the Credit or with
instructions, drafts or documents relative to the Credit shall, if in good
faith, conclusively be deemed to have been authorized by the Applicant, and the
issuer shall have no liability therefor.

               (c) The Applicant shall indemnify the issuer and its
correspondents and shall defend and hold the issuer and its correspondents
harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, loss, costs, expenses
(including any attorney's fees) and liabilities of any nature whatsoever,
sustained or incurred or asserted in connection with the Credit, the payment or
acceptance or refusal to pay or accent any draft or other demand for payment and
any other action or inaction in reliance upon the provisions of this Agreement
except, only if and to the extent shall any such claims, damages, loss, expenses
or liabilities, shall have been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction
to have been directly caused by the willful misconduct or gross negligence of
the issuer in performing its obligations under the Credit or by the issuer's
failure to make payment of any drawing or other demand for payment made in
strict conformity with the Credit, it is understood that in making payment under
the Credit the issuer's exclusive reliance on the documents presented to the
issuer in accordance with the terms of the Credit as to any and all matters set
forth therein, whether or not any statement or any document presented pursuant
to the Credit proves to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any
respect whatsoever, shall not be deemed willful misconduct or gross negligence
of the issuer.

               (d) The issuer shall be subrogated (for purposes of defending
against the Applicants claims and processing against others to the extent of the
issuer's liability to the Applicant) to the Applicant's rights against any
person who may be liable to the Applicant on any underlying transaction, to the
rights of any holder in due course or person with similar status against the
Applicant and the rights of the beneficiary or its assignee or person with
similar status against the Applicant.

               (e) The Applicant certifies that transactions in any commodities
covered by the Application are not prohibited under the foreign assets control
regulations of the United States Treasury Department and that any importation
covered by the Application conforms in every respect with as United States
regulations then in effect.



<PAGE>   68
        6. DEFAULT; REMEDIES

               (a) The Applicant shall be in default under this Agreement upon
the occurrence of any of the following (i) any failure by the Applicant to pay
or perform when and as due hereunder any of its [illegible] or liabilities under
this Agreement or any other agreement with the issuer or instrument delivered to
the issuer, including without limitation the Application's [illegible] to pay
[illegible] as sums due to the issuer (ii) any failure to furnish upon the
issuer's demand, additional security satisfactory to the issuer, (iii) any
failure to the furnish upon demand any financial information the issuer may
request or to permit an inspection of Applicant's books, records and accounts at
any reasonable time, (iv) any act or event evidencing or reasonably appearing to
evidence the bankruptcy reorganization, rehabilitation arrangement liquidation,
insolvency or financial instability of any party, hereto signing as an Applicant
or any guarantor thereof, (v) any material misrepresentation made in connection
with the Credit; (vi) any default by Applicant under any agreement involving the
borrowing of money or the containing of credit (vi) the death of a guardian
conservator or similar representative of any party signing as an Applicant or of
any guarantor thereof or (viii) any other act, event or occurrence which in the
issuer's sole judgment impairs the issuers security or increases its risk.

               (b) Upon default all obligations and liabilities of the Applicant
to the issuer of whatever nature whether contingent or absolute shall become
immediately due and payable without [illegible] notice or demand and without
notice or intention to accelerate or notice of acceleration, all of which are
hereby waived and, without [illegible] the foregoing and any other rights of the
issuer hereunder the Applicant shall immediately pay to the issuer an amount
equal to the available undrawn amount of the Credit. The issuer shall have all
the rights and remedies of a secured party under the uniform Commercial Code,
and in addition to such rights and remedies, the Applicant further agrees that
any default under this Agreement shall also be a default under all other
agreements with the issuer.

               (c) All amounts due and payable shall accrue from and including
the date such amount is paid or incurred by the issuer until payment if full, at
the rate per annum set forth in Section 3(b)(ii) hereof.

        7. WAIVER BY ISSUER; ACTS NOT AFFECTING AGREEMENT. The issuer shall have
no duty to exercise any of its rights hereunder, and shall not be liable for any
failure or delay in doing so no failure or delay on the party of the issuer or
its correspondents shall operate as a waiver, and no notice to or demand by the
issuer or its correspondents shall be deemed a waiver of the issuer's right to
take any other or further action without notice or demand issuer's rights,
including as security interests in [illegible]; and Applicants [illegible] and
liabilities under this Agreement shall continue unimpaired and this Agreement
shall remain binding upon each party hereto signing as an Applicant
notwithstanding (a) release or substitution of any [illegible] or any right or
interest therein (b) extension of the maturity or time for presentation of
drafts, acceptances or documents (c) any other modification of the terms of the
Credit at the request or any party hereto signing as an Applicant, with or
without notification to any other party, or (d) any increase in the amount of
the Credit at the request of any party hereto. No delay extension of time,
renewal, compromise or other indulgence which the issuer may permit in
connection with any of its rights hereunder shall impair those rights and the
issuer shall not be deemed to have waived any rights unless such waiver is in
writing and signed by the issuer of its authorizing 



<PAGE>   69
agent nor shall any such waiver constitute a waiver of any other rights of the
same right at any future time.

        8. SOLE OBLIGATION OF ISSUER. Without [illegible] any other provision
herein [illegible] issuer is hereby expressly authorized and directed to honor
any request for payment which is made under and in compliance with the terms of
the Credit without regard [illegible] and without any duly on the part of the
issuer to inquire into the existence of any disputes or controversies between
any of the Applicant the beneficiary of the Credit or any other person firm or
corporation, or the respective rights, duties or liabilities of any of them or
whether any facts represented in any of the documents presented under the Credit
are true or correct. Furthermore, the Applicant agrees that the issuer's
obligation to the Applicant shall be limited to honoring requests for payment
made under and in compliance with the terms of the Credit and this Agreement and
the issuer's obligation remains so limited even if the issuer may have assisted
in the preparation of the wording of the Credit or any documents required to be
presented thereunder or the issuer may otherwise be aware of the underlying
transaction giving rise to the Credit and this Agreement.

        9. DURATION OF AGREEMENT; BINDING UPON SUCCESSORS; INDEMNITY. This
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the issuer has actually
received written notice to the company from the Applicant and after receipt of
such written notice shall continue in full force and effect as to all
transactions between the Applicant and the issuer commenced prior to the date of
such receipt. All indemnities, covenants, agreements, representations and
warranties made in this Agreement shall survive the issuance by the issuer of
the Credit and shall continue in full force and effect so long as the Credit or
any portion thereof shall be unexpired or any sums drawn thereunder or other
amounts owing thereunder shall remain unpaid provided however that the
provisions of Section 2(b)(iii), 3(d), 5(c), 9, 11, 12(b), 12(c) and 12(k) shall
survive the termination of this Agreement. This Agreement shall not be revoked
or impaired by the death of any party hereto, by the revocation or release of
[illegible] obligations hereunder of any one or more parties hereto (or if any
party hereto shall be a partnership by any changes in the parties composing the
partnership. If this agreement is terminated or revoked as to any party for any
reason the Applicant shall indemnify and hold the issuer harmless from any loss
incurred in acting hereunder prior to the actual [illegible] of written notice
of such termination or revocation. The invalidity or lack of enforceability of
any provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforcement, or any other
provision hereof if this Agreement is signed by two or more parties it shall
constitute the joint and several agreement of such parties, provided that the
Designated Party as defined below shall have the exclusive right to issue all
instructions relating to the Credit including without limitation instructions as
to the disposition of documents and any [illegible] waivers of discrepancies and
to agree with the issuer upon any amendments, modifications, extensions,
renewals or increases in the Credit or the further financing or refinancing of
any transaction effected hereunder irrespective of whether the same may now or
hereafter affect the rights of any party hereto or their legal representatives,
heirs or assigns the Designated Party shall have specimen signatures on file
with the issuer and the issuer may give any notices to the Designated Party
without notice to any other party.

        10. LAW GOVERNING. The credit and this Agreement shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois applicable to
contracts made and to be wholly performed within such State. Unless inconsistent
with such state law or except so far 



<PAGE>   70
as expressly stated in the Credit, the Credit and this Agreement are subject to
the terms of the UCP in effect on the date of the Application, provided,
however, that, without limiting the foregoing, Articles 45 and 47 of UCP 400 and
Articles 41 and 43 of UCP 500 shall have no application to the Credit or this
Agreement in the absence of proof expressly to the contrary, the UCP shall serve
as evidence of general banking usage.

        11. GROSS-UP PROVISION. Any and all payments made to issuer hereunder
shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for any
present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings of
any nature, and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding taxed imposed on
net income of the issuer and all income and franchise taxes of the United States
and any political subdivision thereof imposed on the issuer (all such
non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings and
liabilities are referred to herein as taxes) if the Applicant shall be required
by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect to any sum payable hereunder (I)
the sum payable shall be increased as may be necessary so that after making all
required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable
under this Section 11, the issuer shall receive an amount equal to the sum the
issuer would have received and no deductions been made): (a) the Applicant shall
make as such deductions and (b) the Applicant shall pay the full amount deducted
to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in compliance with
applicable law. The Applicant shall indemnify the issuer for the full amount of
Taxes (including without limitation and Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on
amounts payable hereunder) paid by the issuer and any party (including
penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto
whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally asserted. Payment upon this
indemnification shall be made within thirty (30) days from the date the issuer
makes written demand therefor. Within thirty (30) days after date of the payment
of Taxes the Applicant shall furnish to the issuer the original or certified
copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof.

        12. OTHER TERMS.

               (a) If the Credit shall contain any provision for automatic
renewal the Applicant acknowledges and agrees that the issuer is under no
obligation to allow such renewal to occur and any such renewal shall remain
within the sole and absolute discretion of the issuer. The Applicant hereby
irrevocably consents to the automatic renewal of such Credit in accordance with
its terms should the issuer decide to allow such renewal to occur, provided,
however, that the Applicant shall have the right to request the issuer to
disallow such renewal on the condition that the Applicant shall give the issuer
prior written notice of such request not less than thirty (30) days prior to the
deadline imposed upon the issuer for notification to the beneficiary of
non-renewal of the Credit.

               (b) The Applicant shall indemnify the issuer against any loss
incurred by the issuer as a result of any judgment or order being given or made
for the payment of any amount due hereunder in a particular currency (the
Currency of Account) and such judgment or order being expressed in a currency
(the Judgment Currency) other than the Currency of Account and as a result of
any variation having occurred in the rates of exchange between the date when
such amount is converted into the Judgment Currency and the date of actual
payment pursuant thereto. The foregoing indemnify shall constitute a separate
and independent obligation to the Applicant.



<PAGE>   71
               (c) Each party signing as Applicant and any guarantor thereof
agree that if any amount paid to the issuer hereunder is rescinded or must be
otherwise restored or returned by the issuer due to the insolvency, bankruptcy,
liquidation or reorganization of any party hereto each party's obligations
hereunder with respect to each such amount shall be reinstated to the same
extent as if such payment had not been made.

               (d) The Applicant authorizes the issuer to set forth the terms of
the Application in the Credit in such language as the issuer deems appropriate
with such variations from such terms as the issuer may in its discretion
determine to be necessary (which determination shall be conclusive) and not
materially inconsistent with the Application if Applicant or in the case of more
than one Applicant the Designated Party does not notify the issuer within ten
(10) calendar days of its issuance. Applicant agrees that such Credit is
conclusively presumed to be in proper form. Upon receipt of timely notice of any
discrepancy in the Credit the issuer will endeavor to obtain the consent of the
confirming party if any, and the beneficiary for an appropriate modification to
the Credit, provided, however, that the issuer shall assume no liability or
responsibility for its failure to obtain such consent.

               (e) No Party to this Agreement may assign its rights or
obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the issuer
provided that the obligations of the issuer under this Agreement may be provided
or fulfilled by any affiliate of the issuer so long as the issuer assumes full
responsibility for such obligations.

               (f) This Agreement and any exhibits hereto constitute the entire
agreement among the parties and supersede any and all prior agreements,
proposals, negotiations and representations pertaining to the obligations and
duties to be performed under this Agreement. No amendments or modifications of
this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by or on behalf of
Applicant and Issuer.

               (g) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices
required to be given pursuant to this Agreement, all notices required to be
given pursuant to this Agreement shall be effective when received and shall be
sufficient if given in writing hand delivered or sent by First Class United
States Mail postage prepaid air courier or telecopier and addressed to the
appropriate party at its address as shown on the signature page hereof or at
such other address as the sending party shall have been advised in writing.

               (h) Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall as to such jurisdiction be ineffective
to the extent of such prohibition or lack of enforceability without invalidating
the remaining provisions hereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of
such provision in any other jurisdiction. Wherever possible each provision of
this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid
under applicable law.

               (i) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts
and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts each of which when so
executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of when taken
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.



<PAGE>   72
               (j) Regardless of the expiry date of the Credit, the Applicant
shall remain liable hereunder until the issuer is released from liability by
every person, firm, corporation or other entity which is entitled to draw or
demand payment under the Credit.

               (k) Applicant agrees to indemnify and hold Issuer harmless from
each and every claim, demand, liability, loss, cost or expense, including, but
not limited to, attorneys fees and court costs which may arise or be created by
Issuer's acceptance of telecommunication instructions in connection with the
[illegible] including , but not limited to, telephone or facsimile instructions
in connection with any waiver or discrepancies.

               (l) Applicant, or in the case of more than one person signing as
Applicant, the Designated Party agrees to examine promptly all instruments and
documents [illegible] to the Applicant or Designated Party as the case may be
from time to time and in the event the Applicant or Designated Party shall have
any claim of non-compliance with [illegible] instructions or of discrepancies or
other irregularity the Applicant or the Designated Party, as the case may be,
shall immediately notify the Issuer thereof in writing. The Applicant and the
Designated Party shall conclusively be deemed to have waived any such claim
against the Issuer unless such immediate notice is given as stated above.

               (m) For multiple partners signing as Applicant, such parties may
request that the Credit be issued with the name of one of the Applicants and
agrees that such party shall be the Designated Party for the purposes of this
Agreement.

               (n) The parties hereto each hereby submit to the jurisdiction of
the courts of the State of Illinois the venue of which shall be in the county of
Cook and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
as well as to the jurisdiction of all courts to which an appeal may be taken or
other review sought from the aforesaid courts for the purpose of any suit,
action or other proceeding arising out of Applicant's obligation under or with
respect to this Agreement and the Credit and expressly waive any and all
objections they may have as to venue in any such courts ISSUER AND APPLICANT
EACH WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY
EITHER OF THEM AGAINST THE OTHER ON ANY MATTER WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT
LIMITATION, ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY
CONNECTED HEREIN OR THEREIN). No party to this Agreement, including but not
limited to any assignee or successor or a party that seek a jury that in any
lawsuit, proceeding, counterclaim or any other litigation procedure based upon,
or arising out of this Agreement, the Credit, any related instruments, any
Collateral or the dealings or the relationship between the parties. No party
will seek to consolidate any such action, in which a jury trial has been waived
with any other action in which a jury trial cannot be or has not been waived.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH HAVE BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY THE PARTIES HERETO
WITH LEGAL COUNSEL AND THESE PROVISIONS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO NO EXCEPTIONS. NO
PARTY HAS IN ANY WAY AGREED WITH OR REPRESENTED TO ANY OTHER PARTY THAT THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH WILL NOT BE FULLY ENFORCED IN ALL INSTANCES.

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________


<PAGE>   73
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________


        IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed
by their duly authorized officers as of this _____ day of _____________ 199___.


______________________________               ___________________________________
(Applicant)                                  (Applicant)


By:___________________________               By:________________________________
Name__________________________               Name_______________________________
Title_________________________               Title______________________________


Address:______________________               Address:__________________________
______________________________               ___________________________________
______________________________               ___________________________________


<PAGE>   74
                                FOR BANK USE ONLY

LC#__________________  Amount $_______________  Date _______________________

Borrower________________  Branch # _______________  Bank # _________________

New Commercial Borrower   [ ] Yes [ ] No   Participation Sold [ ] Yes [ ] No

Customer Account # _________________ Name of Bank__________________________

New L/C Customer [ ] Yes   [ ] No       Amount of % Sold___________________

Collateral Code ________   _________    DDA Account #______________________


LOAN COMMITTEE APPROVAL/REVIEW DATE: _________________ (when required)

                        APPROVED BY: _________________ Account Officer
                                     _________________ Division Head
                                     _________________ Group Head
                                     _________________ Control Administrator

Commission Fee:

__________%    per annum on a 360-day basis
               for actual days.  Bill/debit
               customers account (please
               specify).


<PAGE>   75
                                    EXHIBIT C

                       ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT


        THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE (as from time to time amended, modified,
restated, supplemented and in effect, this "Assignment and Acceptance") is
entered into as of ___________, ____ by and between [insert Assignor Lender]
(the "Assignor") and [insert Assignee Lender] (the "Assignee"). Reference is
made to the Credit Agreement dated as of April __, 1998 (the "Agreement"), among
ARTECON CALIFORNIA, a California corporation (the "Borrower"), the financial
institutions party to the Credit Agreement (the "Lenders") and LASALLE NATIONAL
BANK, a national banking association, its successors and assigns, as agent for
the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Agent"). Capitalized terms used herein and
not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement.

        The Assignor and Assignee agree as follows:

        13. The Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the
Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from the Assignor, a ___% interest in and
to all the Assignor's rights and obligations under the Agreement as of the
Effective Date (as defined below) (including, without limitation, such
percentage interest in the Revolving Credit Commitment of the Assignor on the
Effective Date, such percentage interest in the Loans owing to the Assignor
outstanding on the Effective Date, together with such percentage interest in all
unpaid interest and fees and other amounts due with respect to such Loans
accrued to the Effective Date). Such purchase and sale is made without recourse.

        14. The Assignor (i) represents that as of the date hereof, (A) its
Revolving Credit Commitment (without giving effect to assignments thereof which
have not yet become effective) is $________ and (B) the outstanding balance of
its Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility (unreduced by any assignments
thereof which have not yet become effective) is $___________; (ii) makes no
representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any
statement, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the
Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness,
sufficiency or value of the Agreement, the Notes, any Loan Documents or any
other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto, other than that it is
the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder
and that such interest is free and clear of any adverse claim; and (iii) makes
no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the
financial condition of the Borrower or any other Person or the performance or
observance by the Borrower of its obligations under the Agreement or the Loan
Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto.

        15. The Assignee (i) represents and warrants that it is legally
authorized to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance; (ii) confirms that it
has received a copy of the Agreement, together with copies of the most recent
financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.05 thereof and such other
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit
analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance; (iii)
agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent, the
Assignor or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it
shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its



<PAGE>   76
own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance;
(iii) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent,
the Assignor 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 the Agreement; (iv) appoints and authorizes
the Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers
under the Agreement as are delegated to the Agent by the terms thereof, together
with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; (vi) agrees that it will
perform in accordance with their terms all obligations which by the terms of the
Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender; (vii) represents that
on the date of this Assignment and Acceptance it is not presently aware of any
facts that would cause it to make a claim under the Agreement; and (viii) if
organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States, attaches
the forms prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States, which
have been duly executed, certifying as to the Assignee's exemption from United
States withholding taxes with respect to all payments to be made to the Assignee
under the Agreement or such other documents as are necessary to indicate that
all such payments are subject to such tax at a rate reduced by an applicable tax
treaty.

        16. The effective date for this Assignment and Acceptance shall be
___________, ____ (the "Effective Date"), which date, in accordance with Section
9.04 of the Agreement, is at least five Business Days after the execution of
this Assignment and Acceptance. Following the execution of this Agreement and
Acceptance, it will be delivered to the Agent for acceptance and recording by
the Agent pursuant to Section 9.04 of the Agreement.

        17. Upon such acceptance and recording, from and after the Effective
Date, (i) the Assignee shall be a party to the Agreement and, to the extent
provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a
Bank thereunder and (ii) the Assignor shall, to the extent provided in this
Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its
obligations under the Agreement.

        18. Upon such acceptance and recording, from and after the Effective
Date, the Agent shall make all payments in respect of the interest assigned
hereby (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to
the Assignee. The Assignor and Assignee shall make all appropriate adjustments
in payments for periods prior to the Effective Date by the Agent or with respect
to the making of this assignment directly between themselves.

        19. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the law of the State of Illinois applicable to agreements
made an to be performed in Illinois.

                                   [NAME OF ASSIGNOR],


                                   By: _______________________________________

                                   Title:_____________________________________


<PAGE>   77
                                   [NAME OF ASSIGNOR],


                                   By: _______________________________________

                                   Title:_____________________________________


Accepted this __ day of ______________, ____


LASALLE NATIONAL BANK,
as Agent

By: _______________________________________

Title:_____________________________________

<PAGE>   78
                                    EXHIBIT D

                           BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE
                            AS OF ___________________


LaSalle National Bank, as Agent
   and Lenders
135 South LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL  60603
Attention: Michael J. Burton

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                             <C>
     REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

     Accounts                                                                   $________________
               Less:  Uninsured or unsupported foreign
                      over 90 days
                      government
                      25% or more ineligible
                      Credits in Prior
                      Other Ineligibles
        Net Eligible Accounts

(1)     X 85% Advance Rate
        Inventory                                                               $________________
               Less:  Work-in-process
                      Off Premises without LL waiver
                      Obsolete
                      Other Ineligibles
        Net Eligible Inventory

(2)          Lesser of (a) Net Eligible Inventory X 30% 
             Advance Rate and (b) $5,000,000
        Revolving Credit Borrowing Base (sum of (1) and (2))
               Less:  Outstanding Loans
                      Letters of Credit Outstandings
                      Reserves
        Net Availability                                                        $________________
</TABLE>


                            [signature page follows]


<PAGE>   79
        The undersigned Financial Officer hereby certifies that the above
information is true and correct as of the date set forth above.

                                   ARTECON CALIFORNIA


                                   By:_________________________________________
                                         Financial Officer


<PAGE>   80
                                    EXHIBIT E

                             COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

                                                               Date:____________


LaSalle National Bank, as Agent
   and Lenders
135 South LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL  60603
Attention: Michael J. Burton

        Pursuant to Section 5.05(e) of the Credit Agreement by and among LaSalle
National Bank, as Agent, certain Lenders and Artecon California, dated as of
April __, 1998 (the same, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), the
undersigned does hereby certify to you as of this date as follows (all
capitalized terms shall have the meaning set forth in the Credit Agreement):

        (a)     After giving effect to any Loan or issuance of any Letter of
                Credit on or about the above date under the Revolving Credit
                Facility, the Revolving Credit Utilizations do not exceed the
                Revolving Credit Availability;

        (b)     The representations and warranties set forth in Article III of
                the Credit Agreement are true and correct in all material
                respects;

        (c)     The Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with all
                the terms and provisions contained in the Credit Agreement and
                in the other Loan Documents, and no Default or Event of Default
                has occurred or is continuing; and

        (d)     The financial covenants calculated on Schedule 1 hereto are
                correct and complete as of the dates indicated therein.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this certificate to be
duly executed and delivered as of the date set forth above.

                                   ARTECON CALIFORNIA


                                   By:_________________________________________
                                         Financial Officer


<PAGE>   81
                                   SCHEDULE 1

                          FINANCIAL COVENANT COMPLIANCE

                                                                  Date: ________



<TABLE>
<S>                                                              <C>
A.   Consolidated Net Income (for applicable period)

     Amount:                                                      $
     Requirement:                                                 $
     Compliance:                                                   yes/no

B.   Consolidated Tangible Net Worth

          Consolidated Stockholder's Equity:                     $
          less intangibles:                                      ($     )

          Amount:                                                 $
          Requirement:                                            $
          Compliance:                                              yes/no
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   82
                                 PROMISSORY NOTE



$1,250,000                                                       August 21, 1997
                                                           San Diego, California

        For value received, the undersigned (collectively "Payor") promises to
pay to FALCON SYSTEMS, INC. ("FALCON"), a California corporation, or order
("Holder"), in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately
available funds, the principal sum of one million two hundred fifty thousand
dollars ($1,250,000) (the "Principal Amount") together with interest thereon at
the times and in the manner set forth below.

        This note (the "Note") is executed and delivered as part of the Purchase
Price pursuant to that certain Asset Purchase Agreement of even date herewith
among Payor, Holder and the sole shareholder of Holder (the "Purchase
Agreement"). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Note, this Note shall
be subject in all respects to the provisions of that certain Indemnity Agreement
of even date herewith among Payor, Founding Partners, a California general
partnership (the "Partnership"), each Partner of the Partnership, Falcon and
Craig Caudill (the "Indemnity Agreement"), including but not limited to Section
1(d), 1(e) and 2 of the Indemnity Agreement.

        1. REPAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST. Subject to the terms of this
Note, the outstanding Principal Amount shall be repaid, together with accrued
interest thereon as provided below, in equal monthly combined principal and
interest payment of twenty-six thousand five hundred fifty eight dollars and
eighty-one cents $26,558.81, with the first payment due on the date that is one
(1) month from the date hereof and subsequent payments due each monthly
anniversary thereafter for a period of five years following the date hereof.

        2. INTEREST RATE. Subject to the terms of this Note, Payor promises to
pay interest on the outstanding principal amount hereof from the date hereof
until payment in full in accordance with paragraph 1, which interest shall be
payable at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum or the maximum rate
permissible by law (which under the laws of California shall be deemed to be the
laws relating to permissible rates of interest on commercial loans), whichever
is less.

        3. DEFAULT RATE. If the undersigned fails to pay any of the principal or
accrued interest when due, then all unpaid amounts, including all accrued but
unpaid interest, shall bear interest at 18% per annum, or the maximum rate
permissible by law in the event of a default of a promissory note of this type
and nature, whichever is less.


                                       1.


<PAGE>   83
        4. PLACE OF PAYMENT. Payments on this Note shall be payable at Holder's
office located at 485 Crocker Road, Sacramento, California 95864, unless another
place of payment shall be specified in writing by Holder.

        5. SECURITY. This note is subject to the security and subordination
provisions of that certain Security Agreement by and between Artecon, Inc., a
California corporation, and Holder of even date herewith (the "Security
Agreement"), as well as the security provisions of that certain Subordination
Agreement by and among Payor and Holder of as of the date hereof.

        6. APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. Payments on this Note shall be applied first
to accrued interest, and thereafter to the outstanding principal balance
thereof.

        7. PREPAYMENTS. This Note may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time
without premium or penalty.

        8. MISCELLANEOUS.

               (a) This Note will be considered in default if, after fifteen
(15) days following written notice to Payor of Payor's failure to make any
payment of principal or accrued interest hereunder, such failure remains uncured
(provided that such notice shall not be required more than three times in any
calendar year). In such event, at Holder's option, all outstanding principal and
accrued interest and any other amounts payable under this Note will become due
and payable.

               (b) Except as otherwise provided in this Note, Payor, all
endorsers, guarantors and sureties of this Note, and each of them, and their
successors and assigns, hereby waive demand, presentment for payment, notice of
non-payment, protest and notice of protest, and notice of dishonor, and
expressly agree that without notice, this Note or any payment due date hereunder
may be extended from time to time, and consent to acceptance of additional or
substitute parties or both, or the release of any party liable with respect to
this Note, all without affecting in any way their liability.

               (c) If Payor fails to make any interest or installment payment
when due, Payor promises to pay all costs and expenses of collection and
reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by Holder to enforce the terms of this Note
and/or the Security Agreement including, without limitation, those expenses and
fees which may be incurred in connection with the appointment of a receiver and
all appearances in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings. In any action brought
under or arising out of this Note, Payor hereby consents to the jurisdiction of
any competent court within the State of California and to service of process by
any means authorized by California law.


                                       2.


<PAGE>   84
               (d) Holder shall, at all times, have the right to proceed against
any portion of the security for this Note in such order and in such manner as
Holder may consider appropriate without waiving any rights with respect to any
such security. Any delay or omission on the part of Holder in exercising any
right hereunder shall not operate as a waiver of such right, or any other right
under this Note.

               (e) This Note may not be terminated or amended orally, but only
by a termination or amendment in writing signed by Holder.

               (f) Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by, and construed
and entered in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, as applied
to contracts entered into by California residents within the State of
California, which contracts are to be performed entirely within the State of
California.

               (g) The provisions of this Note shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding on any successor to Payor and shall extend to any holder hereof.

                                            ARTECON, INC.


                                            By: /s/ James L. Lambert
                                               -------------------------------
                                                 James L. Lambert, President


                                       3.


<PAGE>   85
                              REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE


                                                               Chicago, Illinois
                                                                    May 15, 1998


$15,000,000.00


        FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ARTECON CALIFORNIA, a California corporation (the
"Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the order of LaSalle National Bank, a
national banking association, its successors and assigns (the "Lender"), at the
office of LaSalle National Bank, 135 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois, as
agent (the "Agent"), or pursuant to such other instructions or at such other
address as it shall designate, the principal sum of Fifteen Million United
States Dollars ($15,000,000.00) or, if less, the unpaid principal amount of all
Loans made under the Revolving Credit Facility at the time and in the amounts
provided in the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), in lawful money of
the United States and in immediately available funds, and to pay interest on the
outstanding principal amount of such Loans, in like money, until paid, at the
times, at the rates per annum and in the manner specified in the Credit
Agreement. The holder of this Note is authorized to record on this Note the
amount and the date of each borrowing, each payment of principal with respect
thereto pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and such other information as it may
deem necessary, which notations shall constitute prima facie evidence of the
accuracy of the information recorded. Failure of the holder of this Note to make
any such notation or any error therein shall not limit or otherwise affect the
obligations of the Borrower hereunder and the records of the holder of this Note
shall at all times be determinative of the unpaid balance of this Note (whether
or not the holder of this Note has made such notations on this Note.)

        This Note is one of the Revolving Credit Notes referred to in that
certain Credit Agreement dated as of May 15, 1998 by and between the Borrower
and the lenders defined therein (as from time to time amended, modified,
restated or supplemented and in effect, the "Credit Agreement"), and is
expressly subject to the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement. All
capitalized terms used in this Note without definition shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

        The principal amount of this Note may be prepaid, reborrowed and repaid
by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. The
principal amount of this Note is subject to mandatory repayment in accordance
with the Credit Agreement.

        In accordance with the Loan Documents, the outstanding principal amount
hereof and all accrued interest thereon shall be due and payable to the Lender
on the Revolving Credit Termination Date without presentment, demand, protest or
notice of any kind, all of which, to the extent permitted by applicable law, are
hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waived by the Borrower.

        Failure or delay of the Lender to enforce any provision of this Note
shall not be deemed a waiver of any such provision, and the Lender shall not be
prevented from enforcing any such provision at a later time. Any waiver of any
provision hereof must be in writing and signed by 


                                       1.


<PAGE>   86
an authorized officer of the Lender. Any such waiver, and any consent or
approval shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific
purpose for which it is given.

        The obligations of the Borrower to the Lender hereunder and under the
Credit Agreement are secured by the liens granted to the Agent on behalf of the
Agent and the Lenders by the Borrower pursuant to the Loan Documents, and the
holder of this Note is entitled to the benefits of the Loan Documents.

        THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW
OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ILLINOIS CHOICE OF LAW
PRINCIPLES.

                                            BORROWER:

                                            ARTECON CALIFORNIA


                                            By: /s/ James L. Lambert
                                               -------------------------------
                                            Its: President
                                                ------------------------------


                                       2.


<PAGE>   87
                                      GRID
             Attached to and made part of the Revolving Credit Note
                               dated May 15, 1998
                             from ARTECON CALIFORNIA
                        payable to LASALLE NATIONAL BANK

                              SCHEDULE OF ADVANCES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Applicable Interest       Amount of 
Date of Loan     Amount of Loan             Rate             Principal Paid   Date of Payment   Notation Made By
------------     --------------             ----             --------------   ---------------   ----------------
<S>              <C>                 <C>                     <C>              <C>               <C>


</TABLE>


                                       1.


<PAGE>   88
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT


        THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT is entered into as of May 15, 1998 (as from time
to time amended, modified, restated, supplemented and in effect, this "Security
Agreement"), by and between ARTECON CALIFORNIA, a California corporation
("Borrower"), and LASALLE NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association, its
successors and assigns as agent (the "Agent") for certain Lenders pursuant to
the Credit Agreement (as hereafter defined).

                                    RECITALS

        A. Pursuant to and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit
Agreement between the Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders party thereto dated
the date hereof (as from time to time amended, modified, restated, supplemented
and in effect, the "Credit Agreement"), the Agent and the Lenders have agreed to
make certain secured credit facilities available to the Borrower. All
capitalized terms used in this Security Agreement without definition shall have
the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

        B. In order to induce the Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit
Agreement and to make the Loans thereunder, and in consideration therefor, the
Borrower has agreed to grant to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, a
first, prior and perfected lien on and security interest (subject only to
Permitted Liens) in all of the Borrower's assets and properties, whether now or
hereafter existing, owned or acquired all pursuant to the terms of this Security
Agreement, in order to secure (i) the due and punctual payment and performance
of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement, (ii) the due and punctual payment
of (A) the principal and interest (including interest accruing during the
pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar
proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on
the Loan, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or
more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, (B) all other monetary obligations,
including but not limited to, fees, costs, expenses and indemnities, whether
primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary
obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other similar proceeding regardless of whether allowed or
allowable in such proceeding), of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and
the other Loan Documents (including any interest rate hedge agreement between
its Agent and the Borrower), and (iii) the due and punctual performance of all
covenants, agreements, obligations and liabilities of the Borrower under or
pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including any
interest rate hedge Agreement between the Agent and the Borrower), and (iii) the
due and punctual performance of all covenants, agreements, obligations and
liabilities of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the
other Loan Documents (including any interest rate hedge Agreement between the
Agent and the Borrower) (collectively, the "Obligations").

        C. It is a condition precedent to the making of Loans by the Lender that
the Borrower execute and deliver this Security Agreement.


                                       1.


<PAGE>   89
                                    AGREEMENT

        NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the covenants and provisions
set forth herein, and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE 1

                                SECURITY INTEREST

        SECTION 1.1 GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST. As security for the Obligations,
the Borrower hereby conveys, assigns, pledges and grants a continuing and
unconditional security interest to the Agent for the ratable benefit of the
Lenders, their successors and assigns, in and to:

               (a) all equipment (including all "Equipment" as such term is
defined in Section 9-109(2) of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from
time to time in the State of Illinois (such code, together with any other
successor or applicable adoption of the Uniform Commercial Code in any
applicable jurisdiction, the "Code")), machinery, vehicles, fixtures,
improvements, supplies, office furniture, fixed assets, all as now owned or
hereafter acquired by the Borrower or in which the Borrower has or hereafter
acquires any interest, and any items substituted therefor as replacements and
any additions or accessions thereto;

               (b) all goods (including all "Goods" as defined in Section 9-105
of the Code) and all inventory (including all "Inventory" as defined in Section
9-109(4) of the Code) of the Borrower, now owned or hereafter acquired by the
Borrower or in which the Borrower has or hereafter acquires any interest,
including but not limited to, raw materials, scrap inventory, work in process,
products, packaging materials, finished goods, all documents of title, chattel
paper and other instruments covering the same and all substitutions therefor and
additions thereto (all of the property described in this clause (b) being
hereafter collectively referred to as "Inventory");

               (c) all present and future accounts in which the Borrower has or
hereafter acquires any interest (including all "Accounts" as defined in Section
9-106 of the Code), contract rights (including all rights to receive payments
and other rights under all equipment and other leasing contracts) and rights to
payment and rights or accounts receivable evidencing or representing
Indebtedness due or to become due the Borrower on account of goods sold or
leased or services rendered, claims, instruments and other general intangibles
(including tax refunds, royalties and all other rights to the payment of money
of every nature and description), including but not limited to, any such right
evidenced by chattel paper, and all liens, securities, guaranties, remedies,
security interests and privileges pertaining thereto (all of the property
described in this clause (c) being hereinafter collectively referred to as
"Accounts");

               (d) all general intangibles now owned or hereafter acquired by
the Borrower or in which the Borrower has or hereafter acquires any interest,
(including all "General Intangibles" as defined in Section 9-106 of the Code)
including but not limited to, chooses in action and causes of action and all
licenses and permits (to the extent the collateral assignment of such licenses
and permits is not prohibited by applicable law), registrations, franchises,
corporate 


                                       2.


<PAGE>   90
or other business records, systems, designs, software, goodwill, logos, indicia,
business identifiers, inventions, processes, production methods, proprietary
information, know-how and trade-secrets of the Borrower, and all trade-names,
logos, copyrights, patents, trademarks (including service marks) or patent or
trademark applications (including all copyrights, patents, trademarks and
applications listed on Schedule 1 hereto) (collectively, "Intellectual Property
Rights"), contract rights and any goodwill relating thereto;

               (e) all other property owned by the Borrower or in which the
Borrower has or hereafter acquires any interest, wherever located, and of
whatever kind or nature, tangible or intangible;

               (f) all insurance policies of any kind maintained in effect by
the Borrower, now existing or hereafter acquired, under which any of the
property referred to in (a) through (e) above is insured, including but not
limited to, any proceeds payable to the Borrower pursuant to such policies;

               (g) all moneys, cash collateral, chattel paper, checks, notes,
bills of exchange, documents of title, money orders, negotiable instruments,
commercial paper, and other securities, instruments, documents, deposit
accounts, and any and all other lockbox and deposit accounts maintained with the
Agent or any Lender or any affiliate of the Agent or any Lender, deposits and
credits from time to time whether or not in the possession of or under the
control of the Agent or any Lender;

               (h) any consideration received when all or any part of the
property referred to in (a) through (g) above is sold, transferred, exchanged,
leased, collected or otherwise disposed of, or any value received as a
consequence of possession thereof, including but not limited to, all products,
proceeds (including all "Proceeds" as defined in Section 9-306(1) the Code),
cash, negotiable instruments and other instruments for the payment of money,
chattel paper, security agreements or other documents, insurance proceeds or
proceeds of other proceeds now or hereafter owned by the Borrower or in which
the Borrower has an interest.

The property set forth in clauses (a) through (h) of the preceding sentence,
together with property of a similar nature which the Borrower hereafter owns or
in which the Borrower hereafter acquires any interest, is referred to herein as
the "Collateral."

                                   ARTICLE 2

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

        SECTION 2.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Borrower represents,
warrants and agrees that:

               (a) The Borrower has and shall have absolute, good and exclusive
title to all the Collateral, wherever and whenever acquired, free and clear of
any Lien except as permitted by the Credit Agreement and the Borrower has not
filed a financing statement under the Code (or similar statement or instrument
of registration under the law of any jurisdiction) covering any Collateral
except as permitted by the Credit Agreement;


                                       3.


<PAGE>   91
               (b) The Borrower has paid or will pay when due all taxes, fees,
assessments and other charges now or hereafter imposed upon the Collateral
except for any tax, fee, assessment or other charge the validity of which is
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to
which the Borrower has set aside on its books adequate reserves and which may
not result in any material impairment of the Lien on such Collateral;

               (c) as a result of the execution and delivery (or the taking of
possession of cash or instruments) of this Security Agreement and the filing of
any financing statements or other documents necessary to assure, preserve and
perfect the security interest created hereby, the Agent, for the ratable benefit
of the Lenders, shall have a valid, perfected, enforceable first-priority lien
on, and a continuing security interest in, the Collateral, enforceable and
superior as such as against creditors and purchasers (other than purchasers of
Inventory in the ordinary course of business) and as against any owner of real
property where any of the equipment or Inventory is located and as against any
purchaser of such real property and any present or future creditor obtaining a
mortgage or other lien on such real property, and such lien shall be superior
and prior to all other Liens except as permitted by the Credit Agreement;

               (d) the amount that has been or that shall be represented by the
Borrower to the Lenders from time to time owing by all obligors (such obligors
being hereinafter referred to as the "Account Debtors") in the aggregate with
respect to Accounts has not and will not materially deviate from the correct
amount actually and unconditionally owing at such time by such Account Debtors;
all Accounts represent bona fide transactions completed in accordance with the
terms and provisions contained in the invoices and other documents evidencing
the same; there are no material setoffs, counterclaims or disputes existing or
asserted with respect to Accounts and the Borrower has not made any agreement
with any Account Debtor for any deduction therefrom; to the Borrower's
knowledge, all Account Debtors have the capacity to contract and are solvent;
the goods giving rise to Accounts are not subject to any lien, claim or
encumbrance, except in favor of the Agent and except for as permitted by the
Credit Agreement; and the Borrower has no knowledge of any fact or circumstances
which would impair the validity or collectibility of Accounts;

               (e) The Borrower has not changed its name (except as set forth on
Schedule 1A hereto) since the date of its formation and incorporation and during
such period the Borrower did not use, nor does the Borrower now use any
fictitious or trade name, except for the names set forth on Schedule 1A hereto;

               (f) the location of the chief executive office of the Borrower
and all locations where the Borrower maintains records with respect to its
contract rights and Accounts are set forth on Schedule 1B hereto;

               (g) all locations where the Borrower stores or processes raw
material, work in process, finished goods and inventory are set forth on
Schedule 1C hereto;

               (h) all locations where the Borrower keeps machinery and
equipment are set forth on Schedule 1C hereto;


                                       4.


<PAGE>   92
               (i) all Intellectual Property Rights material to the Borrower's
business are set forth on Schedule 1D hereto; and

               (j) none of the Collateral is held by a third party in any
location as assignee, trustee, bailee, consignee or in any similar capacity.

        SECTION 2.2 SURVIVAL. All representations, warranties and agreements of
the Borrower contained in this Security Agreement shall survive the execution,
delivery and performance of this Security Agreement until the termination of
this Security Agreement pursuant to Section 5.5 hereof.

                                   ARTICLE 3

                                    COVENANTS

        SECTION 3.1 COVENANTS. The Borrower hereby covenants and agrees with the
Agent that so long as this Security Agreement shall remain in effect or any
Obligations shall remain unpaid or unperformed: (a) it shall give written notice
to the Agent of any levy or attachment, execution or other process against any
of the Collateral, which notice shall be given promptly unless expressly
provided otherwise in the Credit Agreement; (b) at its own cost and expense, it
shall take any and all actions reasonably necessary or desirable to defend the
Collateral against the claims and demands of all Persons other than the Agent
and the Lenders to defend the security interest of the Agent in the Collateral
and the priority thereof against any adverse Lien of any nature not permitted by
the Credit Agreement; (c) it shall keep all tangible Collateral properly insured
and in good order and repair and immediately notify the Agent of any event
causing any material loss, damage or depreciation in value of the Collateral and
of the extent of such loss, damage or depreciation; (d) at the request of the
Agent, it shall mark any Collateral which is chattel paper with a legend showing
the Agent's lien and security interest therein; (e) it shall promptly give
written notice to the Agent of any change in the Intellectual Property Rights
material to its business set forth on Schedule 1D hereto; and (f) it shall not:
amend or terminate any contract or other document or instrument constituting
part of the Collateral, except for transactions in the ordinary course of
business substantially consistent with past practice; voluntarily or
involuntarily exchange, lease, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
Collateral, except as permitted by the Credit Agreement; make any compromise,
settlement, discharge or adjustment or grant any extension of time for payment
with respect to any Account or any Lien, Guaranty or remedy pertaining thereto,
except for transactions in the ordinary course of business substantially
consistent with past practice; change its name or use any fictitious or trade
name; change the location of its chief executive office; or permit any of the
Collateral (other than Collateral which constitutes goods which are mobile and
which are of a type normally used in more than one jurisdiction) to be removed
from or located in any place not identified as the location of such Collateral
on Schedule 1C, as the case may be, except after written notice to and with
written consent of the Lender and compliance with such procedures as the Agent
may reasonably impose to prevent any interruptions or discontinuity in the
security interest granted pursuant to this Security Agreement.


                                       5.


<PAGE>   93
                                   ARTICLE 4

                                REMEDIAL MATTERS

        SECTION 4.1 POWERS OF ATTORNEY. (a) The Borrower hereby irrevocably
appoints the Agent (and any officer or agent of the Agent) as its true and
lawful attorney-in-fact, with power of substitution for and in the name of the
Agent or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the Agent and the Lenders: (i) to
receive, endorse the name of the Borrower upon and deliver any notes,
acceptances, checks, drafts, money orders or other evidences of payment that may
come into the possession of the Lender with respect to the Collateral; (ii) from
and after the occurrence of an Event of Default, to cause the Borrower's mail to
be transferred to the Agent's own offices and to receive and open all mail
addressed to the Borrower for the purposes of removing any such notes,
acceptances, checks, drafts, money orders or other evidences of payment; (iii)
from and after the occurrence of an Event of Default, to demand, collect and
receive payment in respect of the Collateral and to apply any such payments
directly to the payment of the Obligations in accordance with Section 4.5
hereof; (iv) to receive and give discharges and releases of all or any of the
Collateral; (v) to commence and prosecute any and all suits, actions or
proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction, to
collect or otherwise realize on all or any part of the Collateral or to enforce
any rights in respect thereof; (vi) to sign the name of the Borrower on any
invoice or bill of lading relating to any of the Collateral; (vii) to send
verification of any Accounts to any Account Debtor or customer; (viii) from and
after the occurrence of an Event of Default, to notify any Account Debtor or
other obligor of the Borrower with respect to any Collateral to make payment to
the Agent; (ix) to settle, compromise, compound, adjust or defend any actions,
suits or proceedings relating or pertaining to all or any of the Collateral; (x)
to take any action for purposes of carrying out of the terms of this Security
Agreement; (xi) to enforce all of the Borrower's rights and powers under and
pursuant to any and all agreements with respect to the Collateral; and (xii)
generally to sell, assign, transfer, pledge, make any agreement with respect to
or otherwise deal with all or any of the Collateral, and to do all other acts
and things necessary to carry out this Security Agreement, as fully and
completely as though the Agent were the absolute owner of the Collateral for all
purposes; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed as
requiring or obligating the Agent to make any commitment or to make any inquiry
as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by the Agent, or to
present or file any claim or notice, or to take any action with respect to the
Collateral or any part thereof or the moneys due or to become due in respect
thereof or any property covered thereby, and no action taken by the Agent or any
Lender or omitted to be taken with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof
shall give rise to any defense, counterclaim or offset in favor of the Borrower
or to any claim or action against the Agent or any Lender, except to the extent
of the Agent's or such Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct. It is
understood and agreed that the power of attorney granted to the Agent for the
purposes set forth above in this Section 4.1 is coupled with an interest and is
irrevocable and the Borrower hereby ratifies all actions taken by its
attorney-in-fact by virtue hereof. The provisions of this Section 4.1 shall in
no event relieve the Borrower of any of its obligations hereunder or under any
of the other Loan Documents with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof
or impose any obligation on the Agent or any Lender to proceed in any particular
manner with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof, or in any way limit
the exercise by the Agent or any Lender of any other or further right which it
may have on the date of this Security 


                                       6.


<PAGE>   94
Agreement or hereafter, whether hereunder, under any of the other Loan
Documents, by law or otherwise.

               (b) Neither the Agent nor any Lender shall, under any
circumstance or in any event whatsoever, have any liability for any shortage,
damage, loss or destruction of any part of the Collateral, nor shall the Agent
or any Lender have any liability for any error or omission or delivery of any
kind incurred in the good faith settlement, collection or payment of any of the
Collateral or of any monies received in payment therefor or for any damages
resulting therefrom, nor shall this Security Agreement impose upon the Agent or
any Lender any obligation to perform any obligation with respect to the
Collateral. The costs of collection, notification and enforcement, including but
not limited to, attorneys' fees and out-of-pocket expenses, shall be borne
solely by the Borrower, whether the same are incurred by the Borrower, the Agent
or any Lender. The Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold the Agent and each
Lender harmless from and against any and all other claims, demands, losses,
judgments and liabilities (including but not limited to, liabilities for
penalties) of any nature, and to reimburse the Agent and each Lender for all
reasonable costs and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys' fees and
expenses, arising from this Security Agreement or the exercise of any right or
remedy granted to the Agent or any Lender hereunder other than those incurred as
a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Agent or any
Lender. In no event shall the Agent or any Lender be liable for any matter or
thing in connection with this Security Agreement other than to account for
moneys actually received by any of them in accordance with the terms hereof,
except to the extent incurred solely as a result of the Agent or any Lender's
gross negligence or willful misconduct.

        SECTION 4.2 COLLECTIONS. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance
of an Event of Default, the Agent may, in its sole discretion, in its name or in
the name of the Borrower, or otherwise, (a) demand, sue for, collect or receive
any money or property at any time payable or receivable on account of or in
exchange for, or make any compromise or settlement deemed desirable with respect
to, any of the Collateral, but shall be under no obligation to do so, or (b)
extend the time of payment, arrange for payment in installments, or otherwise
modify the term of, or release, any of the Collateral, without thereby incurring
responsibility to, or discharging or otherwise affecting any liability of, the
Borrower, other than to discharge the Borrower in so doing with respect to
liabilities of the Borrower to the extent that the liabilities are paid or
repaid. After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default,
any money, checks, notes, bills, drafts, or commercial paper received by the
Borrower shall be held in trust for the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the
Lenders, and shall be promptly turned over to the Agent. The Agent may make such
payments and take such actions described above as the Agent, in its sole
discretion, deems necessary to protect its security interest in the Collateral
or the value thereof, and, in connection therewith, the Agent is hereby
unconditionally and irrevocably authorized (without limiting the general nature
of the authority hereinabove conferred) to pay, purchase, contest or compromise
any Liens which in the judgment of the Agent appear to be equal to, prior to or
superior to its security interest in the Collateral and any Liens not expressly
permitted by this Security Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

        SECTION 4.3 POSSESSION; SALE OF COLLATERAL. (a) Upon the occurrence and
during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Agent may (i) require the
Borrower to assemble the tangible assets which comprise part of the Collateral
and make them available to the Agent at any place or places reasonably
designated by the Agent, (ii) with or without notice or demand for 


                                       7.


<PAGE>   95
performance and without liability for trespass, enter any premises where the
Collateral may be located and take possession of the same, and may demand and
receive such possession from any person who has possession thereof, and may take
such measures as it may deem necessary or proper for the care or protection
thereof, including but not limited to, the right to remove all or any portion of
the Collateral, and (iii) with or without taking such possession may sell or
cause to be sold, in one or more sales or parcels, for cash, on credit or for
future delivery, without assumption of any credit risk, all or any portion of
the Collateral, at public or private sale or at any broker's board or any
securities exchange, without demand of performance or notice of intention to
sell or of time or place of sale, except ten (10) days' written notice to the
Borrower of the time and place of such sale or sales (and such other notices as
may be required by applicable statute, if any, and which cannot be waived),
which the Borrower hereby expressly acknowledges is commercially reasonable. The
Collateral may be sold or disposed of for cash, upon credit or for future
delivery, without assumption of any credit risk, as the Agent shall deem
appropriate. Each such purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold
absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of the Borrower, and the
Borrower hereby waives (to the extent permitted by law) all rights of
redemption, stay and appraisal which the Borrower now has or may at any time in
the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter
enacted. At any such sale, the Collateral, or portion thereof, to be sold may be
sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Lender may (in its
sole and absolute discretion) determine. The Agent shall not be obligated to
make any sale of any Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless
of the fact that notice of sale of such Collateral shall have been given. The
Agent may, without notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or
cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and
place fixed for sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the
time and place to which the same was so adjourned. In case any sale of all or
any part of the Collateral is made on credit or for future delivery, the
Collateral so sold may be retained by the Agent until the sale price is paid by
the purchaser or purchasers thereof, but neither the Agent nor any Lender shall
incur any liability for the failure to collect or realize upon any or all of the
Collateral or for any delay in doing so and, in case of any such failure, shall
not be under any obligation to take any action with respect thereto; provided,
however, that such Collateral may be sold again upon like notice. At any public
sale made pursuant to this Section 4.3, the Agent may bid for or purchase, free
from any right of redemption, stay or appraisal and all rights of marshalling
the Collateral and any other security for the Obligations or otherwise on the
part of the Borrower (all said rights being also hereby waived and released by
the Borrower to the fullest extent permitted by law), the Collateral or any part
thereof offered for sale and may make payment on account thereof by using any
claim then due and payable to the Agent from the Borrower as a credit against
the purchase price, and the Agent may, upon compliance with the terms of sale,
hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability to the
Borrower therefor. For purposes hereof, a written agreement to purchase the
Collateral or any portion thereof shall be treated as a sale thereof; the Agent
shall be free to carry out such sale pursuant to such agreement, and the
Borrower shall not be entitled to the return of the Collateral or any portion
thereof subject thereto, notwithstanding the fact that after the Agent shall
have entered into such an agreement, all Events of Default shall have been
remedied and any obligations to the Agent shall have been paid in full. As an
alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, the Agent
may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose this Security
Agreement and to sell the Collateral or any portion thereof pursuant to a
judgment or decree of a court or courts having 


                                       8.


<PAGE>   96
competent jurisdiction or pursuant to a proceeding by a court-appointed
receiver. In any action permitted hereunder the Agent shall be entitled to the
appointment of a receiver without notice, to take possession of all or any
portion of the Collateral and to exercise such powers as the court shall confer
upon the receiver. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default shall
occur and be continuing, the Agent shall be entitled to apply, without notice to
the Borrower, any cash or cash items constituting Collateral in its possession
to payment of the Obligations.

               (b) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the
Agent shall, in addition to exercising any and all rights and remedies afforded
to it hereunder, have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under all
applicable provisions of law, including but not limited to, the Code.

               (c) The Borrower agrees that notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Security Agreement, the Borrower shall remain liable
under each contract or other agreement giving rise to Accounts and general
intangibles and all other contracts or agreements constituting part of the
Collateral and the Agent shall not have any obligation or liability in respect
thereof.

               (d) After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event
of Default, upon the Agent's request, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent
all original and other documents, evidencing and relating to the sale and
delivery of Inventory or Accounts, including but not limited to, all original
orders, invoices and shipping receipts. The Borrower shall also furnish to the
Agent, promptly upon the request of the Agent, such reports, reconciliations and
aging balances regarding Accounts as the Agent may request from time to time.

        SECTION 4.4 EVENT OF DEFAULT. An Event of Default shall exist hereunder
(a) if an "Event of Default" shall have occurred and be continuing under the
Credit Agreement or (b) if the Borrower shall breach any agreement contained
herein or otherwise default in the observance or performance of any of the
covenants, terms, conditions or agreements on the part of the Borrower contained
in this Security Agreement and (x) with respect to nonmonetary covenants, terms,
conditions or agreements, such non observance or non performance continues for a
period of thirty (30) days after the earlier of (i) written notice from the
Agent of such default or (ii) actual knowledge of the Borrower of such default
and (y) with respect to monetary covenants, terms, conditions or agreements,
such non observance or non performance continues for a period longer than the
applicable cure period, if any, set forth in the Credit Agreement. All cure
periods in this Section 4.4 shall run concurrently with any period allowed with
respect to any default under the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents.

        SECTION 4.5 APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. Unless the Agent otherwise directs
pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the proceeds of any sale of Collateral
pursuant to this Security Agreement or any other Loan Document, as well as any
Collateral consisting of cash, shall be applied after receipt by the Agent as
follows:

                First, to the payment of all reasonable costs, fees and expenses
        of the Agent and the Lenders and their agents, representatives and
        attorneys incurred in connection with such sale or with the retaking,
        holding, handling, preparing for sale (or other disposition) of the
        Collateral or otherwise in connection with this Credit Agreement, any
        other Loan 


                                       9.


<PAGE>   97
        Document or any of the Obligations, including but not limited to, the
        fees and expenses of the Agent's and any Lender's agents and attorneys
        and court costs (whether at trial, appellate or administrative levels),
        if any, incurred by the Agent or any Lender in so doing;

                Second, to the payment of the outstanding principal balance and
        accrued interest and fees on the Loan and other Obligations;

                Third, to pay the Agent an amount equal to the aggregate stated
        amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit, if any, to be held by the
        Agent as cash collateral to secure the Obligations of the Borrower under
        the Loan Documents with respect to Letters of Credit;

                Fourth, to pay all other amounts payable by the Borrower under
        the Loan Documents; and

                Fifth, to the Borrower or to such other Person as a court may
        direct.

        SECTION 4.6 AUTHORITY OF AGENT. The Agent shall have and be entitled to
exercise all such powers hereunder as are specifically delegated to the Lender
by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto. The Agent may execute any of its duties hereunder by or through its
agents or employees and shall be entitled to retain counsel and to act in
reliance upon the advice of such counsel concerning all matters pertaining to
its duties hereunder.

        SECTION 4.7 CERTAIN WAIVERS; THE BORROWER NOT DISCHARGED. The Borrower
expressly and irrevocably waives (to the extent permitted by applicable law)
presentment, demand of payment and protest of nonpayment in respect of its
Obligations under this Security Agreement. The obligations and duties of the
Borrower hereunder are irrevocable, absolute, and unconditional and shall not be
discharged, impaired or otherwise affected by (a) the failure of the Agent or
any Lender to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy
against the Borrower or any grantee under the provisions of this Security
Agreement or any other Loan Document or any waiver, consent, extension,
indulgence or other action or inaction in respect thereof, (b) any extension or
renewal of any part of the Obligations, (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or
modification of any of the terms or provisions of any Loan Document or of any
agreement related thereto, (d) the release of any liens on or security interests
in any part of the Collateral or the release, sale or exchange of or failure to
foreclose against any security held by or for the benefit of the Agent for
payment or performance of the Obligations, (e) the bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of the Borrower or any grantee or any other Person, (f) the
invalidity or unenforceability of any of the Loan Documents, (g) any change,
restructure or termination of the corporate structure or existence of the
Borrower or any grantee or any restructuring or refinancing of all or any
portion of the Obligations, or (h) any other event which under law would
discharge the obligations of a surety, except payment in full of the Obligations
and termination of the Commitment.

        SECTION 4.8 TRANSFER OF SECURITY INTEREST. The Agent may transfer to any
other Person all or any part of the liens and security interests granted hereby,
and all, or any part of the 


                                      10.


<PAGE>   98
Collateral which may be in the Agent's possession after the occurrence and
during the continuance of an Event of Default or, if to a successor Agent in
accordance with the Credit Agreement, at any time. Upon such transfer, the
transferee shall be vested with all the rights and powers of the Agent hereunder
with respect to such of the Collateral as is so transferred, but, with respect
to any of the Collateral not so transferred, the Agent shall retain all of its
rights and powers (whether given to it in this Security Agreement, or
otherwise). The Agent may, at any time, assign its rights as the secured party
hereunder to any Person, in the Agent's discretion, and upon notice to the
Borrower, but without any requirement for consent or approval by or from the
Borrower, and any such assignment shall be valid and binding upon the Borrower,
as fully as if it had expressly approved the same.

                                   ARTICLE 5

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

        SECTION 5.1 FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Borrower agrees, at its expense, to
do such further things, to execute, acknowledge, deliver and cause to be duly
filed all such further instruments and documents and take all such actions as
the Agent may from time to time reasonably request for the better assuring and
preserving of the security interests and the rights and remedies created hereby,
including but not limited to, the execution and delivery of such additional
conveyances, assignments, agreements and instruments, the payment of any fees
and taxes required in connection with the execution and delivery of this
Security Agreement, the granting of the security interests created hereby and
the execution, filing and recordation of any financing statements (including
fixture filings) or other documents as the Agent may deem reasonably necessary
or desirable for the perfection of the security interests granted hereunder. The
Borrower hereby authorizes the Agent, as a secured party under the Code, to file
financing statements or continuation statements signed only by the Agent, and
agrees to pay all expenses in connection with any such filing. If any amount
payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be or become
evidenced by any promissory note or other instrument, such note or instrument
shall be immediately pledged and delivered to the Agent, duly endorsed in a
manner satisfactory to the Agent. If at any time the Borrower shall take and
perfect a security interest in any property to secure payment and performance of
an Account, the Borrower, upon the request of the Agent, shall promptly assign
such security interest to the Agent. The Borrower agrees to notify the Agent
thirty (30) days prior to any change (a) in its corporate name, (b) in the
location of its chief executive office, (c) in its chief place of business, or
(d) in the office or offices where it keeps its records relating to the
Collateral. The Borrower agrees that, after the occurrence and during the
continuance of an Event of Default, it shall, upon request of the Agent, take
any and all actions, to the extent permitted by applicable law, at its own
expense, to obtain the approval of any governmental authority for any action or
transaction contemplated by this Security Agreement which is then required by
law, and specifically, without limitation, upon request of the Agent, to
prepare, sign and file with any governmental authority the Borrower's portion of
any application or applications for consent to the assignment of licenses held
by the Borrower, or for consent to the possession and sale of any of the
Collateral by or on behalf of the Agent. The Borrower further agrees that it
shall at all times, at its own expense and cost, keep accurate and complete
records with respect to the Collateral, including but not limited to, a record
of all payments and proceeds received in connection therewith or as a result of
the sale thereof and of all credits granted, and agrees that the Agent, the
Lenders, and their respective representatives, 


                                      11.


<PAGE>   99
shall have the right upon reasonable notice at reasonable times to call at the
Borrower's place or places of business to inspect the Collateral and to examine
or cause to be examined all of the books, records, journals and other data
relating to the Collateral and to make extracts therefrom or copies thereof as
are reasonably requested.

        SECTION 5.2 EFFECTIVENESS. This Security Agreement shall take effect
immediately upon execution by the Borrower and the Agent.

        SECTION 5.3 INDEMNITY; REIMBURSEMENT OF LENDER; DEFICIENCY. In
connection with the Collateral, this Security Agreement and the administration
and enforcement or exercise of any right or remedy granted to the Agent
hereunder or under the other Security Documents, the Borrower agrees (a) to
indemnify and hold harmless the Agent and each Lender from and against any and
all claims, demands, losses, judgments and liabilities (including but not
limited to, liabilities for penalties) of whatever nature, relating thereto or
resulting therefrom, and (b) to reimburse the Agent and each Lender for all
reasonable costs and expenses, including but not limited to, the fees and
disbursements of attorneys, relating thereto or resulting therefrom. The
foregoing indemnity agreement includes all reasonable costs incurred by the
Agent and each Lender in connection with any litigation relating to the
Collateral whether or not such Person shall be a party to such litigation,
including but not limited to, the fees and disbursements of attorneys for the
Agent and each Lender, and any out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Agent and
each Lender in appearing as a witness or in otherwise complying with legal
process served upon it. In no event shall the Agent or any Lender be liable, in
the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on its part, for any
matter or thing in connection with this Security Agreement other than to account
for moneys actually received by it in accordance with the terms hereof and the
Borrower hereby releases the Agent and each Lender from any and all claims,
causes of action and demands at anytime arising out of or with respect to this
Security Agreement, any other Loan Document or the Collateral. All indemnities
contained in this Section 5.3 and elsewhere in this Agreement shall survive the
expiration or earlier termination of this Security Agreement. After application
of the proceeds by the Agent pursuant to Section 4.5 hereof, the Borrower shall
remain liable to the Agent and the Lenders for any deficiency.

        SECTION 5.4 CONTINUING LIEN. It is the intent of the parties hereto,
that (a) this Security Agreement shall constitute a continuing agreement as to
any and all future, as well as existing transactions, between the Borrower and
the Agent under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, and (b) the security
interest provided for herein shall attach to after-acquired as well as existing
Collateral and the Obligations covered by this Security Agreement shall include
any future advances under or in connection with the Credit Agreement.

        SECTION 5.5 TERMINATION. Upon payment in full of all Obligations (except
indemnities which survive repayment of the Loan) and termination of all
commitments relating thereto, the Agent shall reassign and redeliver (or cause
to be so reassigned and redelivered), without recourse upon or warranty by the
Agent, and at the sole expense of the Borrower, to the Borrower, against receipt
therefor, such of the Collateral (if any) as shall not have been sold or
otherwise applied by the Agent pursuant to the terms hereof and not theretofore
reassigned and redelivered to the Borrower, together with appropriate
instruments of reassignment and release.


                                      12.


<PAGE>   100
        SECTION 5.6 NOTICES. Any notice hereunder shall be conclusively deemed
to have been received by a party hereto and be effective in the manner set forth
in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement.

        SECTION 5.7 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Whenever in this Security Agreement
any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to
include the successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises
and agreements by or on behalf of the Agent that are contained in this Security
Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of its respective successors and
assigns. The Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights or
obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Agent.

        SECTION 5.8 APPLICABLE LAW. THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, WITHOUT
GIVING EFFECT TO ILLINOIS CHOICE OF LAW DOCTRINE.


        SECTION 5.9 WAIVERS. No failure or delay of the Agent in exercising any
power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single
or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or
discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights
and remedies of the Agent hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any
rights or remedies which it would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of
this Security Agreement or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom
shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be authorized as provided
in Section 5.10, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the
specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on
the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further
notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

        SECTION 5.10 AMENDMENTS. Neither this Security Agreement nor any
provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an
agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Agent.

        SECTION 5.11 SEVERABILITY. In the event any one or more of the
provisions contained in this Security Agreement should be held invalid, illegal
or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.

        SECTION 5.12 COUNTERPARTS. This Security Agreement may be executed in
two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of
which when taken together shall constitute but one contract, and shall become
effective when copies hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of
each of the parties hereto shall be delivered or mailed to the Agent.

        SECTION 5.13 HEADINGS. Article and Section headings used herein are for
convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of, or to
be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Security Agreement.


                                      13.


<PAGE>   101
        SECTION 5.14 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
AGREES THAT ANY SUIT, ACTION, PROCEEDING OR CLAIM AGAINST IT ARISING OUT OF OR
IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT, OR ANY JUDGMENT ENTERED BY ANY
COURT IN RESPECT THEREOF, MAY BE BROUGHT OR ENFORCED IN THE STATE OR FEDERAL
COURTS LOCATED IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS OR COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS AND THE BORROWER
HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY
PROTECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY PROCEEDING
BROUGHT ACCORDINGLY, AND FURTHER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY CLAIMS THAT ANY SUCH
PROCEEDING HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

        SECTION 5.15 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE BORROWER, THE AGENT AND EACH
LENDER HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHT, POWER, OR REMEDY UNDER OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY
AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT, OR AGREEMENT DELIVERED OR WHICH MAY IN THE
FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING FROM ANY BANKING
RELATIONSHIP EXISTING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT, AND AGREE THAT
ANY SUCH ACTION SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY. THE TERMS
AND PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION CONSTITUTE A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE PARTIES
ENTERING INTO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT.


                                      14.


<PAGE>   102
        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Agent and the Borrower have executed this
Security Agreement as of the date first above written.

                               ARTECON CALIFORNIA


                               By:/s/ James L. Lambert
                                  -------------------------------
                               Its: President
                                   ------------------------------

                               LASALLE NATIONAL BANK


                               By:/s/ Michael J. Burton
                                  -------------------------------
                               Its: First V.P.
                                   ------------------------------


                                      15.


<PAGE>   103
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT


        THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT is entered into as of May 15, 1998 (as from time
to time amended, modified, restated, supplemented and in effect, this "Security
Agreement"), by and between ARTECON, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Guarantor"),
and LASALLE NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association, its successors and
assigns as agent (the "Agent") for certain Lenders pursuant to the Credit
Agreement (as hereafter defined).

                                    RECITALS

        A. Pursuant to and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit
Agreement between Artecon California, a California corporation (the "Borrower"),
the Agent and the Lenders party thereto dated the date hereof (as from time to
time amended, modified, restated, supplemented and in effect, the "Credit
Agreement"), the Agent and the Lenders have agreed to make certain secured
credit facilities available to the Borrower. All capitalized terms used in this
Security Agreement without definition shall have the meanings ascribed to them
in the Credit Agreement.

        B. The Borrower is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Guarantor and as a
condition to the Credit Agreement the Guarantor has executed and delivered in
favor of the Agent and the Lenders a Guaranty of Payment dated the date hereof
(as from time to time amended, modified, restated, supplemented and in effect,
the "Guaranty").

        C. In order to induce the Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit
Agreement and to make the Loans thereunder, and in consideration therefor, the
Guarantor has agreed to grant to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, a
first, prior and perfected lien on and security interest (subject only to
Permitted Liens) in all of the Guarantor's assets and properties, whether now or
hereafter existing, owned or acquired all pursuant to the terms of this Security
Agreement, in order to secure (i) the due and punctual payment and performance
of all Liabilities (as defined in the Guaranty) under the Guaranty, (ii) the due
and punctual payment of (A) the principal and interest (including interest
accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or
other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such
proceeding) on the Loan, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration,
upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, (B) all other monetary
obligations, including but not limited to, fees, costs, expenses and
indemnities, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise
(including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy,
insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding regardless of whether
allowed or allowable in such proceeding), of the Borrower under the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including any interest rate hedge
agreement between its Agent and the Borrower), and (iii) the due and punctual
performance of all covenants, agreements, obligations and liabilities of the
Borrower under or pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents
(including any interest rate hedge Agreement between the Agent and the
Borrower), and (iii) the due and punctual performance of all covenants,
agreements, obligations and liabilities of the Borrower under or pursuant to the
Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including any interest rate hedge
Agreement between the Agent and the Borrower) (collectively, the "Obligations").


                                       1.


<PAGE>   104
        D. It is a condition precedent to the making of Loans by the Lender that
the Guarantor execute and deliver this Security Agreement.

                                    AGREEMENT

        NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the covenants and provisions
set forth herein, and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE 1

                                SECURITY INTEREST

        SECTION 1.1 GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST. As security for the Obligations,
the Guarantor hereby conveys, assigns, pledges and grants a continuing and
unconditional security interest to the Agent for the ratable benefit of the
Lenders, their successors and assigns, in and to:

               (a) all equipment (including all "Equipment" as such term is
defined in Section 9-109(2) of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from
time to time in the State of Illinois (such code, together with any other
successor or applicable adoption of the Uniform Commercial Code in any
applicable jurisdiction, the "Code")), machinery, vehicles, fixtures,
improvements, supplies, office furniture, fixed assets, all as now owned or
hereafter acquired by the Guarantor or in which the Guarantor has or hereafter
acquires any interest, and any items substituted therefor as replacements and
any additions or accessions thereto;

               (b) all goods (including all "Goods" as defined in Section 9-105
of the Code) and all inventory (including all "Inventory" as defined in Section
9-109(4) of the Code) of the Guarantor, now owned or hereafter acquired by the
Guarantor or in which the Guarantor has or hereafter acquires any interest,
including but not limited to, raw materials, scrap inventory, work in process,
products, packaging materials, finished goods, all documents of title, chattel
paper and other instruments covering the same and all substitutions therefor and
additions thereto (all of the property described in this clause (b) being
hereafter collectively referred to as "Inventory");

               (c) all present and future accounts in which the Guarantor has or
hereafter acquires any interest (including all "Accounts" as defined in Section
9-106 of the Code), contract rights (including all rights to receive payments
and other rights under all equipment and other leasing contracts) and rights to
payment and rights or accounts receivable evidencing or representing
Indebtedness due or to become due the Guarantor on account of goods sold or
leased or services rendered, claims, instruments and other general intangibles
(including tax refunds, royalties and all other rights to the payment of money
of every nature and description), including but not limited to, any such right
evidenced by chattel paper, and all liens, securities, guaranties, remedies,
security interests and privileges pertaining thereto (all of the property
described in this clause (c) being hereinafter collectively referred to as
"Accounts");


                                       2.


<PAGE>   105
               (d) all general intangibles now owned or hereafter acquired by
the Guarantor or in which the Guarantor has or hereafter acquires any interest,
(including all "General Intangibles" as defined in Section 9-106 of the Code)
including but not limited to, chooses in action and causes of action and all
licenses and permits (to the extent the collateral assignment of such licenses
and permits is not prohibited by applicable law), registrations, franchises,
corporate or other business records, systems, designs, software, goodwill,
logos, indicia, business identifiers, inventions, processes, production methods,
proprietary information, know-how and trade-secrets of the Guarantor, and all
trade-names, logos, copyrights, patents, trademarks (including service marks) or
patent or trademark applications (including all copyrights, patents, trademarks
and applications listed on Schedule 1 hereto) (collectively, "Intellectual
Property Rights"), contract rights and any goodwill relating thereto;

               (e) all other property owned by the Guarantor or in which the
Guarantor has or hereafter acquires any interest, wherever located, and of
whatever kind or nature, tangible or intangible;

               (f) all insurance policies of any kind maintained in effect by
the Guarantor, now existing or hereafter acquired, under which any of the
property referred to in (a) through (e) above is insured, including but not
limited to, any proceeds payable to the Guarantor pursuant to such policies;

               (g) all moneys, cash collateral, chattel paper, checks, notes,
bills of exchange, documents of title, money orders, negotiable instruments,
commercial paper, and other securities, instruments, documents, deposit
accounts, and any and all other lockbox and deposit accounts maintained with the
Agent or any Lender or any affiliate of the Agent or any Lender, deposits and
credits from time to time whether or not in the possession of or under the
control of the Agent or any Lender;

               (h) any consideration received when all or any part of the
property referred to in (a) through (g) above is sold, transferred, exchanged,
leased, collected or otherwise disposed of, or any value received as a
consequence of possession thereof, including but not limited to, all products,
proceeds (including all "Proceeds" as defined in Section 9-306(1) the Code),
cash, negotiable instruments and other instruments for the payment of money,
chattel paper, security agreements or other documents, insurance proceeds or
proceeds of other proceeds now or hereafter owned by the Guarantor or in which
the Guarantor has an interest.

The property set forth in clauses (a) through (h) of the preceding sentence,
together with property of a similar nature which the Guarantor hereafter owns or
in which the Guarantor hereafter acquires any interest, is referred to herein as
the "Collateral."


                                       3.


<PAGE>   106
                                   ARTICLE 2

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

        SECTION 2.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Guarantor represents,
warrants and agrees that:

               (a) The Guarantor has and shall have absolute, good and exclusive
title to all the Collateral, wherever and whenever acquired, free and clear of
any Lien except as permitted by the Credit Agreement and the Guarantor has not
filed a financing statement under the Code (or similar statement or instrument
of registration under the law of any jurisdiction) covering any Collateral
except as permitted by the Credit Agreement;

               (b) The Guarantor has paid or will pay when due all taxes, fees,
assessments and other charges now or hereafter imposed upon the Collateral
except for any tax, fee, assessment or other charge the validity of which is
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to
which the Guarantor has set aside on its books adequate reserves and which may
not result in any material impairment of the Lien on such Collateral;

               (c) as a result of the execution and delivery (or the taking of
possession of cash or instruments) of this Security Agreement and the filing of
any financing statements or other documents necessary to assure, preserve and
perfect the security interest created hereby, the Agent, for the ratable benefit
of the Lenders, shall have a valid, perfected, enforceable first-priority lien
on, and a continuing security interest in, the Collateral, enforceable and
superior as such as against creditors and purchasers (other than purchasers of
Inventory in the ordinary course of business) and as against any owner of real
property where any of the equipment or Inventory is located and as against any
purchaser of such real property and any present or future creditor obtaining a
mortgage or other lien on such real property, and such lien shall be superior
and prior to all other Liens except as permitted by the Credit Agreement;

               (d) the amount that has been or that shall be represented by the
Guarantor to the Lenders from time to time owing by all obligors (such obligors
being hereinafter referred to as the "Account Debtors") in the aggregate with
respect to Accounts has not and will not materially deviate from the correct
amount actually and unconditionally owing at such time by such Account Debtors;
all Accounts represent bona fide transactions completed in accordance with the
terms and provisions contained in the invoices and other documents evidencing
the same; there are no material setoffs, counterclaims or disputes existing or
asserted with respect to Accounts and the Guarantor has not made any agreement
with any Account Debtor for any deduction therefrom; to the Guarantor's
knowledge, all Account Debtors have the capacity to contract and are solvent;
the goods giving rise to Accounts are not subject to any lien, claim or
encumbrance, except in favor of the Agent and except for as permitted by the
Credit Agreement; and the Guarantor has no knowledge of any fact or
circumstances which would impair the validity or collectibility of Accounts;

               (e) The Guarantor has not changed its name (except as set forth
on Schedule 1A hereto) since the date of its formation and incorporation and
during such period the Guarantor did 


                                       4.


<PAGE>   107
not use, nor does the Guarantor now use any fictitious or trade name, except for
the names set forth on Schedule 1A hereto;

               (f) the location of the chief executive office of the Guarantor
and all locations where the Guarantor maintains records with respect to its
contract rights and Accounts are set forth on Schedule 1B hereto;

               (g) all locations where the Guarantor stores or processes raw
material, work in process, finished goods and inventory are set forth on
Schedule 1C hereto;

               (h) all locations where the Guarantor keeps machinery and
equipment are set forth on Schedule 1C hereto;

               (i) all Intellectual Property Rights material to the Guarantor's
business are set forth on Schedule 1D hereto; and

               (j) none of the Collateral is held by a third party in any
location as assignee, trustee, bailee, consignee or in any similar capacity.

        SECTION 2.2 SURVIVAL. All representations, warranties and agreements of
the Guarantor contained in this Security Agreement shall survive the execution,
delivery and performance of this Security Agreement until the termination of
this Security Agreement pursuant to Section 5.5 hereof.

                                    ARTICLE 3

                                    COVENANTS

        SECTION 3.1 COVENANTS. The Guarantor hereby covenants and agrees with
the Agent that so long as this Security Agreement shall remain in effect or any
Obligations shall remain unpaid or unperformed: (a) it shall give written notice
to the Agent of any levy or attachment, execution or other process against any
of the Collateral, which notice shall be given promptly unless expressly
provided otherwise in the Credit Agreement; (b) at its own cost and expense, it
shall take any and all actions reasonably necessary or desirable to defend the
Collateral against the claims and demands of all Persons other than the Agent
and the Lenders to defend the security interest of the Agent in the Collateral
and the priority thereof against any adverse Lien of any nature not permitted by
the Credit Agreement; (c) it shall keep all tangible Collateral properly insured
and in good order and repair and immediately notify the Agent of any event
causing any material loss, damage or depreciation in value of the Collateral and
of the extent of such loss, damage or depreciation; (d) at the request of the
Agent, it shall mark any Collateral which is chattel paper with a legend showing
the Agent's lien and security interest therein; (e) it shall promptly give
written notice to the Agent of any change in the Intellectual Property Rights
material to its business set forth on Schedule 1D hereto; and (f) it shall not:
amend or terminate any contract or other document or instrument constituting
part of the Collateral, except for transactions in the ordinary course of
business substantially consistent with past practice; voluntarily or
involuntarily exchange, lease, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
Collateral, except as permitted by the Credit Agreement; make any 


                                       5.


<PAGE>   108
compromise, settlement, discharge or adjustment or grant any extension of time
for payment with respect to any Account or any Lien, Guaranty or remedy
pertaining thereto, except for transactions in the ordinary course of business
substantially consistent with past practice; change its name or use any
fictitious or trade name; change the location of its chief executive office; or
permit any of the Collateral (other than Collateral which constitutes goods
which are mobile and which are of a type normally used in more than one
jurisdiction) to be removed from or located in any place not identified as the
location of such Collateral on Schedule 1C, as the case may be, except after
written notice to and with written consent of the Lender and compliance with
such procedures as the Agent may reasonably impose to prevent any interruptions
or discontinuity in the security interest granted pursuant to this Security
Agreement. All issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Borrower
are now, and at all times prior to consummation of the Parent Merger will be,
owned beneficially and of record by the Guarantor, free and clear of all Liens
(other than Liens, if any, for the payment of taxes and other governmental
assessments which are imposed by law on the Guarantor's assets generally and are
incidental to the conduct of its business; provided, however, that such payment
is not delinquent or, if delinquent, is being contested in good faith by
appropriate legal or administrative proceedings and adequate reserves have been
set aside by the Guarantor on its books).

                                   ARTICLE 4

                                REMEDIAL MATTERS

        SECTION 4.1 POWERS OF ATTORNEY. The Guarantor hereby irrevocably
appoints the Agent (and any officer or agent of the Agent) as its true and
lawful attorney-in-fact, with power of substitution for and in the name of the
Agent or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the Agent and the Lenders: (i) to
receive, endorse the name of the Guarantor upon and deliver any notes,
acceptances, checks, drafts, money orders or other evidences of payment that may
come into the possession of the Lender with respect to the Collateral; (ii) from
and after the occurrence of an Event of Default, to cause the Guarantor's mail
to be transferred to the Agent's own offices and to receive and open all mail
addressed to the Guarantor for the purposes of removing any such notes,
acceptances, checks, drafts, money orders or other evidences of payment; (iii)
from and after the occurrence of an Event of Default, to demand, collect and
receive payment in respect of the Collateral and to apply any such payments
directly to the payment of the Obligations in accordance with Section 4.5
hereof; (iv) to receive and give discharges and releases of all or any of the
Collateral; (v) to commence and prosecute any and all suits, actions or
proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction, to
collect or otherwise realize on all or any part of the Collateral or to enforce
any rights in respect thereof; (vi) to sign the name of the Guarantor on any
invoice or bill of lading relating to any of the Collateral; (vii) to send
verification of any Accounts to any Account Debtor or customer; (viii) from and
after the occurrence of an Event of Default, to notify any Account Debtor or
other obligor of the Guarantor with respect to any Collateral to make payment to
the Agent; (ix) to settle, compromise, compound, adjust or defend any actions,
suits or proceedings relating or pertaining to all or any of the Collateral; (x)
to take any action for purposes of carrying out of the terms of this Security
Agreement; (xi) to enforce all of the Guarantor's rights and powers under and
pursuant to any and all agreements with respect to the Collateral; and (xii)
generally to sell, assign, transfer, pledge, make any agreement with respect to
or otherwise deal with 


                                       6.


<PAGE>   109
all or any of the Collateral, and to do all other acts and things necessary to
carry out this Security Agreement, as fully and completely as though the Agent
were the absolute owner of the Collateral for all purposes; provided, however,
that nothing herein contained shall be construed as requiring or obligating the
Agent to make any commitment or to make any inquiry as to the nature or
sufficiency of any payment received by the Agent, or to present or file any
claim or notice, or to take any action with respect to the Collateral or any
part thereof or the moneys due or to become due in respect thereof or any
property covered thereby, and no action taken by the Agent or any Lender or
omitted to be taken with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof shall
give rise to any defense, counterclaim or offset in favor of the Guarantor or to
any claim or action against the Agent or any Lender, except to the extent of the
Agent's or such Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct. It is
understood and agreed that the power of attorney granted to the Agent for the
purposes set forth above in this Section 4.1 is coupled with an interest and is
irrevocable and the Guarantor hereby ratifies all actions taken by its
attorney-in-fact by virtue hereof. The provisions of this Section 4.1 shall in
no event relieve the Guarantor of any of its obligations hereunder or under any
of the other Loan Documents with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof
or impose any obligation on the Agent or any Lender to proceed in any particular
manner with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof, or in any way limit
the exercise by the Agent or any Lender of any other or further right which it
may have on the date of this Security Agreement or hereafter, whether hereunder,
under any of the other Loan Documents, by law or otherwise.

               (b) Neither the Agent nor any Lender shall, under any
circumstance or in any event whatsoever, have any liability for any shortage,
damage, loss or destruction of any part of the Collateral, nor shall the Agent
or any Lender have any liability for any error or omission or delivery of any
kind incurred in the good faith settlement, collection or payment of any of the
Collateral or of any monies received in payment therefor or for any damages
resulting therefrom, nor shall this Security Agreement impose upon the Agent or
any Lender any obligation to perform any obligation with respect to the
Collateral. The costs of collection, notification and enforcement, including but
not limited to, attorneys' fees and out-of-pocket expenses, shall be borne
solely by the Guarantor, whether the same are incurred by the Guarantor, the
Agent or any Lender. The Guarantor agrees to indemnify and hold the Agent and
each Lender harmless from and against any and all other claims, demands, losses,
judgments and liabilities (including but not limited to, liabilities for
penalties) of any nature, and to reimburse the Agent and each Lender for all
reasonable costs and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys' fees and
expenses, arising from this Security Agreement or the exercise of any right or
remedy granted to the Agent or any Lender hereunder other than those incurred as
a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Agent or any
Lender. In no event shall the Agent or any Lender be liable for any matter or
thing in connection with this Security Agreement other than to account for
moneys actually received by any of them in accordance with the terms hereof,
except to the extent incurred solely as a result of the Agent or any Lender's
gross negligence or willful misconduct.

        SECTION 4.2 COLLECTIONS. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance
of an Event of Default, the Agent may, in its sole discretion, in its name or in
the name of the Guarantor, or otherwise, (a) demand, sue for, collect or receive
any money or property at any time payable or receivable on account of or in
exchange for, or make any compromise or settlement deemed desirable with respect
to, any of the Collateral, but shall be under no obligation to do so, or (b)


                                       7.


<PAGE>   110
extend the time of payment, arrange for payment in installments, or otherwise
modify the term of, or release, any of the Collateral, without thereby incurring
responsibility to, or discharging or otherwise affecting any liability of, the
Guarantor, other than to discharge the Guarantor in so doing with respect to
liabilities of the Guarantor to the extent that the liabilities are paid or
repaid. After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default,
any money, checks, notes, bills, drafts, or commercial paper received by the
Guarantor shall be held in trust for the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the
Lenders, and shall be promptly turned over to the Agent. The Agent may make such
payments and take such actions described above as the Agent, in its sole
discretion, deems necessary to protect its security interest in the Collateral
or the value thereof, and, in connection therewith, the Agent is hereby
unconditionally and irrevocably authorized (without limiting the general nature
of the authority hereinabove conferred) to pay, purchase, contest or compromise
any Liens which in the judgment of the Agent appear to be equal to, prior to or
superior to its security interest in the Collateral and any Liens not expressly
permitted by this Security Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

        SECTION 4.3 POSSESSION; SALE OF COLLATERAL. (a) Upon the occurrence and
during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Agent may (i) require the
Guarantor to assemble the tangible assets which comprise part of the Collateral
and make them available to the Agent at any place or places reasonably
designated by the Agent, (ii) with or without notice or demand for performance
and without liability for trespass, enter any premises where the Collateral may
be located and take possession of the same, and may demand and receive such
possession from any person who has possession thereof, and may take such
measures as it may deem necessary or proper for the care or protection thereof,
including but not limited to, the right to remove all or any portion of the
Collateral, and (iii) with or without taking such possession may sell or cause
to be sold, in one or more sales or parcels, for cash, on credit or for future
delivery, without assumption of any credit risk, all or any portion of the
Collateral, at public or private sale or at any broker's board or any securities
exchange, without demand of performance or notice of intention to sell or of
time or place of sale, except ten (10) days' written notice to the Guarantor of
the time and place of such sale or sales (and such other notices as may be
required by applicable statute, if any, and which cannot be waived), which the
Guarantor hereby expressly acknowledges is commercially reasonable. The
Collateral may be sold or disposed of for cash, upon credit or for future
delivery, without assumption of any credit risk, as the Agent shall deem
appropriate. Each such purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold
absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of the Guarantor, and the
Guarantor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by law) all rights of
redemption, stay and appraisal which the Guarantor now has or may at any time in
the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter
enacted. At any such sale, the Collateral, or portion thereof, to be sold may be
sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Lender may (in its
sole and absolute discretion) determine. The Agent shall not be obligated to
make any sale of any Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless
of the fact that notice of sale of such Collateral shall have been given. The
Agent may, without notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or
cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and
place fixed for sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the
time and place to which the same was so adjourned. In case any sale of all or
any part of the Collateral is made on credit or for future delivery, the
Collateral so sold may be retained by the Agent until the sale price is paid by
the purchaser or purchasers thereof, but neither the Agent nor any Lender shall
incur any liability for the 


                                       8.


<PAGE>   111
failure to collect or realize upon any or all of the Collateral or for any delay
in doing so and, in case of any such failure, shall not be under any obligation
to take any action with respect thereto; provided, however, that such Collateral
may be sold again upon like notice. At any public sale made pursuant to this
SECTION 4.3, the Agent may bid for or purchase, free from any right of
redemption, stay or appraisal and all rights of marshalling the Collateral and
any other security for the Obligations or otherwise on the part of the Guarantor
(all said rights being also hereby waived and released by the Guarantor to the
fullest extent permitted by law), the Collateral or any part thereof offered for
sale and may make payment on account thereof by using any claim then due and
payable to the Agent from the Guarantor as a credit against the purchase price,
and the Agent may, upon compliance with the terms of sale, hold, retain and
dispose of such property without further accountability to the Guarantor
therefor. For purposes hereof, a written agreement to purchase the Collateral or
any portion thereof shall be treated as a sale thereof; the Agent shall be free
to carry out such sale pursuant to such agreement, and the Guarantor shall not
be entitled to the return of the Collateral or any portion thereof subject
thereto, notwithstanding the fact that after the Agent shall have entered into
such an agreement, all Events of Default shall have been remedied and any
obligations to the Agent shall have been paid in full. As an alternative to
exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, the Agent may proceed by
a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose this Security Agreement and to
sell the Collateral or any portion thereof pursuant to a judgment or decree of a
court or courts having competent jurisdiction or pursuant to a proceeding by a
court-appointed receiver. In any action permitted hereunder the Agent shall be
entitled to the appointment of a receiver without notice, to take possession of
all or any portion of the Collateral and to exercise such powers as the court
shall confer upon the receiver. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of
Default shall occur and be continuing, the Agent shall be entitled to apply,
without notice to the Guarantor, any cash or cash items constituting Collateral
in its possession to payment of the Obligations.

               (b) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the
Agent shall, in addition to exercising any and all rights and remedies afforded
to it hereunder, have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under all
applicable provisions of law, including but not limited to, the Code.

               (c) The Guarantor agrees that notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Security Agreement, the Guarantor shall remain liable
under each contract or other agreement giving rise to Accounts and general
intangibles and all other contracts or agreements constituting part of the
Collateral and the Agent shall not have any obligation or liability in respect
thereof.

               (d) After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event
of Default, upon the Agent's request, the Guarantor shall deliver to the Agent
all original and other documents, evidencing and relating to the sale and
delivery of Inventory or Accounts, including but not limited to, all original
orders, invoices and shipping receipts. The Guarantor shall also furnish to the
Agent, promptly upon the request of the Agent, such reports, reconciliations and
aging balances regarding Accounts as the Agent may request from time to time.

        SECTION 4.4 EVENT OF DEFAULT. An Event of Default shall exist hereunder
(a) if an "Event of Default" shall have occurred and be continuing under the
Credit Agreement or (b) if the Guarantor 


                                       9.


<PAGE>   112
shall breach any agreement contained herein or otherwise default in the
observance or performance of any of the covenants, terms, conditions or
agreements on the part of the Guarantor contained in this Security Agreement and
(x) with respect to nonmonetary covenants, terms, conditions or agreements, such
non observance or non performance continues for a period of thirty (30) days
after the earlier of (i) written notice from the Agent of such default or (ii)
actual knowledge of the Guarantor of such default and (y) with respect to
monetary covenants, terms, conditions or agreements, such non observance or non
performance continues for a period longer than the applicable cure period, if
any, set forth in the Credit Agreement. All cure periods in this Section 4.4
shall run concurrently with any period allowed with respect to any default under
the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

        SECTION 4.5 APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. Unless the Agent otherwise directs
pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the proceeds of any sale of Collateral
pursuant to this Security Agreement or any other Loan Document, as well as any
Collateral consisting of cash, shall be applied after receipt by the Agent as
follows:

                FIRST, to the payment of all reasonable costs, fees and expenses
        of the Agent and the Lenders and their agents, representatives and
        attorneys incurred in connection with such sale or with the retaking,
        holding, handling, preparing for sale (or other disposition) of the
        Collateral or otherwise in connection with this Credit Agreement, any
        other Loan Document or any of the Obligations, including but not limited
        to, the fees and expenses of the Agent's and any Lender's agents and
        attorneys and court costs (whether at trial, appellate or administrative
        levels), if any, incurred by the Agent or any Lender in so doing;

                SECOND, to the payment of the outstanding principal balance and
        accrued interest and fees on the Loan and other Obligations;

                THIRD, to pay the Agent an amount equal to the aggregate stated
        amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit, if any, to be held by the
        Agent as cash collateral to secure the Obligations of the Guarantor
        under the Loan Documents with respect to Letters of Credit;

                FOURTH, to pay all other amounts payable by the Guarantor under
        the Loan Documents; and

                FIFTH, to the Guarantor or to such other Person as a court may
        direct.

        SECTION 4.6 AUTHORITY OF AGENT. The Agent shall have and be entitled to
exercise all such powers hereunder as are specifically delegated to the Lender
by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto. The Agent may execute any of its duties hereunder by or through its
agents or employees and shall be entitled to retain counsel and to act in
reliance upon the advice of such counsel concerning all matters pertaining to
its duties hereunder.

        SECTION 4.7 CERTAIN WAIVERS; THE GUARANTOR NOT DISCHARGED. The Guarantor
expressly and irrevocably waives (to the extent permitted by applicable law)
presentment, demand of payment and protest of nonpayment in respect of its
Obligations under this Security Agreement. The obligations and duties of the
Guarantor hereunder are irrevocable, absolute, and unconditional 


                                      10.


<PAGE>   113
and shall not be discharged, impaired or otherwise affected by (a) the failure
of the Agent or any Lender to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right
or remedy against the Guarantor or any grantee under the provisions of this
Security Agreement or any other Loan Document or any waiver, consent, extension,
indulgence or other action or inaction in respect thereof, (b) any extension or
renewal of any part of the Obligations, (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or
modification of any of the terms or provisions of any Loan Document or of any
agreement related thereto, (d) the release of any liens on or security interests
in any part of the Collateral or the release, sale or exchange of or failure to
foreclose against any security held by or for the benefit of the Agent for
payment or performance of the Obligations, (e) the bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of the Guarantor or any grantee or any other Person, (f) the
invalidity or unenforceability of any of the Loan Documents, (g) any change,
restructure or termination of the corporate structure or existence of the
Guarantor or any grantee or any restructuring or refinancing of all or any
portion of the Obligations, or (h) any other event which under law would
discharge the obligations of a surety, except payment in full of the Obligations
and termination of the Commitment.

        SECTION 4.8 TRANSFER OF SECURITY INTEREST. The Agent may transfer to any
other Person all or any part of the liens and security interests granted hereby,
and all, or any part of the Collateral which may be in the Agent's possession
after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default or, if to
a successor Agent in accordance with the Credit Agreement, at any time. Upon
such transfer, the transferee shall be vested with all the rights and powers of
the Agent hereunder with respect to such of the Collateral as is so transferred,
but, with respect to any of the Collateral not so transferred, the Agent shall
retain all of its rights and powers (whether given to it in this Security
Agreement, or otherwise). The Agent may, at any time, assign its rights as the
secured party hereunder to any Person, in the Agent's discretion, and upon
notice to the Guarantor, but without any requirement for consent or approval by
or from the Guarantor, and any such assignment shall be valid and binding upon
the Guarantor, as fully as if it had expressly approved the same.

                                   ARTICLE 5

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

        SECTION 5.1 FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Guarantor agrees, at its expense, to
do such further things, to execute, acknowledge, deliver and cause to be duly
filed all such further instruments and documents and take all such actions as
the Agent may from time to time reasonably request for the better assuring and
preserving of the security interests and the rights and remedies created hereby,
including but not limited to, the execution and delivery of such additional
conveyances, assignments, agreements and instruments, the payment of any fees
and taxes required in connection with the execution and delivery of this
Security Agreement, the granting of the security interests created hereby and
the execution, filing and recordation of any financing statements (including
fixture filings) or other documents as the Agent may deem reasonably necessary
or desirable for the perfection of the security interests granted hereunder. The
Guarantor hereby authorizes the Agent, as a secured party under the Code, to
file financing statements or continuation statements signed only by the Agent,
and agrees to pay all expenses in connection with any such filing. If any amount
payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be or become
evidenced by any promissory note or other instrument, such note or instrument
shall be immediately pledged and 


                                      11.


<PAGE>   114
delivered to the Agent, duly endorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Agent. If
at any time the Guarantor shall take and perfect a security interest in any
property to secure payment and performance of an Account, the Guarantor, upon
the request of the Agent, shall promptly assign such security interest to the
Agent. The Guarantor agrees to notify the Agent thirty (30) days prior to any
change (a) in its corporate name, (b) in the location of its chief executive
office, (c) in its chief place of business, or (d) in the office or offices
where it keeps its records relating to the Collateral. The Guarantor agrees
that, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, it
shall, upon request of the Agent, take any and all actions, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, at its own expense, to obtain the approval of any
governmental authority for any action or transaction contemplated by this
Security Agreement which is then required by law, and specifically, without
limitation, upon request of the Agent, to prepare, sign and file with any
governmental authority the Guarantor's portion of any application or
applications for consent to the assignment of licenses held by the Guarantor, or
for consent to the possession and sale of any of the Collateral by or on behalf
of the Agent. The Guarantor further agrees that it shall at all times, at its
own expense and cost, keep accurate and complete records with respect to the
Collateral, including but not limited to, a record of all payments and proceeds
received in connection therewith or as a result of the sale thereof and of all
credits granted, and agrees that the Agent, the Lenders, and their respective
representatives, shall have the right upon reasonable notice at reasonable times
to call at the Guarantor's place or places of business to inspect the Collateral
and to examine or cause to be examined all of the books, records, journals and
other data relating to the Collateral and to make extracts therefrom or copies
thereof as are reasonably requested.

        SECTION 5.2 EFFECTIVENESS. This Security Agreement shall take effect
immediately upon execution by the Guarantor and the Agent.

        SECTION 5.3 INDEMNITY; REIMBURSEMENT OF LENDER; DEFICIENCY. In
connection with the Collateral, this Security Agreement and the administration
and enforcement or exercise of any right or remedy granted to the Agent
hereunder or under the other Security Documents, the Guarantor agrees (a) to
indemnify and hold harmless the Agent and each Lender from and against any and
all claims, demands, losses, judgments and liabilities (including but not
limited to, liabilities for penalties) of whatever nature, relating thereto or
resulting therefrom, and (b) to reimburse the Agent and each Lender for all
reasonable costs and expenses, including but not limited to, the fees and
disbursements of attorneys, relating thereto or resulting therefrom. The
foregoing indemnity agreement includes all reasonable costs incurred by the
Agent and each Lender in connection with any litigation relating to the
Collateral whether or not such Person shall be a party to such litigation,
including but not limited to, the fees and disbursements of attorneys for the
Agent and each Lender, and any out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Agent and
each Lender in appearing as a witness or in otherwise complying with legal
process served upon it. In no event shall the Agent or any Lender be liable, in
the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on its part, for any
matter or thing in connection with this Security Agreement other than to account
for moneys actually received by it in accordance with the terms hereof and the
Guarantor hereby releases the Agent and each Lender from any and all claims,
causes of action and demands at anytime arising out of or with respect to this
Security Agreement, any other Loan Document or the Collateral. All indemnities
contained in this Section 5.3 and elsewhere in this Agreement shall survive the
expiration or earlier termination 


                                      12.


<PAGE>   115
of this Security Agreement. After application of the proceeds by the Agent
pursuant to Section 4.5 hereof, the Guarantor shall remain liable to the Agent
and the Lenders for any deficiency.

        SECTION 5.4 CONTINUING LIEN. It is the intent of the parties hereto,
that (a) this Security Agreement shall constitute a continuing agreement as to
any and all future, as well as existing transactions, between the Guarantor and
the Agent under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, and (b) the security
interest provided for herein shall attach to after-acquired as well as existing
Collateral and the Obligations covered by this Security Agreement shall include
any future advances under or in connection with the Credit Agreement.

        SECTION 5.5 TERMINATION. Upon payment in full of all Obligations (except
indemnities which survive repayment of the Loan) and termination of all
commitments relating thereto, the Agent shall reassign and redeliver (or cause
to be so reassigned and redelivered), without recourse upon or warranty by the
Agent, and at the sole expense of the Guarantor, to the Guarantor, against
receipt therefor, such of the Collateral (if any) as shall not have been sold or
otherwise applied by the Agent pursuant to the terms hereof and not theretofore
reassigned and redelivered to the Guarantor, together with appropriate
instruments of reassignment and release.

        SECTION 5.6 NOTICES. Any notice hereunder shall be conclusively deemed
to have been received by a party hereto and be effective in the manner set forth
in Section 22 of the Guaranty.

        SECTION 5.7 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Whenever in this Security Agreement
any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to
include the successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises
and agreements by or on behalf of the Agent that are contained in this Security
Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of its respective successors and
assigns. The Guarantor may not assign or transfer any of its rights or
obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Agent.

        SECTION 5.8 APPLICABLE LAW. THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, WITHOUT
GIVING EFFECT TO ILLINOIS CHOICE OF LAW DOCTRINE.

        SECTION 5.9 WAIVERS. No failure or delay of the Agent in exercising any
power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single
or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or
discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights
and remedies of the Agent hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any
rights or remedies which it would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of
this Security Agreement or consent to any departure by the Guarantor therefrom
shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be authorized as provided
in Section 5.10, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the
specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on
the Guarantor in any case shall entitle the Guarantor to any other or further
notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.


                                      13.


<PAGE>   116
        SECTION 5.10 AMENDMENTS. Neither this Security Agreement nor any
provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an
agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Guarantor and the Agent.

        SECTION 5.11 SEVERABILITY. In the event any one or more of the
provisions contained in this Security Agreement should be held invalid, illegal
or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.

        SECTION 5.12 COUNTERPARTS. This Security Agreement may be executed in
two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of
which when taken together shall constitute but one contract, and shall become
effective when copies hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of
each of the parties hereto shall be delivered or mailed to the Agent.

        SECTION 5.13 HEADINGS. Article and Section headings used herein are for
convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of, or to
be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Security Agreement.

        SECTION 5.14 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. THE GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
AGREES THAT ANY SUIT, ACTION, PROCEEDING OR CLAIM AGAINST IT ARISING OUT OF OR
IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT, OR ANY JUDGMENT ENTERED BY ANY
COURT IN RESPECT THEREOF, MAY BE BROUGHT OR ENFORCED IN THE STATE OR FEDERAL
COURTS LOCATED IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS OR COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS AND THE GUARANTOR
HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY
PROTECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY PROCEEDING
BROUGHT ACCORDINGLY, AND FURTHER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY CLAIMS THAT ANY SUCH
PROCEEDING HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

        SECTION 5.15 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE GUARANTOR, THE AGENT AND EACH
LENDER HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHT, POWER, OR REMEDY UNDER OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY
AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT, OR AGREEMENT DELIVERED OR WHICH MAY IN THE
FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING FROM ANY BANKING
RELATIONSHIP EXISTING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT, AND AGREE THAT
ANY SUCH ACTION SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY. THE TERMS
AND PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION CONSTITUTE A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE PARTIES
ENTERING INTO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT.

                            [signature page follows]


                                      14.


<PAGE>   117
        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Agent and the Guarantor have executed this
Security Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                  ARTECON, INC.


                                  By:/s/ James L. Lambert
                                     -------------------------------
                                  Its: President
                                      ------------------------------

                                  LASALLE NATIONAL BANK


                                  By:/s/ Michael J. Burton
                                     -------------------------------
                                  Its: First V.P.
                                      ------------------------------


                                      15.


<PAGE>   118
                               GUARANTY OF PAYMENT


        THIS GUARANTY OF PAYMENT (as from time to time amended, modified,
restated, supplemented and in effect, this "Guaranty") is made as of May 15,
1998 by ARTECON, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor"), for the benefit
of LASALLE NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association, its successors and
assigns, as agent (the "Agent"), and certain Lenders pursuant to the Credit
Agreement (as hereinafter defined).

                                    RECITALS

        A. Pursuant to a Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as from
time to time amended, modified, restated, supplemented and in effect, the
"Credit Agreement") the Agent and the Lenders have agreed to make available to
Artecon California, a California corporation (the "Borrower"), a secured loan
facility, subject to the terms and conditions and for the purposes set forth in
the Credit Agreement.

        B. The Guarantor owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of
the Borrower and the Guarantor will therefore receive direct and substantial
benefit and reasonably equivalent value from the Loan.

        C. It is a condition precedent to the making of the Loan by the Lenders
that the Guarantor execute and deliver this Guaranty. The Guarantor therefore
deems the execution, delivery and performance of this Guaranty necessary and
convenient to the conduct, promotion and attainment of the business of the
Guarantor in furtherance of the corporate purpose of the Guarantor.

                                    AGREEMENT

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises stated above and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the Guarantor agrees for the benefit of the Agent and the
Lenders as follows:

        1. DEFINITIONS. All capitalized terms used in this Guaranty without
definition shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

        2. TYPE OF GUARANTY AND OBLIGATIONS COVERED. The Guarantor, as primary
obligor, and not as surety only, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably
guarantees (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the principal
of, premium, if any, and interest on the Loan, when and as due, whether at
maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or
otherwise, and (ii) all other Obligations (including, but not limited to, the
reasonable fees and disbursements of the Agent's and the Lenders' attorneys and
other experts and any interest and fees with respect to any of the Obligations
accruing after the filing of a bankruptcy petition by the Borrower whether or
not allowed as claims in such a proceeding); (b) the due and prompt payment of
any costs and expenses incurred by the Agent and the Lenders in connection with
the enforcement (including but not limited to, with respect to any action, suit
or proceeding which may be instituted by the Agent and the Lenders to obtain
enforcement) of any of its rights or remedies under this Guaranty or any of the
other Loan Documents and (c) the due 


                                       1.


<PAGE>   119
and punctual payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under
the Loan Documents (CLAUSES (a) THROUGH (c) above collectively the
"LIABILITIES").

        3. TERM OF GUARANTY; NO DISCHARGE FOR INVALIDITY OF UNDERLYING
OBLIGATION; REINSTATEMENT; LIMITATIONS. (a) This Guaranty shall remain in full
force and effect, notwithstanding intervening events of any kind, until the
Liabilities are paid in full. No invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of
any or all of the Liabilities hereby guaranteed, or any other circumstances
which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of
the Guarantor, shall affect, impair, or be a defense to this Guaranty, which
shall in every respect be construed as a primary obligation of the Guarantor,
and the Guarantor waives any and all defenses which may be available to the
Borrower with respect to the Liabilities and agrees not to assert any such
defense hereunder.

               (b) If at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore
applied by the Agent or the Lenders to any of the Liabilities is or must be
rescinded or returned by the Agent or any Lender for any reason whatsoever,
including but not limited to, pursuant to a settlement agreement or compromise
effected by the Agent or any Lender with a claimant, such Liabilities shall, for
the purposes of this Guaranty, to the extent that such payment is or must be
rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence, notwithstanding
such application by the Agent or any Lender, and this Guaranty shall continue to
be effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may be, as to such Liabilities,
all as though such application by the Agent or any Lender had not been made.

               (c) In any action or proceeding involving any state corporate
law, or any foreign or United States of America state or federal bankruptcy,
fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization or other law affecting the
rights of creditors generally, if the obligations of the Guarantor under Section
2 hereof would otherwise be held or determined to be void, invalid or
unenforceable, on account of the amount of the Guarantor's liability under
Section 2, then, notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the contrary, the
amount of such liability shall, without any further action by the Guarantor, the
Lenders or any other Person, be automatically limited and reduced to the highest
amount that is valid and enforceable as determined in such action or proceeding.
The Guarantor agrees that the Liabilities may from time to time exceed the
amount of the liability of the Guarantor hereunder without impairing this
Guaranty or the rights and remedies of the Agent or the Lenders hereunder.

        4. WAIVERS BY THE GUARANTOR. (a)The Guarantor hereby expressly waives:
(i) notice of the acceptance by the Agent or any Lender of this Guaranty, (ii)
notice of the existence or creation or non-payment of all or any of the
Liabilities, (iii) presentment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, notice of
protest and all other notices whatsoever, either in respect of this Guaranty or
any or all of the Liabilities, (iv) all diligence in collection or protection
of, or realization upon, the Liabilities, any obligations hereunder, or any
security for or guaranty of any of the foregoing, and (v) any requirement on the
part of the Agent or any Lender to mitigate the damages resulting from the
default of the Borrower.

               (b) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED HEREIN OR
IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, THE GUARANTOR AGREES THAT THIS GUARANTY IS A
GUARANTY OF PAYMENT AND OF 


                                       2.


<PAGE>   120
PERFORMANCE AND NOT OF COLLECTION AND UNCONDITIONALLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY
REQUIREMENT THAT THE AGENT OR A LENDER FIRST COMMENCE ANY ACTION OR ASSERT ANY
RIGHT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER OBLIGOR, ENFORCE ANY RIGHT AGAINST ANY
OF THE SECURITY SECURING ANY OF THE LIABILITIES, OR JOIN BORROWER IN ANY ACTION
THE AGENT OR A LENDER MAY BRING AGAINST THE GUARANTOR UNDER THIS GUARANTY.

        5. LENDER INDULGENCES, FORBEARANCE AND CONSENTS RELATING TO THE
BORROWER. The Agent and the Lenders may, at any time and from time to time,
whether before or after any discontinuance of this Guaranty, without the consent
of or notice to the Guarantor, except such notice as may be required by
applicable statute and cannot be waived, without incurring responsibility to the
Guarantor and without impairing or releasing the obligations of the Guarantor
hereunder, upon any terms or conditions, take any or all of the following
actions (which may or could have the effect of changing the risk hereby
undertaken by the Guarantor), to each of which actions the Guarantor hereby
consents: (a) change the manner, place or terms of payment of any of the
Liabilities; (b) change, extend or renew for one or more periods (whether or not
longer than the original period), alter or exchange any of the Liabilities; (c)
release, settle, subordinate or compromise any obligation of the Borrower with
respect to any of the Liabilities; (d) grant any indulgence or forbearance to
the Borrower, or consent to any action or failure to act of the Borrower, which,
in the absence of the Lenders' consent, violates or may be deemed to violate any
agreements of the Borrower with respect to any or all of the Liabilities; (e)
retain or obtain a security interest in any property to secure any of the
Liabilities or any obligation hereunder; (f) sell, substitute, exchange,
release, surrender, realize upon, or otherwise deal with in any manner all or
any part of any property securing any of the Liabilities or any obligation
hereunder; (g) retain or obtain, or release, the primary or secondary
obligations of any obligor or obligors, in addition to the Guarantor, with
respect to any of the Liabilities; (h) exercise or refrain from exercising any
rights against the Borrower or others (including the Guarantor) or otherwise act
or refrain from acting; (i) apply any sums paid or realized to any Liabilities
regardless of what Liabilities remain unpaid; (j) act or fail to act in any
manner referred to in this Guaranty which may deprive the Guarantor of its right
to subrogation against the Borrower to recover full indemnity for any payments
made pursuant to this Guaranty; and (k) resort to the Guarantor for payment of
any of the Liabilities, whether or not the Agent or the Lenders shall have
resorted to any property securing any of the Liabilities or any obligation
hereunder or shall have proceeded against the Borrower or any other obligor
primarily or secondarily obligated with respect to any of the Liabilities.

        6. LENDER LIEN. The Guarantor hereby grants to the Agent, for the
ratable benefit of the Lenders, a lien and security interest as security for any
and all liabilities created by this Guaranty in any and all property received
from any source now or hereafter in the possession (all remittances and property
to be deemed in the possession of the Agent as soon as the same are put in
transit to it) or custody of the Agent for any purpose (including safekeeping or
pledge of any liability of the Guarantor), including the balance of any account
(whether general or special or for any specific purpose), of or for account of
the Guarantor, or in or as to which the Guarantor may have any interest or
power, including power of hypothecation or disposition, and all claims of any
description of the Guarantor against the Agent or any Lender. If any event shall
occur causing the acceleration of the Liabilities pursuant to Section 7.02 of
the Credit Agreement, or if 


                                       3.


<PAGE>   121
any liability of the Guarantor under this Guaranty shall become due and owing
for any reason, the Agent may at its option, without demand, notice or
advertisement, which are hereby expressly waived, appropriate and apply any or
all present and future credit balances of the Guarantor, in whatever currencies
may be held by the Lenders and whether held in general or special accounts or
for any specific purpose, or any other present or future claim of the Guarantor
against the Agent or the Lenders toward the payment and extinguishment of the
liabilities created by this Guaranty.

        7. SET-OFF. The Guarantor agrees that the Guarantor shall make no claim
or setoff, defense, recoupment or counterclaim of any sort whatsoever, nor shall
the Guarantor seek to impair, limit or defeat in any way his obligations
hereunder. The Guarantor hereby waives any right to such a claim in limitation
of its obligations hereunder. All payments made by the Guarantor under this
Guaranty shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding
for or on account of, any future income, stamp or other taxes, levies, imposts,
deductions, charges or withholdings, including, but not limited to, any taxes,
levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges, assessments or withholdings
imposed by any foreign, federal, state or local jurisdiction or any political
subdivision thereof or therein, but excluding taxes imposed on net income of a
Lender by the jurisdiction in which such Lender has its principal office (all
such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings
being hereinafter called "Taxes"). If any Taxes are required to be withheld from
any amounts so payable to the Lenders hereunder or under this Guaranty, the
amounts so payable to the Lenders shall be increased to the extent necessary to
yield to the Lenders (after payment of all Taxes) interest or any such other
amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this
Guaranty or the Credit Agreement. Whenever any Tax is paid by the Guarantor, as
promptly as possible thereafter, the Guarantor shall send to the Agent a
certified copy of any original official receipt received by the Guarantor
showing payment thereof. If the Guarantor fails to pay any Taxes when due to the
appropriate taxing authority, the Guarantor shall indemnify the Lenders for any
incremental taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable by the Lenders
as a result of any such failure.

        8. REPRESENTATIONS. The Guarantor makes the following representations
and warranties which shall survive the execution and delivery of this Guaranty.

               (a) The Guarantor is a corporation, duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware.

               (b) The Guarantor is qualified to do business as a foreign
corporation in each jurisdiction where the ownership or leasing of its property
or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the
failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on its
business, properties, assets, operations, prospects or condition, financial or
otherwise or its ability to perform any of its obligations under any of the Loan
Documents to which it is a party.

               (c) The Guarantor has full corporate power and authority to own
its property and assets and to execute, deliver and perform this Guaranty and
the other Loan Documents to which it is a party.


                                       4.


<PAGE>   122
               (d) This Guaranty and each of the other Loan Documents to which
the Guarantor is a party has been duly authorized and constitutes the legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor enforceable against the Guarantor
in accordance with its terms, subject only to limitations on enforceability as
may be applicable under equitable principles, bankruptcy or insolvency laws.

               (e) Neither the execution, delivery or performance by the
Guarantor of this Guaranty, nor compliance by it with the terms and provisions
hereof, (i) will contravene any provision of any law, statute, rule or
regulation or any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or governmental
instrumentality, or (ii) will conflict or be inconsistent with or result in any
breach of any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or
constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or the
obligation to create or impose) any lien upon any of the property or assets of
the Guarantor (other than in favor of the Lenders) pursuant to the terms of any
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, credit agreement, loan agreement or any
other agreement, contract or instrument to which the Guarantor is a party or by
which it or any of its property or assets is bound or to which it may be
subject.

               (f) No order, consent, approval, license, authorization or
validation of, or filing, recording or registration with (except as have been
obtained or made prior to the date of this Guaranty), or exemption by, any
governmental or public body or authority, or any subdivision thereof, is
required to authorize, or is required in connection with, (i) the execution,
delivery and performance of its Guaranty or (ii) the legality, validity, binding
effect or enforceability of this Guaranty.

               (g) There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the
best knowledge of the Guarantor, threatened that are reasonably likely to
materially and adversely affect the business, operations, property, assets,
condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Guarantor.

               (h) All factual information heretofore or contemporaneously
furnished by or on behalf of the Guarantor in writing to the Agent or the
Lenders (including but not limited to, all information contained herein) for
purposes of or in connection with this Guaranty or any transaction contemplated
herein is, and all other such factual information hereafter furnished by or on
behalf of the Guarantor in writing to the Agent or the Lenders will be, true and
accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such information is
dated or certified and, to the best of the Guarantor's knowledge, will not omit
to state any fact necessary to make such information not misleading at such time
in light of the circumstances under which such information was provided.

               (i) All representations and warranties made by the Borrower in
Article III of the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein by this reference as
if fully set forth herein and shall be hereby deemed made by the Guarantor as if
the Guarantor was the Borrower referred to therein; provided that this clause
(i) shall not apply to the following provisions of the Credit Agreement insofar
as they relate to the Guarantor (but shall apply to the extent that, by their
terms, they would relate to the Guarantor's Subsidiaries): Section 3.05, Section
3.15 and Section 3.16 (other than the penultimate sentence thereof).


                                       5.


<PAGE>   123
        9. COVENANTS. All covenants set forth in Articles V and VI of the Credit
Agreement (including all information and reporting requirements) are
incorporated herein by this reference as if fully set forth herein and shall be
hereby deemed made by the Guarantor as if the Guarantor was the Borrower
referred to therein; provided that this Section 9 shall not apply to the
following provisions of the Credit Agreement insofar as they relate to the
Guarantor (but shall apply to the extent that, by their terms, they would relate
to the Guarantor's Subsidiaries): clauses (c), (d) and (e) of Section 5.05,
Section 6.05 (to the extent the Guarantor would be prohibited thereunder from
declaring, and paying to holders of its capital stock, dividends consisting of
additional shares of its capital stock) and clause (a) of Section 6.10. Without
limitation on the foregoing, the Guarantor agrees that it shall not, and not
permit any Subsidiary to, incur any Lien on any of its or their respective
properties or assets (including the capital stock of Subsidiaries of the
Guarantor or the Borrower) except as expressly permitted by the Credit
Agreement.

        10. WAIVER OF SUBROGATION AND CONTRIBUTION. Until the Liabilities have
been indefeasibly paid in full, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives all
claims or other rights which it may now or hereafter acquire against any Person
which is primarily or contingently liable on the Liabilities (collectively, a
"Credit Party") that arise from the existence, payment, performance or
enforcement of the Guarantor's obligations under this Guaranty or any other Loan
Document, including but not limited to, any right of subrogation, reimbursement,
exoneration, contribution, indemnification, any right to participate in any
claim or remedy of the Agent or any Lender against any Credit Party or any
Collateral which such Credit Party now has or hereafter acquires, whether or not
such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute or
common law, including but not limited to, the right to take or receive from any
Credit Party, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or
in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim or other
rights. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of this
Section 10 and the Liabilities shall not have been paid in full such amount
shall be deemed to have been paid to the Guarantor for the ratable benefit of,
and held in trust for the benefit of the Agent and the Lenders, and shall
forthwith be paid to the Agent to be credited and applied to the Liabilities,
whether matured or unmatured.

        11. GUARANTY TO INURE TO BENEFIT OF ASSIGNEES OF LIABILITIES. Each
Lender may, from time to time, whether before or after any discontinuance of
this Guaranty, without notice to the Guarantor, assign or transfer any or all of
the Liabilities or any interest therein. Notwithstanding any such assignment or
transfer or any subsequent further assignment or transfer thereof, such
Liabilities shall be and remain Liabilities for the purposes of this Guaranty,
and each and every immediate and successive assignee or transferee of any of the
Liabilities or of any interest therein shall, to the extent of the interest of
such assignee or transferee in the Liabilities, be entitled to the benefits of
this Guaranty to the same extent as if such assignee or transferee were the
Lenders; provided, however, that unless the Agent shall otherwise consent in
writing, the Agent shall have an unimpaired right, prior and superior to that of
any such assignee or transferee, to enforce this Guaranty for the benefit of the
Lenders as to those of the Liabilities which the Lenders have not assigned or
transferred or which are then owed to the Lenders.

        12. SUBORDINATION. Any and all rights and claims of the Guarantor
against the Borrower or against any of the Borrower's property (including any
rights and claims for rents, indebtedness or other obligations) shall be
subordinated and subject to, in right of payment, the prior indefeasible payment
and performance in full of all liabilities and obligations of the 


                                       6.


<PAGE>   124
Borrower to the Agent and the Lenders, including but not limited to, the
Liabilities, and the lien of any such loan from the Guarantor to the Borrower
shall be inferior and subordinate to the lien of all Loan Documents.

        13. COSTS AND EXPENSES. (a) The Guarantor agrees to pay all
out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by (i) the Agent (including the fees
and expenses of the Agent's counsel and its paralegals, field exam expenses and
related fees and environmental audit and appraisal fees) in connection with the
preparation and administration of this Guaranty and the other Loan Documents, or
with any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or
thereof (whether or not the Transactions shall be consummated) or reasonably
incurred by the Agent and the Lenders (including the fees and expenses of the
Agent's and the Lenders' counsel and its paralegals) and (ii) the Agent and the
Lenders (including the fees and expenses of counsel and paralegals of each of
the Agent and the Lenders) in connection with the enforcement of the rights of
the Agent and the Lenders in connection with this Guaranty or the other Loan
Documents. The Guarantor further agrees that it shall indemnify the Agent and
the Lenders from and hold them harmless against any documentary taxes,
assessments or charges made by any governmental authority by reason of the
execution and delivery of this Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents.

               (b) The Guarantor agrees to indemnify the Agent, the Lenders and
their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents against,
and to hold the Agent, the Lenders and such Persons harmless from, any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, and related expenses, including reasonable legal and paralegal fees and
expenses, incurred by or asserted against the Agent, the Lenders or any such
Persons arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of any claim,
investigation, litigation or other proceeding (whether or not the Agent or any
Lender is a party) relating to (i) this Guaranty or the other Loan Documents,
(ii) the performance by the parties hereto and thereto of their respective
obligations hereunder and thereunder, (iii) the consummation of the
Transactions, (iv) the release of Hazardous Materials, including any damage or
injury resulting from any such Hazardous Materials to or affecting the
Guarantor's properties or the soil, water, air, vegetation, buildings, personal
property, persons or animals located on such properties or on any other property
or otherwise, or (v) any violation of any Environmental Laws. The foregoing
indemnity includes the cost of remedial action to the extent required to cause
the Guarantor's properties to be in compliance with all applicable Environmental
Laws. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the Agent and each Lender
separately, this indemnity shall not apply to any such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or related expenses arising from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of the Agent or such Lender.

               (c) The provisions of this Section shall remain operative and in
full force and effect regardless of the expiration of the term of this Guaranty,
the other Loan Documents, the consummation of the Transactions, the repayment of
any of the liabilities, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or
provision of this Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents, or any
investigation made by or on behalf of the Lenders. All amounts due under this
SECTION 13 shall be payable on written demand in reasonable detail therefor.

        14. SECURED GUARANTY. This Guaranty is secured by the Parent Security
Agreement and the Loan Documents executed in connection therewith.


                                       7.


<PAGE>   125
        15. GOVERNING LAW. THIS GUARANTY SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE AND
GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ILLINOIS
CHOICE OF LAW DOCTRINE.

        16. PLACE OF PAYMENT. Unless otherwise directed by the Agent, payment
hereunder shall in each case be made at the place of payment of the Liabilities
in respect to which such payment hereunder is made in immediately available
funds in the currency borrowed by the Borrower.

        17. SEVERABILITY. In the event any one or more of the provisions
contained in this Guaranty should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions contained herein or therein shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby.

        18. HEADINGS. Section headings in this Guaranty are included for
convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of, or to
be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Guaranty.

        19. LOAN DOCUMENTS. The Guarantor acknowledges that a copy of the Credit
Agreement and other Loan Documents have been made available to it and that it is
familiar with their contents.

        20. BANKRUPTCY. In the event of any bankruptcy, reorganization, winding
up, or similar proceedings with respect to the Borrower, no limitation on the
Borrower's liability under the Credit Agreement or any of the Loan Documents
that may now or hereafter be imposed by any federal, state or other statute,
law, regulation, or judicial or administrative determination applicable to such
proceedings shall in any way limit the obligation hereunder of the Guarantor,
which obligation is coextensive with the Borrower's liability as set forth in
the Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents without regard to any such
limitation.

        21. AMENDMENTS. Neither this Guaranty nor any provision hereof may be
waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in
writing entered into by the Agent and the Guarantor.

        22. NOTICES. (a) Notices and other communications provided for herein
and in the other Loan Documents shall be in writing and shall be delivered
personally or mailed, by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid (or in
the case of facsimile communication, delivered by telex, graphic scanning or
other facsimile communications equipment) or delivered by overnight courier
addressed:

          (i)         If to the Agent:

                      LaSalle National Bank
                      135 South LaSalle Street
                      Chicago, Illinois  60603
                      Attention: Michael J. Burton
                      Telephone:  (312) 904-2677
                      Facsimile:  (312) 904-6457


                                       8.


<PAGE>   126
               with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

                      Winston & Strawn
                      35 West Wacker Drive
                      Chicago, Illinois  60601
                      Attention: Ronald H. Jacobson
                      Telephone:  (312) 558-5832
                      Facsimile:  (312) 558-5700

          (ii)       IF TO THE GUARANTOR:

                      Artecon, Inc.
                      6305 El Camino Real
                      Carlsbad, California  92009
                      Attention:  Chief Financial Officer
                      Telephone: (760) 931-5500
                      Facsimile:  (760) 931-5527

               with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

                      Cooley Godward LLP
                      4365 Executive Drive, Suite 1100
                      San Diego, California  92121-2128
                      Telephone: (619) 550-6000
                      Facsimile:  (619) 453-3555
                      Attention: Thomas A. Coll

               (b) All notices and other communications given to any party
hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Guaranty shall be deemed to be
given on the date of receipt, in each case addressed to such party as provided
in this Section 22 or in accordance with the last unrevoked direction of such
Person.

        23. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. THE GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AGREES
THAT ANY SUIT, ACTION, PROCEEDING OR CLAIM AGAINST IT ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY
WAY RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY, OR ANY JUDGMENT ENTERED BY ANY COURT IN RESPECT
THEREOF, MAY BE BROUGHT OR ENFORCED IN THE STATE OR FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS OR COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS AND THE GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY PROTECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW
OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY PROCEEDING BROUGHT ACCORDINGLY, AND
FURTHER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY CLAIMS THAT ANY SUCH PROCEEDING HAS BEEN BROUGHT
IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

        24. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE GUARANTOR, THE AGENT AND EACH LENDER
HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHT, POWER, OR REMEDY UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH
THIS GUARANTY OR IN CONNECTION 


                                       9.


<PAGE>   127
WITH ANY AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT, OR AGREEMENT DELIVERED OR WHICH MAY IN
THE FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING FROM ANY BANKING
RELATIONSHIP EXISTING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GUARANTY AND AGREE THAT ANY SUCH
ACTION SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY. THE TERMS AND
PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION CONSTITUTE A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE PARTIES
ENTERING INTO THIS GUARANTY.

        25. INTEREST LIMITATION. Anything in this Guaranty or any Loan Document
to the contrary notwithstanding, the Guarantor shall never be required to pay
interest at a rate in excess of the highest lawful rate, and if the effective
rate of interest that would otherwise be payable under this Guaranty would
exceed the highest lawful rate, or if the Lenders shall receive monies that are
deemed to constitute interest which would increase the effective rate of
interest payable under this Guaranty, to a rate in excess of the highest lawful
rate, then (a) the amount of interest that would otherwise be payable under this
Guaranty shall be reduced to the amount allowed under applicable law, and (b)
any interest paid in excess of the highest lawful rate shall, at the option of
the Lenders, be either refunded to the payor or credited on the principal of the
Lenders.

        26. JUDGMENT CURRENCY.

               (a) If for any purpose, including the obtaining of judgment in
any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder from the currency in
which it is payable pursuant to the Credit Agreement (the "Payment Currency")
into another currency (the "Judgment Currency"), the parties hereto agree, to
the fullest extent that they may lawfully and effectively do so, that the rate
of exchange used shall be that at which, in accordance with normal banking
procedures, the Agent could purchase the Payment Currency with the Judgment
Currency in the Chicago foreign exchange market on the Business Day preceding
the date of final judgment.

               (b) The obligation of the Guarantor in respect of any sum due
from it to the Lenders hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment or payment
in a currency other than the Payment Currency, be discharged only to the extent
that on the Business Day following receipt by the Agent of any sum so paid or
adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency the Agent may in accordance with
normal banking procedures, purchase the Payment Currency with the amount of
Judgment Currency so paid or adjudged to be due; if the amount in the Payment
Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Lenders in the
Payment Currency, the Guarantor agrees, as a separate obligation and additional
cause of action and notwithstanding any such payment or judgment, to indemnify
the Lenders against such loss and if the amount in the Payment Currency so
purchased exceeds the sum originally due to the Lenders in the Payment Currency,
the Lenders agree to remit to the Guarantor such excess.

               (c) The term "rate of exchange" in this Section 26 means the spot
rate at which the Agent, in accordance with normal practices, is able on the
relevant date to purchase the Payment Currency with the Judgment Currency and
includes any premium and costs of exchange payable in connection with the
purchase.


                                      10.


<PAGE>   128
        27. WAIVER OF RIGHTS. Without limiting the generality, scope or meaning
of any other provision of this Guaranty (including, but not limited to, the
agreement by the Guarantor that the internal laws of the State of Illinois shall
govern this Guaranty), the Guarantor:

               (a) acknowledges that Section 2856 of the California Civil Code
authorizes and validates waivers of a guarantor's rights of subrogation and
reimbursement and certain other rights and defenses available to the Guarantor
under California law;

               (b) unless and until all of the Obligations have been
indefeasibly repaid in full, waives all rights of subrogation, reimbursement,
indemnification, and contribution and waives all other rights and defenses that
are or may become available by reason of Sections 2787 to 2855, inclusive, of
the California Civil Code;

               (c) waives all rights and defenses arising out of an election of
remedies by the Agent or the Lenders, even though that election of remedies,
such as a nonjudicial foreclosure with respect to security for a guaranteed
obligation, has destroyed the Guarantor's rights of subrogation and
reimbursement against the Borrower by the operation of Section 580d of the
California Code of Civil Procedure or otherwise;

               (d) waives all rights and defenses that the Guarantor may have in
the event the Borrower's debt is secured by real property. This means, among
other things:

                      (i) The Agent or the Lenders may collect from the
Guarantor without first foreclosing on any real or personal property collateral
pledged by the Borrower;

                      (ii) If the Agent or the Lenders foreclose on any real
property collateral pledged by the Borrower:

                           (1) the amount of the debt may be reduced only by the
price for which that collateral is sold at the foreclosure sale, even if the
collateral is worth more than the sale price; and

                           (2) the Agent or the Lenders may collect from the
Guarantor even if the Agent or the Lenders, by foreclosing on the real property
collateral, have destroyed any right the Guarantor may have to collect from the
Borrower.

                      This is an unconditional and irrevocable waiver of any
rights and defenses the Guarantor may have in the event the Borrower's debt is
secured by real property. These rights and defenses include, but are not limited
to, any rights or defenses based upon Sections 580a, 580b, 580d, or 726 of the
California Code of Civil Procedure; and

               (e) waives all rights and defenses, if any, now or hereafter
arising under the laws of the State of Illinois, which are the same as or
similar to the rights and defenses waived as described above.


                            [signature page follows]


                                      11.


<PAGE>   129
        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantor has executed and delivered this
Guaranty as of the date written above.

                                     ARTECON, INC.


                                     By: /s/ James L. Lambert
                                        -------------------------------
                                     Its: President
                                         ------------------------------


                                      12.


<PAGE>   130
                            PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT


        WHEREAS, Artecon California, a California corporation ("Grantor"), owns
the Patents and Patent applications listed on Schedule 1 annexed hereto, and is
a party to any patent licenses listed on Schedule 1 annexed hereto (the "Patent
Licenses");

        WHEREAS, Grantor and LaSalle National Bank, as Agent (together with its
successors and assigns, the "Grantee"), and the Lenders are parties to that
certain Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the same, as it may be
amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified and in effect from time to
time, the "Credit Agreement"; terms defined in the Credit Agreement and not
otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings provided for in the Credit
Agreement), providing for extensions of credit to be made to Grantor by the
Lenders; and

        WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement and the Borrower
Security Agreement, Grantor has granted to Grantee, for the benefit of Grantee
and the Lenders, a security interest in substantially all the assets of Grantor,
including all right, title and interest of Grantor in, to and under all now
owned and hereafter acquired Patents, Patent applications and Patent Licenses,
and all products and proceeds thereof, to secure the payment of all amounts
owing by Grantor under the Credit Agreement;

        NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Grantor does hereby grant to
Grantee, for the benefit of Grantee and the Lenders, a continuing security
interest in all of Grantor's right, title and interest in, to and under the
following (all of the following items or types of property being herein
collectively referred to as the "Patent Collateral"), whether presently existing
or hereafter created or acquired:

        1.      each Patent and Patent application, including, without
                limitation, each Patent and Patent application referred to in
                Schedule 1 annexed hereto, together with any reissues,
                continuations or extensions thereof;

        2.      each Patent License, including, without limitation, each Patent
                License listed on Schedule 1 annexed hereto; and 

        3.      all products and proceeds of the foregoing, including, without
                limitation, any claim by Grantor against third parties for past,
                present or future infringement of any Patent, including, without
                limitation, any Patent referred to in Schedule 1 annexed hereto,
                any Patent issued pursuant to a Patent application referred to
                in Schedule 1 and any Patent licensed under any Patent License
                listed on Schedule 1 annexed hereto. 


This security interest is granted in conjunction with the security interests
granted to Grantee pursuant to the Credit Agreement. Grantor hereby acknowledges
and affirms that the rights and remedies of Grantee with respect to the security
interest in the Patent Collateral made and granted hereby are more fully set
forth in the Credit Agreement and the Borrower Security Agreement, the terms and
provisions of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth
herein.


                                       1.


<PAGE>   131
        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantor has caused this Patent Security Agreement to
be duly executed by its duly authorized officer thereunto as of this 5th day of
May, 1998.

                                            ARTECON CALIFORNIA


                                            By:/s/ James L. Lambert
                                               -------------------------------
                                            Title: President
                                                  ----------------------------

Acknowledged:

LASALLE NATIONAL BANK,
as Agent


By:/s/ Michael J. Burton
   -------------------------------

Title: First V.P.
      ----------------------------


                                       2.


<PAGE>   132
STATE OF ____________  )
                       ) ss
COUNTY OF __________   )


        On this ______ day of May, 1998, before me personally appeared the
person whose signature is set forth above, to me known, who, being duly sworn,
did depose and say that he is the above-indicated officer of Artecon California,
a California corporation, and which executed the above instrument; and that he
signed his name thereto by authority of the Board of Directors of said
corporation.


                               ----------------------------------
                               Notary Public


<PAGE>   133
                          TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT


        WHEREAS, Artecon California, a California corporation ("Grantor"), owns
the Trademarks and Trademark applications listed on Schedule 1 annexed hereto,
and is a party to any trademark licenses listed on Schedule 1 annexed hereto
(the "Trademark Licenses");

        WHEREAS, Grantor and LaSalle National Bank, as Agent (together with its
successors and assigns, the "Grantee"), and the Lenders are parties to that
certain Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the same, as it may be
amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified and in effect from time to
time, the "Credit Agreement"; terms defined in the Credit Agreement and not
otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings provided for in the Credit
Agreement), providing for extensions of credit to be made to Borrower by the
Lenders;

        WHEREAS, as a condition to the obligations of the Lenders under the
Credit Agreement, Grantor has executed and delivered in favor of Grantee and the
Lenders a Guaranty of Payment dated the date hereof (as the same may be amended,
restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Guaranty"); and

        WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, Grantor has
granted to Grantee, for the benefit of Grantee and the Lenders, a security
interest in substantially all the assets of Grantor, including all right, title
and interest of Grantor in, to and under all now owned and hereafter acquired
Trademarks, Trademark applications and Trademark Licenses, and all products and
proceeds thereof, to secure the payment of all amounts owing by Borrower under
the Credit Agreement;

        NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Grantor does hereby grant to
Grantee, for the benefit of Grantee and the Lenders, a continuing security
interest in all of Grantor's right, title and interest in, to and under the
following (all of the following items or types of property being herein
collectively referred to as the "Trademark Collateral"), whether presently
existing or hereafter created or acquired:

        1.      each Trademark and Trademark application, including, without
                limitation, each Trademark and Trademark application referred to
                in Schedule 1 annexed hereto, together with any reissues,
                continuations or extensions thereof and all goodwill associated
                therewith;

        2.      each Trademark License, including, without limitation, each
                Trademark License listed on Schedule 1 annexed hereto, together
                with all goodwill associated therewith; and

        3.      all products and proceeds of the foregoing, including, without
                limitation, any claim by Grantor against third parties for past,
                present or future infringement of any Trademark, including,
                without limitation, any Trademark referred to in Schedule 1
                annexed hereto, any Trademark issued pursuant to a Trademark
                application referred to in Schedule 1 and any Trademark licensed
                under any Trademark License listed on Schedule 1 annexed hereto.


                                       1.


<PAGE>   134
This security interest is granted in conjunction with the security interests
granted to Grantee pursuant to the Guaranty. Grantor hereby acknowledges and
affirms that the rights and remedies of Grantee with respect to the security
interest in the Trademark Collateral made and granted hereby are more fully set
forth in the Guaranty and the Parent Security Agreement, the terms and
provisions of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth
herein.

                            [signature page follows]


                                       2.


<PAGE>   135
        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantor has caused this Trademark Security Agreement
to be duly executed by its duly authorized officer thereunto as of this 5th day
of May, 1998.

                                        ARTECON CALIFORNIA


                                        By:/s/ James L. Lambert
                                           -------------------------------
                                        Title: President
                                              ----------------------------

Acknowledged:

LASALLE NATIONAL BANK,
as Agent


By:/s/ Michael J. Burton
   -------------------------------
Title: First V.P.
      ----------------------------


                                       3.


<PAGE>   136
STATE OF ____________  )
                       ) ss
COUNTY OF __________   )


        On this ______ day of May, 1998, before me personally appeared the
person whose signature is set forth above, to me known, who, being duly sworn,
did depose and say that he is the above-indicated officer of Artecon California,
a California corporation, and which executed the above instrument; and that he
signed his name thereto by authority of the Board of Directors of said
corporation.


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                                     Notary Public