Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10(j)

              SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement")
              made as of October 30, 2001, by and between NetSilicon, Inc., a
              Massachusetts corporation (the "Company"), and Cornelius Peterson,
              VIII (the "Executive").

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         WHEREAS, the Company has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
by and among the Company, Digi International Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Digi"), and Dove Sub Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Digi ("Dove Sub"),
dated as of October 30, 2001 (the "Merger Agreement"), pursuant to which the
Company shall be merged with and into Dove Sub (the "Merger"); and

         WHEREAS, the Executive has been providing services to the Company
pursuant to an Employment Agreement dated as of August 9, 2001, as amended by
the First Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of October 30,
2001;

         WHEREAS, it is a condition to Digi's and the Company's executing the
Merger Agreement that the Executive enter into this Agreement;

         WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend and restate the First
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement in its entirety as set forth herein,
subject to consummation of the Merger and effective upon the Effective Time (as
defined in the Merger Agreement); and

         WHEREAS, if the Merger is not consummated, this Agreement shall be null
and void.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the
respective agreements of the Company and Executive set forth below, the Company
and Executive, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1)    Term.

      (a)  The Company hereby agrees to continue to employ the Executive and the
           Executive hereby agrees to continue employment with the Company, in
           the positions set forth in Section 2 below, for the Term (as defined
           below), subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

      (b)  The term (the "Term") of this Agreement shall commence as of the
           Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and shall
           continue until the date 18 months following the Effective Time unless
           terminated earlier in accordance with Section 4.

2)    Position, Duties and Responsibilities.

      (a)  During the Term, the Executive shall be employed by the Company and
           shall serve the Company as Senior Vice President of Business
           Development. The Executive shall have such duties and
           responsibilities as are incident to, or reasonably requested in
           connection with, such positions, as well as such other comparable
           duties and responsibilities as may be agreed upon by him and the
           Chief Executive Officer of Digi

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           and/or Digi's Board of Directors ("Digi's BOD"). The Executive shall
           report to the Chief Executive Officer of Digi.

      (b)  During the Term, the Executive shall serve the Company faithfully,
           diligently and to the best of the Executive's ability, and shall
           devote substantially all of his business time and efforts to such
           service. The Executive also shall not engage in any other business
           activity without the written consent of the Chief Executive Officer
           of Digi, except that the Executive may (i) carry on charitable,
           civic, or other not-for-profit activities or (ii) manage his personal
           investments, provided that none such activities conflict with the
           Executive's duties under this Agreement and the Non-Disclosure,
           Proprietary Rights and Non-Solicitation Agreement entered into
           between the Executive and the Company dated May 2, 2000 (the
           "Nondisclosure Agreement"). If the Executive shall be elected to
           other offices of the Company, Digi or any of their affiliates, and if
           the Executive shall in his sole discretion accept in writing the
           election to such offices, he shall serve in such positions without
           further compensation than provided for in this Agreement.
           Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive agrees to serve as a
           director of Digi without compensation (other than reimbursement for
           expenses in connection with attendance at meetings in accordance with
           Digi's policies) until such time as the Executive shall become an
           Outside Director of Digi (as defined in Digi's 2000 Omnibus Stock
           Plan), at which time he will be entitled to receive compensation from
           Digi as an Outside Director generally applicable to other Outside
           Directors. The Executive shall perform his services under this
           Agreement primarily from his home office and at such locations as may
           be required by the Company from time to time, but the Company will
           not require the Executive to permanently relocate to an office more
           than 50 miles from the Company's Waltham, Massachusetts, office. The
           Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all reasonable
           business expenses associated with maintaining his home office.

      (c)  The Executive agrees to comply with the policies and procedures of
           the Company applicable to its U.S. employees generally from time to
           time that are in force (which may be amended, revised or supplemented
           at any time in the Company's and/or the Company's Board of Directors'
           ("Company's BOD") sole discretion), provided, however, that to the
           extent there is a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and
           the policies and procedures of the Company, the terms of this
           Agreement shall govern unless otherwise specified herein.

3)    Compensation and Benefits. During the term of this Agreement, the Company
      shall pay the Executive as compensation for his performance of his duties
      and obligations hereunder, the following:

      (a)  Base Salary. During the Term, the Company shall pay to the Executive
           a base salary at the rate of U.S. $20,833.33 per month ("Base
           Salary"), subject to annual increase at the discretion of the Digi's
           BOD's Compensation Committee ("Digi Compensation Committee") in
           accordance with Digi's executive compensation practices, and payable
           in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company as
           may be modified or established from time to time.

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      (b)  Incentive Compensation. During the Term, the Executive shall be
           eligible to receive additional annual incentive compensation (the
           "Incentive Bonus"). The amount of the Incentive Bonus, if any, shall
           be $125,000 provided the Digi Compensation Committee has determined
           that the Executive has attained certain goals established by the Digi
           Compensation Committee. The Digi Compensation Committee may consider,
           among other things, the Executive's actual attainment of specific
           goals as established by the Digi Compensation Committee, and Digi's
           and/or the Company's overall performance. The Digi Compensation
           Committee will make all determinations regarding the Executive's
           eligibility for the annual Incentive Bonus at its sole discretion.
           Subject to the provisions of Section 4 herein, the Executive must be
           employed by the Company in good standing (as determined by Digi's
           BOD) to be eligible for any Incentive Bonus payments, which will be
           subject to applicable taxes and payable in accordance with the
           Company's normal bonus pay practices as may be established or
           modified from time to time.

      (c)  Stock options.

          (i)   Digi shall upon consummation of the Merger and pursuant to the
                Merger Agreement, assume all of the Executive's outstanding
                stock options to purchase shares of the Company's stock, which
                shares shall be exercisable for shares of Digi's common stock,
                and Digi shall file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 to
                register the Digi shares to be issued pursuant to such options.

          (ii)  Upon consummation of the Merger, Executive's unvested stock
                options shall vest immediately and all of the Executive's stock
                options shall remain in full force and effect and may be
                exercised at any time up to their latest possible date of
                expiration as set out in each stock option agreement entered
                into between the Executive and the Company and applicable to
                such options (such option agreements existing as of the date of
                this Agreement and the latest possible date of expiration of the
                option contained in each such option agreement as of the date of
                this Agreement are identified in Exhibit A hereto)
                notwithstanding any provision contained in any existing or
                future stock option agreement entered into between the Executive
                and the Company (as such agreements may be amended from time to
                time) or in the Company's Amended and Restated 1998 Incentive
                and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (as amended from time to
                time) or the Company's 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (as
                amended from time to time) that provides for either a lesser
                period of time within which to exercise such options or
                forfeiture of any option granted thereunder. In the event that
                any date of expiration contained in any existing or future stock
                option agreement entered into between the Executive and the
                Company shall be extended to a later date in time, then the
                Executive's right to exercise options pursuant to such stock
                option agreement shall be extended to that later date in time.

          (iii) The Executive shall be eligible to receive additional stock
                option awards as determined by Digi's Compensation Committee in
                its sole discretion.

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      (d)  Benefits. Subject to any contribution therefor generally required of
           senior executives of the Company, the Executive shall be eligible to
           participate in all employee benefits plans, including the Company's
           health and dental plans, as adopted by the Company's BOD and in
           effect for senior Company executives. Such participation shall be
           subject to (i) the terms of the applicable plan documents, (ii)
           generally applicable Company policies, and (iii) the discretion of
           the Company's BOD or any administrative or other committee provided
           for in or contemplated by such plans.

      (e)  Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all
           reasonable business expenses incurred or paid by the Executive in the
           performance of his responsibilities hereunder in accordance with the
           Company's prevailing policy and practice relating to reimbursements
           as established, modified or amended from time to time. The Executive
           must provide substantiation and documentation of these expenses to
           the Company in order to receive reimbursement, as required pursuant
           to Company policy.

      (f)  Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to accrue up to four (4)
           weeks of vacation per calendar year, to be taken and paid in
           accordance with Company policy.

4)    Termination of Employment.

      (a)  Termination by the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate the
           Executive's employment and this Agreement for Cause (as defined in
           Section 8(a)) upon written notice to the Executive and expiration of
           any cure periods as set forth in Section 8(a). In the event of
           termination for Cause, the Executive shall be entitled to no
           payments, salary continuation or other benefits, except for:

         (i)      Base Salary earned and accrued but unpaid through the date of
                  Executive's termination of employment;

         (ii)     any Incentive Bonus payment, as determined by the Digi
                  Compensation Committee pursuant to Section 3(b) herein, for
                  the year previously ended prior to the Executive's
                  termination. In addition, in its sole discretion, the Digi
                  Compensation Committee may provide an additional incentive
                  bonus payment for the year in which the Executive's
                  termination of employment occurred;

         (iii)    payment for accrued but unused vacation time up to the
                  Executive's termination of employment;

         (iv)     statutory benefit continuation rights in accordance with the
                  Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985
                  ("COBRA"), provided Executive makes the appropriate voluntary
                  contribution payments and subject to applicable law and the
                  requirements of the Company's health insurance plans then in
                  effect; and

         (v)      all expenses reimbursable to the Executive and unpaid as of
                  the date of Executive's termination of employment.

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    (b)    Termination Due to Death or Permanent Disability. In the event of the
           termination of the Executive's employment and this Agreement due to
           the Executive's death or Disability (as defined in Section 8(c)), the
           Executive, or the Executive's legal representative, shall be entitled
           to no payments, salary continuation or other benefits, except for:

         (i)      Base Salary to the extent earned and accrued but unpaid
                  through the date of Executive's termination of employment, as
                  well as a one-time lump-sum cash payment equivalent to the
                  Executive's monthly Base Salary multiplied by the number of
                  months remaining in the then-current Term of this Agreement,
                  to be paid within a reasonable time, not to exceed ninety (90)
                  days, after the Executive's death or Disability, subject to
                  any offset or reduction as set forth in Section 4(b)(iv);

         (ii)     any Incentive Bonus payment, as determined by the Digi
                  Compensation Committee pursuant to Section 3(b) herein, for
                  the year previously ended prior to the Executive's
                  termination. In addition, in its sole discretion, the Digi
                  Compensation Committee may provide an additional incentive
                  bonus payment for the year in which the Executive's
                  termination of employment occurred;

         (iii)    payment for accrued but unused vacation time up to the
                  Executive's termination of employment;

         (iv)     all benefits the Executive would otherwise receive upon a
                  Disability or upon death under any benefit plan covering the
                  Executive, provided, however, that all such benefits that the
                  Executive receives or would otherwise receive upon a
                  Disability shall be offset against any other payments under
                  Section 4(b)(i) of this Section 4(b), such that any amount
                  potentially owing to the Executive under Section 4(b)(i) is
                  reduced, but not less than zero, by the monetary value of the
                  benefits (referenced in this subsection) received by the
                  Executive;

         (v)      statutory benefit continuation rights in accordance with
                  COBRA, provided Executive makes the appropriate voluntary
                  contribution payments and subject to applicable law and the
                  requirements of the Company's health insurance plans then in
                  effect;

         (vi)     all expenses reimbursable to the Executive and unpaid as of
                  the date of Executive's termination of employment; and

         (vii)    the Executive's unvested stock options shall vest immediately
                  and all of the Executive's stock options shall remain in full
                  force and effect and may be exercised at any time up to their
                  latest possible date of expiration as set out in each stock
                  option agreement entered into between the Executive and the
                  Company and applicable to such options (such option agreements
                  existing as of the date of this Agreement and the latest
                  possible date of expiration of the option contained in each
                  such option agreement as of the date of this Agreement are
                  identified in Exhibit A hereto) notwithstanding any provision
                  contained in any

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                  existing or future stock option agreement entered into between
                  the Executive and the Company (as such agreements may be
                  amended from time to time) or in the Company's Amended and
                  Restated 1998 Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan
                  (as amended from time to time) or the Company's 2001 Stock
                  Option and Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time) that
                  provides for either a lesser period of time within which to
                  exercise such options or forfeiture of any option granted
                  thereunder. In the event that any date of expiration contained
                  in any existing or future stock option agreement entered into
                  between the Executive and the Company shall be extended to a
                  later date in time, then the Executive's right to exercise
                  options pursuant to such stock option agreement shall be
                  extended to that later date in time.

                  During the Term, the Company shall maintain disability
                  insurance policies, for which the Executive is eligible,
                  comparable to the insurance policies for which the other
                  senior executives of the Company are eligible.

      (c)  Termination Without Cause or Expiration of Term. In the event that
           the Executive's employment and this Agreement is terminated by the
           Company without Cause or upon the expiration of the Term, this
           Agreement shall expire and the Executive shall be entitled to no
           payments, salary continuation or other benefits, except for:

         (i)      a one-time lump-sum cash payment equivalent to the Executive's
                  monthly Base Salary multiplied by the number of months
                  remaining in the initial 18 month Term of this Agreement, to
                  be paid within a reasonable time, not to exceed ninety (90)
                  days, if, and only if, this Agreement is terminated by the
                  Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason in
                  the initial 18 month Term;

         (ii)     the Incentive Bonus payment as provided in Section 3(b),
                  prorated through the date of such termination by the Company
                  or expiration of the Term as provided in this Section 4(c),
                  regardless of whether or not the Executive has attained the
                  goals established by the Company's Compensation Committee;

         (iii)    payment for accrued but unused vacation time up to the
                  Executive's termination of employment;

         (iv)     all expenses reimbursable to the Executive and unpaid as of
                  the date of Executive's termination of employment;

         (v)      if the Executive elects after the termination of his
                  employment and in accordance with COBRA to continue health
                  coverage under the same plans available to active Company
                  employees, under the same rules, restrictions and regulations
                  applicable thereto, the Company shall make premium payments on
                  his behalf until the earlier of (x) eighteen (18) months from
                  the last day of the Executive's employment or (y) the date on
                  which the Executive becomes ineligible to receive COBRA
                  benefits ("COBRA Coverage"); provided that when the COBRA
                  Coverage concludes, the Company shall reimburse the Executive
                  for the cost of the Executive obtaining a medicare supplement
                  policy for both the Executive and his

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                  spouse, equivalent to the Blue Cross of New England's Medex
                  Gold policy, from the date on which the COBRA Coverage
                  concludes and terminating for each of the Executive and his
                  spouse when they respectively attain the age of 80 years. The
                  Executive shall be responsible for obtaining Medicare Part A,
                  Medicare Part B and the individual Medicare supplement policy
                  and shall be responsible for any premiums associated with
                  either Medicare part A or Part B for both himself and his
                  spouse. In addition, the Company shall reimburse the Executive
                  in an amount equal to the reasonable cost of the Executive
                  obtaining a dental insurance policy for himself and his spouse
                  until each of the Executive and his spouse respectively attain
                  the age of 80 years. The Executive shall be responsible for
                  obtaining the dental insurance policies. Any time after the
                  period ending five years from the date the COBRA Coverage
                  concludes, the Company may elect to pay a one-time lump-sum
                  payment for the insurance policies instead of continuing to
                  reimburse the Executive as provided above. The one-time
                  lump-sum payment will be in an amount equal to the then
                  current premium payments of the policies held by the Executive
                  and his spouse, indexed for inflation for the years remaining
                  until each of the Executive and his spouse attains the age of
                  80 years (using the average of the past three years' annual
                  Consumer Price Index for Boston Medical Care) and then
                  discounted to the present value using the then current prime
                  rate; and

         (vi)     the Executive's unvested stock options shall vest immediately
                  and all of the Executive's stock options shall remain in full
                  force and effect and may be exercised at any time up to their
                  latest possible date of expiration as set out in each stock
                  option agreement entered into between the Executive and the
                  Company and applicable to such options (such option agreements
                  existing as of the date of this Agreement and the latest
                  possible date of expiration of the option contained in each
                  such option agreement as of the date of this Agreement are
                  identified in Exhibit A hereto) notwithstanding any provision
                  contained in any existing or future stock option agreement
                  entered into between the Executive and the Company (as such
                  agreements may be amended from time to time) or in the
                  Company's Amended and Restated 1998 Incentive and
                  Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (as amended from time to time)
                  or the Company's 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (as
                  amended from time to time) that provides for either a lesser
                  period of time within which to exercise such options or
                  forfeiture of any option granted thereunder. In the event that
                  any date of expiration contained in any existing or future
                  stock option agreement entered into between the Executive and
                  the Company shall be extended to a later date in time, then
                  the Executive's right to exercise options pursuant to such
                  stock option agreement shall be extended to that later date in
                  time.

      (d)  Voluntary Termination. The Executive may voluntarily terminate his
           employment only upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the Company's
           BOD ("Voluntary Termination"). In the event of a Voluntary
           Termination, the Company may accelerate Executive's departure date
           (and terminate this Agreement) and will have no obligation to pay
           Executive after his actual departure date. In the event of a
           Voluntary Termination, the Executive shall be entitled to no
           payments, salary continuation, or other benefits, except for (i)
           those payments and benefits as set forth in Section 4(a) and (ii) any
           of the

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           Executive's stock options due to vest within sixty (60) days of the
           Executive's written notice of Voluntary Termination to the Company's
           BOD, which shall vest immediately.

      (e)  Termination by the Executive for Good Reason. In the event the
           Executive decides to terminate this Agreement and his employment for
           Good Reason (as defined in Section 8(e)), the Executive must give
           notice of such Good Reason to the Company and the Company's BOD. If
           the basis for such Good Reason is not cured (as determined by the
           Company's BOD in good faith) within thirty (30) days after the
           Company and the Company's BOD receive written notice specifying the
           basis of such Good Reason, this Agreement, and the Executive's
           employment, shall terminate. In the event of a termination by the
           Executive for Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to the
           payments and benefits as set forth in Section 4(c).

      (f)  Execution of Release of Claims. In order to receive any of the
           payments and benefits outlined in Section 4(b), 4(c) or 4(e), as the
           case may be, the Executive must execute a comprehensive release of
           all claims in favor of the Company and its officers, directors,
           employees, shareholders, agents and/or representatives.

      (g)  Cessation of Payments and Benefits. If the Company's BOD in good
           faith determines that the Executive breached in any material respect
           his obligations under this Agreement or the Nondisclosure Agreement,
           the Company may immediately cease payment of all payments and/or
           benefits described in this Agreement. This cessation of payments
           and/or benefits shall be in addition to, and not as an alternative
           to, any other remedies in law or in equity available to the Company,
           including the right to seek specific performance or an injunction.

5)    Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, the Executive's
      unvested stock options shall vest immediately and all of the Executive's
      stock options shall remain in full force and effect and may be exercised
      at any time up to their latest possible date of expiration as set out in
      each stock option agreement entered into between the Executive and the
      Company and applicable to such options (such option agreements existing as
      of the date of this Agreement and the latest possible date of expiration
      of the option contained in each such option agreement as of the date of
      this Agreement are identified in Exhibit A hereto) notwithstanding any
      provision contained in any existing or future stock option agreement
      entered into between the Executive and the Company (as such agreements may
      be amended from time to time) or in the Company's Amended and Restated
      1998 Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (as amended from time
      to time) or the Company's 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (as amended
      from time to time) that provides for either a lesser period of time within
      which to exercise such options or forfeiture of any option granted
      thereunder. In the event that any date of expiration contained in any
      existing or future stock option agreement entered into between the
      Executive and the Company shall be extended to a later date in time, then
      the Executive's right to exercise options pursuant to such stock option
      agreement shall be extended to that later date in time.

6)    Certain Additional Payments by the Company. If any payment or benefit to
      which the Executive (or any person on account of the Executive) is
      entitled, whether under this Agreement or otherwise (a "Payment")
      constitutes a "parachute payment" within the

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      meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
      (the "Code"), and as a result thereof the Executive is subject to a tax
      under Section 4999 of the Code, or any successor thereto (an "Excise
      Tax"), the Company shall pay to the Executive an additional amount, which
      is intended to make the Executive whole for payment of such Excise Tax
      (the "Gross-Up Amount"). The Gross-Up Amount shall be equal to the amount
      of the Excise Tax (including the aggregate amount of any interest,
      penalties, fines or additions imposed in connection with the imposition of
      such Excise Tax), plus all income, excise and other applicable taxes
      imposed on the Executive under the laws of any Federal, state of local
      government or taxing authority by reason of the payments required under
      this Section 6.

      (a)  For purposes of determining the Gross-Up Amount, the Executive shall
           be deemed to be taxed at the highest marginal rate under all
           applicable local, state and federal income tax laws for the year in
           which the Gross-Up Amount is paid. The Gross-Up Amount shall be paid
           by the Company coincident with the Payment to which the Excise Tax
           relates.

      (b)  All calculations under this Section 6, including whether and when a
           Gross-Up Amount is required to be paid and the amount of such
           Gross-Up Amount and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at
           such calculations, shall be made by a nationally recognized public
           accounting firm as shall be jointly designated by the Executive and
           the Company (the "Accounting Firm"). The Accounting Firm shall
           provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and to
           the Executive. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be
           borne by the Company. The determination of the Accounting Firm shall
           be conclusive on the Company and the Executive unless the Internal
           Revenue Service, a court of competent jurisdiction or such other duly
           empowered governmental body or agency (a "Tax Authority") determines
           that the Executive owes a greater or lesser amount of Excise Tax with
           respect to any Payment than the amount determined by the Accounting
           Firm.

      (c)  If a Tax Authority makes a claim against the Executive which, if
           successful, would require the Company to pay a greater Gross-Up
           Amount under this Section 6, the Executive agrees to contest the
           claim on request of the Company with counsel jointly chosen by the
           Executive and the Company, subject to the following conditions:

         (i)      The Executive shall notify the Company of any such claim
                  promptly after becoming aware thereof. In the event that the
                  Company desires the claim to be contested, it shall promptly
                  (but in no event more than thirty (30) days after the notice
                  from the Executive or such shorter time as the Tax Authority
                  may specify for responding to such claim) request the
                  Executive to contest the claim.

         (ii)     If the Company so request that the Executive contest the
                  claim, the Executive will, at the direction of the Company,
                  either pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund in the
                  appropriate court, or contest the claim in the United States
                  Tax Court or other appropriate court, provided, however, that
                  any request by the Company for the Executive to pay the tax
                  bill shall be accompanied by an advance from the Company to
                  the Executive of funds sufficient to make the requested
                  payment plus any amounts

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                  payable under this Section 6 determined as if such advance
                  were a Gross-Up Amount. The Executive agrees to cooperate in
                  good faith with the Company in contesting the claim and to
                  comply with any reasonable request from the Company concerning
                  the contest of the claim. The Company shall be liable for and
                  indemnify the Executive against any loss in connection with,
                  and all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys'
                  fees, which may be incurred as a result of contesting the
                  claim, and shall provide to the Executive cash advances for
                  all such costs and expenses reasonably expected to be incurred
                  by the Executive as a result of contesting the claim.

      (d)  Should a Tax Authority finally determine that an additional Excise
           Tax is owed, then the Company shall pay an additional Gross-Up Amount
           to the Executive including any assessment of interest, fines or
           penalties in accordance with this Section 6. Should a Tax Authority
           finally determine that the Executive is entitled to a refund, the
           Executive shall promptly pay to the Company the amount of such
           refund.

7)   Consideration. In addition to the other benefits provided to the Executive
     in this Agreement, the Company shall pay $10,000 to the Executive upon the
     execution of this Agreement as consideration for his entering into this
     Agreement.

8)   Definitions.

     For purposes of the Agreement, the following terms shall be defined as set
forth below:

      (a)  "Cause," which will be determined by the Digi Compensation Committee
           in good faith and at its sole discretion, is defined as:

         (i)      the continued failure or refusal of the Executive
                  substantially to perform Executive's duties and obligations to
                  the Company (other than any such failure resulting from the
                  Executive's Disability) and which is not cured within fifteen
                  (15) days of notice thereof from the Company;

         (ii)     gross negligence in the performance of the Executive's duties,
                  willful misfeasance in connection with the Executive's work,
                  dishonesty, disloyalty, or a breach of fiduciary duty by the
                  Executive;

         (iii)    the commission by the Executive of an act of fraud,
                  embezzlement, misappropriation of any money or other assets or
                  property (whether tangible or intangible), or any other
                  illegal conduct in connection with the Executive's performance
                  of his duties;

         (iv)     the Executive's conviction of or pleading of nolo contendere
                  to a felony;

         (v)      disregard in any material respect of the rules or policies of
                  the Company, which, if curable, has not been cured within
                  fifteen (15) days after notice thereof from the Company;

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         (vi)     engagement by the Executive in misconduct which is injurious
                  in any material respect to the Company; or

         (vii)    the commission of an act which constitutes unfair competition
                  with the Company or which induces any customer of the Company
                  to breach a contract with the Company, or the Executive's
                  material breach of this Agreement, the Nondisclosure
                  Agreement, or any other written agreement with the Company.

      (b)  "Change of Control" means: (i) the merger or consolidation of Digi
           with or into any other corporation or entity, or the merger or
           consolidation of any other corporation or entity into or with Digi,
           which results in Digi's or those persons who are shareholders of Digi
           from and after the Effective Time holding less than 50% in voting
           power of the outstanding capital stock of the surviving corporation;
           (ii) any sale or transfer in a single transaction or series of
           related transactions of all or substantially all of Digi's assets as
           of the transaction date (or the date of the first transaction in a
           series of related transactions); (iii) a third "person," including a
           "group," becomes the "beneficial owner" (as these terms are defined
           in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended)
           of shares of Digi having more than 50% of the voting power of the
           outstanding capital stock of Digi; or (iv) any transaction or series
           of related transactions in which a third "person," including a
           "group" (as these terms are defined in Section 13(d) of the
           Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), appoints or elects a
           majority of the Board of Directors of Digi.

      (c)  "Disability" means the Executive's inability, for a period of ninety
           (90) consecutive days, to perform, with or without a reasonable
           accommodation (that does not subject the Company to an undue
           hardship), the essential functions of his position by reason of
           mental or physical impairment.

      (d)  "Voluntary Termination" means a termination of employment during the
           Term by the Executive on the Executive's own initiative other than a
           termination for death or Disability under Section 4(b).

      (e)  "Good Reason" shall mean, without the Executive's approval,

         (i)      a material diminution, without Cause (as defined in Section
                  8(a)), in the material responsibilities of the Executive;

         (ii)     Executive's permanent relocation to an office more than 50
                  miles from the Company's Waltham, Massachusetts office;

         (iii)    failure by the Company to pay any material amount due under
                  this Agreement within fifteen (15) days after written notice
                  thereof from the Executive to the Company and the Company's
                  BOD; or

         (iv)     any reduction of the Executive's Base Salary or material
                  benefits provided to the Executive as a whole that comprises a
                  material reduction in his total annual compensation, unless
                  such reduction is applicable to other senior executives of the

                                       11
<PAGE>

                  Company as part of a concessionary arrangement between those
                  executives and the Company and/or the Company's BOD.

9)   Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation. As a condition of this Agreement, and
     in consideration for the payments set forth herein, the Executive agrees
     that, during the period of his employment by the Company, Digi and their
     subsidiaries and for three (3) years after the termination of his
     employment for any reason (except for termination without Cause or
     termination for Good Reason), the Executive shall not:

     (a)   directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person
           or entity, for any person or entity, engage in the marketing or sale
           of Competitive Products or Services (defined below) to persons or
           entities: (i) whom the Executive has called upon or contacted, or
           from whom the Executive has solicited business, as an employee of the
           Company; (ii) located in any sales territory that the Executive has
           covered or supervised with the Company; or (iii) for whom the
           Executive directly or indirectly prepared proposals or sales plans on
           behalf of the Company;

     (b)   directly or indirectly work as an employee, independent contractor,
           consultant, partner, or in any other capacity, with any entity
           engaged in the business of manufacturing, marketing and/or selling
           Competitive Products or Services if that entity is directly or
           indirectly owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by any former
           employee of the Company whose employment with the Company terminated
           at any time during: (i) the six months preceding the Executive
           separation of employment with the Company; or (ii) the twelve months
           following the Executive separation of employment with the Company;

           For purposes of this provision, Competitive Products or Services
           means any product or service that is being designed, developed,
           manufactured, marketed or sold by anyone other than the Company and
           is of the same general type, performs similar functions or is used
           for the same purposes as, and, in each case, is directly or
           indirectly competitive with, a product or service of the Company
           and/or its parent corporation

     (c)   directly or indirectly, individually or in collaboration with others
           solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any of the Company's employees
           to leave their employment, or take away such employees, or attempt to
           solicit, induce, recruit, encourage or take away employees of the
           Company, either for the Executive or any other person or entity;

     (d)   divert or attempt to divert from the Company any business the Company
           had enjoyed or solicited from its customers or potential customers
           during the eighteen (18) months prior to the termination of
           employment.

     (e)   If any of the provisions in this Section 9 are overbroad and legally
           unenforceable as written, the parties agree that such provisions
           shall be narrowed and construed in a manner to render them
           enforceable to the maximum extent possible under applicable

                                       12

<PAGE>

           law. If any of the provisions in this Section 9 are deemed legally
           void, the remaining provisions will nevertheless continue in full
           force and effect.

     (f)   The Executive hereby acknowledges that the provisions of this Section
           9 are fair and reasonably necessary in order to protect the goodwill
           and business interest of the Company, which business interest and
           goodwill has been developed over many years at a substantial cost and
           expense to the Company, and that the terms and conditions hereof are
           not unreasonable as to time, limitation, or purpose. The Executive
           also acknowledges that the provisions of this Section 9 will not
           prevent him from engaging in a wide range of activities for the
           purpose of earning a living.

     (g)   In the event that the Executive shall violate the provisions of this
           Section 9, the Company shall have the legal right to seek an
           injunction, or other equitable relief, compelling the Executive to
           comply with the terms of this Section 9. In addition, the Company may
           seek any and all other legal remedies or relief permitted by law,
           including compensatory damages resulting from any breach.

10)  Confidential Information.

      (a)  The Executive agrees at all times during the term of his employment
           and thereafter, to hold in strictest confidence, and not to use or
           disclose, except for the benefit of the Company, to any person, firm
           or corporation without written authorization of the Chief Executive
           Officer of the Company, any Confidential Information of the Company.
           The Executive understands that "Confidential Information" means any
           Company proprietary information, technical data, trade secrets or
           know-how, including, but not limited to, research and research plans,
           product plans, products, services, customer lists and customers
           (including, but not limited to, customers of the Company on whom the
           Executive called or with whom the Executive became acquainted during
           the term of his employment), markets, software, means of accessing
           the company's computer systems or networks, developments, inventions,
           processes, formulas, technology, designs, drawings, engineering data,
           hardware configuration information, marketing, financial or other
           business information obtained by me either directly or indirectly in
           writing, orally or by observation. The Executive further understands
           that Confidential Information does not include any of the foregoing
           items which has become publicly known and made generally available
           through no wrongful act of the Executive or of others who were under
           confidentiality obligations as to the item or items involved or
           improvements or new versions thereof.

     (b)   The Executive agrees that he will not, during his employment with the
           Company, improperly use or disclose any proprietary information or
           trade secrets of any former or concurrent employer or other person or
           entity and that he will not bring onto the premises of the Company
           any unpublished document or proprietary information belonging to any
           such employer, person or entity unless consented to in writing by
           such employer, person or entity.

                                       13

<PAGE>

     (c)   The Executive recognizes that the Company has received and in the
           future will receive from third parties their confidential or
           proprietary information subject to a duty on the Company's part to
           maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only
           for certain limited purposes. The Executive agrees to hold all such
           confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence
           and not to disclose it to any person, firm or corporation or to use
           it except as necessary in carrying out the Executive's work for the
           Company consistent with the Company's agreement with such third
           party.

11)   Indemnification. The Executive shall be entitled to indemnification from
      the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the Company's Articles of
      Organization, By-laws, shareholder resolutions and/or applicable law.

12)   Entire Agreement; Conflicts. This Agreement, the Nondisclosure Agreement,
      any stock option agreement between the Executive and the Company, and all
      promissory notes between the Executive and the Company, contain the entire
      agreement between the Company and the Executive concerning the Executive's
      employment by the Company and supersedes all prior agreements,
      understandings, discussions, negotiations and undertakings, whether
      written or oral, between them with respect to the subject matter herein,
      provided, however, that to the extent there is a conflict between the
      terms of this Agreement and the Nondisclosure Agreement or the terms of
      any stock option agreement or stock option plan, the terms of this
      Agreement shall govern. The Executive and the Company (except as may be
      required in the course of the Company doing business) agree to keep the
      terms of this Agreement strictly confidential. The Executive represents
      that he is not bound by any agreement or any other existing or previous
      business relationship that conflicts with, or may conflict with, the
      performance of his obligations hereunder or prevent the full performance
      of his duties and obligations hereunder.

13)   Amendments or Waiver. This Agreement cannot be changed, modified or
      amended without the consent in writing of both the Executive and the
      Company's BOD, with the written consent of the Digi Compensation
      Committee. No waiver by either the Company or the Executive at any time of
      any breach by the other party of any condition or provision of this
      Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of a similar or dissimilar condition or
      provision at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. Any waiver must
      be in writing and signed by the Executive, an authorized officer of the
      Company (other than the Executive), and the Company's BOD, with the
      written consent of the Digi Compensation Committee.

14)   Severability. In the event that any provision or portion of this
      Agreement, the Nondisclosure Agreement or the other agreements executed in
      connection with the transactions contemplated hereby for any reason shall
      be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, in whole or
      in part, such provisions will be reformed to the extent possible so as to
      effectuate the intent of this Agreement. In addition, the remaining
      provisions of this Agreement or such other agreements shall be unaffected
      thereby and shall be construed, reformed and thus remain in full force and
      effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

15)   Survival. The Executive agrees that Sections 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
      13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, any agreements between the Executive and
      the Company referenced herein, and

                                       14

<PAGE>

      such other provisions to the extent necessary to the intended preservation
      of such rights and obligations, shall survive any termination of this
      Agreement.

16)   Governing Law and Jurisdiction; Arbitration. This Agreement shall be
      governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of
      the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without reference to principles of
      conflict of laws. Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or in
      connection with this Agreement shall be exclusively subject to arbitration
      before the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") in Boston,
      Massachusetts, before a single arbitrator in accordance with the AAA's
      then current Employment Arbitration Rules. Judgment upon any arbitration
      award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. All parties
      shall cooperate in the process of arbitration for the purpose of
      expediting discovery and completing the arbitration proceedings. Nothing
      contained in this Section or elsewhere in this Agreement shall in any way
      deprive either party of its right to obtain injunctive or other equitable
      relief in a court of competent jurisdiction.

17)   Notices; Miscellaneous.

      (a)  Any notice given to either party shall be in writing and shall be
           deemed to have been given when delivered personally or sent by
           certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt
           requested, duly addressed to the party concerned, as follows:

           If to the Company, to:

           **[_______]
           **[_______]
           **[_______]
           Attention:  Chief Executive Officer

           with a copy to:

           Faegre & Benson LLP
           2200 Wells Fargo Center
           90 South Seventh Street
           Minneapolis, MN 55402-3901
           Attention:  James E. Nicholson

           If to the Executive, to:

           c/o Taylor, Ganson & Perrin, LLP
           160 Federal Street
           Boston, MA 02110
           Attention:  Charles F. O'Connell

      (b)  The headings of the Sections contained in this Agreement are for
           convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the
           meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

                                       15

<PAGE>

      (c)  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts.

      (d)  The Company shall make such deductions and withhold such amounts from
           the payments and benefits made or provided to the Executive
           hereunder, as may be required from time to time by applicable law,
           governmental regulation or order.

 18)  Assignment; Successors. The Company may assign this Agreement. This
      Agreement is personal in its nature and therefore the Executive cannot
      assign this Agreement without the consent of the Company's BOD. This
      Agreement will inure to the benefit of the Company's or the Executive's
      successors and assigns, and such successor or assign shall discharge and
      perform all the promises, covenants, duties and obligations of the Company
      hereunder, and all references herein to "Company" shall refer to such
      successor.

19)   Withholding.

      (a)  Any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement
           (including without limitation the acceleration of options pursuant to
           this Agreement) shall be subject to all applicable federal, state and
           local taxes and/or withholding.

      (b)  If the Company in its discretion determines that it is obligated to
           withhold any tax in connection with any payment under this Agreement,
           or in connection with the acceleration of any option pursuant to this
           Agreement, the Executive hereby agrees that the Company may withhold
           from any amounts paid, or to be paid, under this Agreement, including
           the Executive's wages or other remuneration, the appropriate amount
           of such tax (as permitted under applicable law). The Executive
           further agrees that, if the Company does not withhold an amount from
           the Executive's wages or other remuneration (including any
           remuneration paid pursuant to this Agreement) sufficient to satisfy
           the withholding obligation of the Company, the Executive will make
           reimbursement on demand, in cash, for the amount underwithheld.

                                    * * * * *

                           [Signature page to follow.]

                                       16
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Second
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement as of the date first above written as
an instrument under seal.

                                   NETSILICON, INC.

                                   By: /s/ Daniel J. Sullivan
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                   Its: Chief Financial Officer
                                        ----------------------------------------

                                   EMPLOYEE

                                   /s/ Cornelius Peterson
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                   Cornelius Peterson, VIII

The undersigned hereby consents to the terms of this Second Amended and Restated
Employment Agreement.

DIGI INTERNATIONAL INC.

By: /s/ Subramanian Krishnan
    -------------------------------------------------
Its: Chief Financial Officer
     ------------------------------------------------

                                       17

<PAGE>

                                    Exhibit A
                                       To
                Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement
                                     Between
                  NetSilicon, Inc. and Cornelius Peterson, VIII

  Stock Option Agreements between NetSilicon, Inc. and Cornelius Peterson, VIII

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Grant ID                                 Agreement Date                         Expiration Date
--------                                 --------------                         ---------------
<S>                                     <C>                                    <C>

0078                                     September 15, 1999                     September 15, 2009

0079                                     September 15, 1999                     September 15, 2009

0320                                     May 11, 2000                           May 11, 2010

0321                                     May 11, 2000                           May 11, 2010

0524                                     December 11, 2000                      December 11, 2010

0601                                     July 10, 2001                          July 10, 2011

</TABLE>

                                       18NuVox Inc. Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q

Exhibit 10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

            
This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into on the 11th day of April,
2002, by and between NuVox, Inc. and Gabriel Communications Properties, Inc., Delaware corporations (the
“Company”), and David L. Solomon (“Executive”).

            WHEREAS, Executive desires to be employed by the Company, and the Company desires to employ
Executive, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the compensation and other benefits of Executive's
employment by the Company and the recitals, mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, Executive and
the Company agree as follows:

            
1.        Employment Services.

               
        (a)        
Executive is hereby employed by the Company, and Executive hereby accepts such
employment, upon the terms
and conditions hereinafter set forth. During the Employment Period (as defined
below), Executive shall serve as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”),
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and a
member of the Executive Committee of the Board. Executive shall report solely
and directly to the Board. 

               
        (b)        
Executive agrees that, throughout the Employment Period, Executive shall have
such authorities, duties
and responsibilities as are customarily assigned to the Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer of an enterprise like the Company. Such duties,
responsibilities, and authorities shall include, without limitation, but subject
to the authority and directions of the Board, responsibility for the management,
operation, strategic direction and overall conduct of the business of the
Company. The Executive shall be assigned no duties or responsibilities that are
materially inconsistent with, or that materially impair his ability to
discharge, the foregoing duties and responsibilities. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall devote substantially his full business time and best
efforts to the business of the Company. All employees of the Company shall
report directly or indirectly to the Executive. The Executive may (i) with the
consent of the Board (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), serve as
a director or trustee of other for profit corporations or businesses which are
not in substantial competition with the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any
entity in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has a greater than forty
percent (40%) interest (the “Company’s Business”), (ii) continue
to serve as an investment director and member of the general partner of Meritage
Private Equity Fund (“Meritage”), and to receive compensation
therefrom, and serve on the boards of directors of Meritage portfolio companies
(including, without limitation, the Company), provided that such portfolio
companies are not in substantial competition with the Company’s Business,
(iii) serve on civic or charitable boards or committees, and (iv) manage
personal investments; provided, however, that the Executive may not engage in
any of the activities described in this Section 1(b) to the extent such
activities materially interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties
and responsibilities to the Company. 

               
        (c)        
Except as provided in Section 1 (b) of this Agreement, Executive shall not,
during the Employment
Period, become or serve as a director, officer, employee or member of any entity
conducting, nor become an owner of any substantial interest in any entity
conducting, a business in substantial competition with the Company’s
Business. 

            
2.        Term of Employment.  The term of this Employment Agreement (the "Employment Period")
shall be the period from the date hereof to and including October 31, 2004 (the "Initial Period"), and shall
thereafter continue from year to year (each an "Annual Extension"), unless sooner terminated as provided in the
second sentence of this Section 2 or in Section 4 hereof.  Unless sooner terminated as provided in Section 4
hereof, the Employment Period may be terminated by either the Company or Executive, at the end of the Initial
Period or an Annual Extension, if a written notice of nonrenewal is delivered to the other party at least six (6)
months prior to the end of such Initial Period or Annual Extension, as the case may be.

            
3.        Compensation and Benefits.

               
        (a)        
Annual Base
Salary. During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay Executive as
compensation for his services an annual base salary in an amount determined by
the Compensation Committee of the Board. Such annual base salary shall be at the
annual rate of not less than Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000) through
December 31, 2002 and Four Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($475,000) from
January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003. Executive’s annual base salary
rate shall be reviewed at least annually for increase in the discretion of the
Compensation Committee; Executive’s annual base salary rate shall not be
subject to decrease at any time during the Employment Period other than as a
result of across the board adjustments affecting all of the Company’s most
senior executives proportionately. Executive’s base salary shall be payable
in accordance with the Company’s usual practices. 

               
        (b)        
Annual Bonus.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible for
an annual bonus under a
bonus program to be established by the Compensation Committee of the Board and
approved by the Board. Under the bonus program, Executive’s annual bonus
will be tied to performance criteria and Executive will be eligible for a bonus
of up to one hundred percent (100%) of his annual base salary. Executive’s
annual bonus shall be paid, at Executive’s option, exercisable at or prior
to the time of such bonus award, in cash and/or shares of Series F Preferred
stock of the Company at a price per share equal to the exercise price per share
established by the Board or Compensation Committee with respect to the most
recent grant of stock options at fair market value by the Company, immediately
preceding the bonus determination, pursuant to the NuVox, Inc. 2001 Stock
Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Stock Plan”), or, if not then in
effect, any successor plan of a similar nature. 

2

               
        (c)        
Benefits.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall also (i) be eligible
to participate in all
benefit programs from time to time maintained by the Company for the benefit of
its most senior executives including without limitation, its group medical,
dental and term life insurance coverages, 401 (k) Plan, the Stock Plan and the
NuVox, Inc. 2001 Performance Plan (“Performance Plan”), in each case
on and subject to the terms and conditions of each of such programs as such
programs apply to the Company’s most senior executives, (ii) be entitled to
four (4) weeks of paid vacation per year, (iii) be entitled to utilize a
furnished corporate apartment for the convenience of the Company and a Company
owned or leased automobile in St. Louis, Missouri for so long as the
Company’s corporate headquarters remain in St. Louis, Missouri and its
environs, (iv) be reimbursed by the Company for customary business and travel
expenses, including travel between St. Louis, Missouri and Nashville, Tennessee,
and (v) be required to maintain an office and such limited staff in Nashville,
Tennessee as is deemed necessary by Executive and approved by the Executive
Committee of the Board. In order to defray commercial airline costs and enhance
Executive’s amount of time to perform services, at Executive’s
request, the Company shall make available to Executive, at the Company’s
cost, a private commercial aircraft for Executive to utilize for business travel
between St. Louis, Missouri and Nashville, Tennessee and for such other purposes
as the Executive may deem reasonably necessary in connection with the
performance of his services hereunder. Executive’s benefits shall include
the following which have been awarded as of October 16, 2001, and in connection
with Executive’s execution of this Agreement: 

            2001 Performance Plan: Participation Grant - 24.25%

            2001 Stock Incentive Plan: Series F-1 Options - 2,000,000 shares @ $0.59 per share.

            
4.        Termination of Employment.  Prior to the expiration of the Employment Period, this
Agreement and Executive's employment may be terminated as follows:

               
        (a)        
Automatically upon Executive's death.

               
        (b)        
By the Company, upon thirty (30) day's prior written notice to Executive, in
the event the Board
believes that Executive, by reason of physical or mental illness, is unable to
perform a material portion of the services required of Executive hereunder for a
continuous one-hundred thirty-five (135) day period; in the event of a
disagreement concerning the existence of any such disability (in which event any
such termination shall not become effective until such disagreement shall have
been resolved), the matter shall be resolved by a disinterested licensed
physician chosen by the Company (such physician to be located within 50 miles of
Executive’s principal residence) and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to
the Executive or his legal representative. 

               
        (c)        
By the Company, for "Good Cause."  "Good Cause" shall mean:

	 	        
               
(1)     
The willful and continued failure of Executive to substantially perform
material duties assigned to Executive by the Board in accordance with Section
1(b) hereof (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to
physical or mental illness);

	 	        
               
(2)     
A material breach of Section 1(c) of this Agreement by Executive; or

	 	        
               
(3)     
Executive's commission of fraud or willful conduct which
         significantly harms the Company or its subsidiaries or which significantly impairs Executive's ability
         to perform his duties.

3

	 	
For
purposes of this definition, no act, or failure to act, shall be deemed
“willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in
good faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the
best interest of the Company.

	 	
Unless
the Executive has been convicted of a felony, no termination for Good Cause
shall take effect unless the following provisions of this paragraph shall have
been complied with. The Board shall give the Executive written notice of its
intention to terminate him for Good Cause, such notice (i) to state in detail
the particular circumstances that constitute the grounds on which the proposed
termination for Good Cause is based and (ii) to be given within four months of
the Board learning of such circumstances. The Executive shall have twenty days,
after receiving such special notice, to cure such grounds, to the extent such
cure is possible. If he fails to cure such grounds to the Board’s
satisfaction, the Executive shall then be entitled to a hearing by the Board,
during which he may, at his election, be represented by counsel. Such hearing
shall be held within thirty days of his receiving such special notice, provided
he requests a hearing within fifteen days of receiving the notice. If the Board
gives written notice to the Executive within five days following such hearing
confirming that, in the good faith judgment of a majority of the Board, Good
Cause for terminating him on the basis set forth in the original notice exists,
he shall thereupon be terminated for Good Cause.

               
        (d)        
By the Company, without Good Cause, upon seven (7) days prior written notice
to Executive. A termination
without Good Cause shall be deemed to exist upon any termination of Executive by
the Company other than as set forth in Sections 4(a), (b), (c) or (f) or upon
delivery by the Company of a notice of non-extension pursuant to Section 2. 

               
        (e)        
By Executive, following his determination that "Good Reason" for termination
exists.  "Good Reason" shall be deemed to exist if:

	 	        
               
(1)     
Executive's titles, duties, authorities or responsibilities are
materially
reduced or modified without Executive’s consent, in his sole discretion,
from those specified herein or the stockholders of the Company fail to elect or
re-elect Executive as a director or if Executive is removed as a director;

	 	        
               
(2)     
A decision is made that Executive no longer report solely and
         directly to the Board;

	 	        
               
(3)     
A change in the location of the Company's executive offices to a
         location that is greater than 400 miles from Nashville, Tennessee; or

	 	        
               
(4)     
A failure of the Company to comply with any other material
obligation
of the Company under this Agreement; provided, however, no such failure shall
constitute Good Reason (A) unless the Company receives written notice from
Executive of such failure, which notice shall specify in reasonable detail the
nature of such failure, the action required to cure same and Executive’s
desire to exercise Executive’s rights under this Section 4 (e), no later
than sixty (60) days after the earlier of the day Executive actually became
aware of or reasonably should have actually become aware of such failure, and
(B) unless and until the Company fails to cure the same within thirty (30) days
after the Company’s receipt of Executive’s written notice and
provided, further, that if the nature of such failure is such that it cannot be
cured within such thirty (30) day period, the Company shall have such additional
time as may be reasonably necessary (up to a maximum of sixty (60) days after
receipt of Executive’s written notice) to cure such failure so long as the
Company commences to cure such failure promptly after receipt of
Executive’s written notice and diligently pursues the cure of such failure
through completion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be
obligated to give the Company an opportunity to cure any failure more than two
(2) times during any period of three hundred sixty-five (365) consecutive days.

4

               
        (f)        
By the Company following a Change of Control (as defined in the Stock Plan).

               
        (g)        
By Executive, upon ninety (90) days prior written notice to the Company, forserious personal reasons
that Executive believes makes it inadvisable for him to continue to perform his
services hereunder. 

            
5.        Effect of Termination of Employment.  Upon termination of Executive's employment and
this Agreement, the rights and obligations of the parties pursuant to Sections 7 through 14 and Section 16 shall
be unaffected, but all other rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall cease, except:

               
        (a)        
If this Agreement is
terminated pursuant to Section 4(a) or (b), Executive (or his estate) shall
receive his base salary and benefits (as applicable) accrued through the end of
the calendar year in which such termination occurs and his annual base salary
and benefits (as applicable) for a period of eighteen (18) calendar months
thereafter (according to the same payroll practices that are in effect at the
time of termination). In addition, Executive (or his estate) shall receive a
lump sum payment, within ten days of any such termination, equal to the maximum
bonus for which Executive was eligible in the year in which such termination
occurs, plus payment for his accrued but untaken vacation for the portion of the
year in which such termination occurs. Notwithstanding the terms of the Stock
Plan and the Performance Plan and any Options and Participation Grants awarded
to Executive thereunder, all such Options and Participation Grants outstanding
immediately prior to such termination shall immediately become exercisable and
fully vested. 

               
        (b)        
If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 4(c) or 4(g), Executive
shall receive his base
salary and benefits (including his vested Options and Participation Grants under
the Stock Plan and the Performance Plan) accrued through the date of such
termination of employment. Any unvested Options and Participation Grants under
the terms of the Stock Plan and the Performance Plan shall be forfeited. 

               
        (c)        
If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 4 (d), Executive shall
receive (i) his base salary
and benefits (as applicable) accrued through the end of the calendar month in
which such termination occurs, (ii) his base salary for a period of twenty-four
(24) calendar months thereafter (according to the same payroll practices that
are in effect at the time of termination), and (iii) his benefits (as
applicable) for the remainder of the Initial Period or for a period of twelve
(12) months, whichever is shorter, or for the remainder of the applicable Annual
Extension, as the case may be. In addition, Executive shall receive a lump sum
payment for his accrued but untaken vacation for the portion of the year in
which such termination occurs. Notwithstanding the terms of the Stock Plan and
the Performance Plan and any Options and Participation Grants awarded to
Executive thereunder, all such Options and Participation Grants outstanding
immediately prior to such termination shall immediately become exercisable and
fully vested. 

5

               
        (d)        
If this Agreement is
terminated pursuant to Section 4(e), Executive shall receive his base salary and
benefits (as applicable) for a period of twelve (12) calendar months after the
date of such termination (according to the same payroll practices that are in
effect at the time of termination). Any unvested Options and Participation
Grants under the terms of the Stock Plan and the Performance Plan shall be
forfeited, except that, if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 4(e)
within one (1) year following a Change of Control, all unvested Options and
Participation Grants under the terms of the Stock Plan and the Performance Plan
outstanding immediately prior to such termination shall immediately become
exercisable and fully vested. 

               
        (e)        
If this Agreement is
terminated pursuant to Section 4(f), Executive shall receive his base salary for
the remainder of the calendar year in which such termination occurs and benefits
(as applicable) for the remainder of the Initial Period or the applicable Annual
Extension, as the case may be. In addition, Executive shall receive a lump sum
payment equal to three times his then current annual base salary, plus three
times the maximum bonus for which Executive was eligible in the year in which
such termination occurs. Notwithstanding the terms of the Stock Plan and the
Performance Plan and any Options and Participation Grants awarded to Executive
thereunder, all such Options and Participation Grants outstanding thereunder
immediately prior to such termination shall immediately become exercisable and
fully vested. 

               
        (f)        
All shares of stock, options and warrants held by Executive at the time of
termination shall remain subject to the terms of the Stock Plan and the agreements pursuant to which they were
issued.

               
        (g)        
If Executive accepts alternative employment at any time during which payments
are being made and/or
benefits are being provided to Executive under Section 5(c) or 5(d), the Company
may (i) offset the amount of base salary paid to Executive by his new employer
against the amounts of base salary otherwise payable thereunder from and after
the effective date of such alternative employment and (ii) if Executive’s
new employer provides group medical, dental and/or life insurance coverages, the
Company’s obligation to provide such coverages hereunder shall cease upon
the effectiveness of his new coverages; provided, however, that the foregoing
provisions of this Section 5 (g) shall not apply to compensation received by
Executive as a result of activities engaged in by Executive in accordance with
the provisions of the final sentence of Section 1 (b). 

            
6.        Provisions Relating to Taxation of Payments.

               
        (a)        
Gross-up Payment. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
in the event it shall be
determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit
of Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise would be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax,
together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then Executive shall be entitled to
receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such
that after payment by Executive of all taxes (including any interest or
penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any Excise Tax, imposed
upon the Gross-Up Payment, Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment
equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon such payment or distribution. 

6

               
        (b)        
Determination of Gross-Up.  Subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) of this
Section 6, all
determinations required to be made under this Section 6, including whether
a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, shall be
made by an accounting firm satisfactory to the Company and Executive
(“Accounting Firm”). The Accounting Firm shall make such determination
and provide detailed supporting calculations to both the Company and Executive
within fifteen (15) business days after it is requested to do so. The initial
Gross-Up Payment, if any, as determined pursuant to this paragraph (b) of this
Section 6, shall be paid to Executive within five (5) business days after
the Company’s receipt of the Accounting Firm’s determination. If the
Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it
shall furnish the Executive with a written opinion that he has legal authority
satisfying the criteria set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.6661-3 or
similar successor provisions not to report any Excise Tax on his federal income
tax return. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the
Company and Executive. 

               
        (c)        
Dispute of Tax Claim.  Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any
proposed assessment or
proposed adjustment by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) pursuant
to an audit of Executive’s federal income tax return or otherwise, that, if
successful, would require the payment by the Company of a Gross-Up Payment
(hereinafter referred to as a “Claim”). Such notice shall be given as
soon as practicable but no later than ten (10) business days after the earlier
of (i) the receipt by Executive of a written notice of proposed adjustment from
the IRS or (ii) the receipt by Executive of a statutory notice of deficiency.
Such notice by Executive to the Company shall include (i) notice of the amount
of the proposed assessment or proposed adjustment which relates to the Claim and
the taxable year or years in which the Claim arises, (ii) the general nature of
the Claim and (iii) all relevant written reports of the examining agent relating
to the Claim. Within thirty (30) days of (i) the receipt by Executive of a final
assessment or (ii) the execution by Executive and the IRS of a closing
agreement, with respect to any tax year of Executive in which a Claim has been
raised, pursuant to which Executive is required to pay any amount with respect
to the Claim, Executive shall provide the Company and the Accounting Firm with a
copy of such assessment or agreement, together with supporting documents
sufficient to determine the amount of such tax liability that was attributable
to the Claim. The Accounting Firm shall determine the amount Gross-Up Payment
under this Agreement due to such tax liability and the Company will make such
Gross-Up Payment to Executive within five (5) business days after its receipt of
such determination. 

            
7.        Withholding.  All compensation paid to Executive shall be subject to customary
withholding taxes and other employment taxes as required with respect thereto.

            
8.        Non-Waiver of Rights.  The failure of either party to enforce at any time any of the
provisions of this Agreement or to require at any time performance by the other party of any of the provisions
hereof shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of such provisions or to affect either the validity of this
Agreement, or any part hereof, or the right of either party thereafter to enforce each and every provision in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

7

            
9.        Severability and Interpretation.  In the event of a conflict between the terms of this
Agreement and any of the definitions or provisions in the Stock Plan and the Performance Plan, the terms of this
Agreement shall prevail.  Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement and any portion hereof shall be
interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, rules and regulations.  If any
covenant or other provision of this Agreement (or portion thereof) shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or
incapable of being enforced, by reason of any rule of law, rule, regulation, administrative order, judicial
decision or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall, nevertheless, remain in
full force and effect, and no covenant or provision shall be deemed dependent upon any other covenant or
provision (or portion) unless so expressed herein.  The parties hereto desire and consent that the court or other
body making such determination shall, to the extent necessary to avoid any unenforceability, so reform such
covenant or other provision or portions of this Agreement to the minimum extent necessary so as to render the
same enforceable in accordance with the intent herein expressed.

            
10.        Entire Agreement.  This Agreement represents the entire and integrated Employment
Agreement between Executive and the Company and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations and
agreements, either written or oral, with respect thereto.

            
11.        Notice.  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be given by hand delivery to the other party, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, or by overnight courier, addressed as set forth in this Section 11 or to such other address as may
hereafter be notified by such party to the other party.  Notices and communications shall be effective at the
time they are given in the foregoing manner (provided that notice by mail shall be deemed given three business
days after posting).

	  	If to Executive:

David L. Solomon

4333 Chickering Lane

Nashville, TN  37215 

	  	with a copy to:

Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP

399 Park Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, New York 10022

Attn:  Daniel G. Bergstein, Esq. 

	  	If to the Company:

NuVox, Inc.

16090 Swingley Ridge Road, Suite 500

Chesterfield, MO  63017

Attn:  Secretary 

8

            
12.        Amendments and Waivers.  No modification, amendment or waiver of any of the provisions
of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing specifically referring hereto, and signed by the parties
hereto.

            
13.        Assignments.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the
Company, its successors and assigns and/or any other entity which shall succeed to the business presently being
conducted by the Company.  Being a contract for personal services, neither this Agreement nor any rights
hereunder shall be assigned by Executive.

            
14.        Choice of Forum and Governing Law.  The parties agree that:  (i) any litigation
involving any noncompliance with or breach of this Agreement, or regarding the interpretation, validity and/or
enforceability of this Agreement, shall be filed and conducted in the state or federal courts in St. Louis
County, Missouri; and (ii) this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with and governed by the laws of the
State of Missouri, without regard for any conflict of law principles.

            
15.        Headings.  Section headings are provided in this Agreement for convenience only and
shall not be deemed to substantively alter the content of such sections.

            
16.        Indemnification.  To the fullest extent permitted by the indemnification provisions of
the Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws of the Company in effect as of the date of this Agreement and the
indemnification provisions of the corporation statute of the jurisdiction of the Company's incorporation in
effect from time to time (collectively, the "Indemnification Provisions"), and in each case subject to the
conditions thereof, the Company shall (i) indemnify the Executive, as a director and officer of the Company or a
subsidiary of the Company or a trustee or fiduciary of an employee benefit plan of the Company or a subsidiary of
the Company, or, if the Executive shall be serving in such capacity at the Company's written request, as a
director or officer of any other corporation (other than a subsidiary of the Company) or as a trustee or
fiduciary of an employee benefit plan not sponsored by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, against all
liabilities and reasonable expenses that may be incurred by the Executive in any threatened, pending, or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether
formal or informal, because the Executive is or was a director or officer of the Company, a director or officer
of such other corporation or a trustee or fiduciary of such employee benefit plan, and against which the
Executive may be indemnified by the Company, and (ii) pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by
the Executive in the defense of any proceeding to which the Executive is a party because the Executive is or was
a director or officer of the Company, a director or officer of such other corporation or a trustee or fiduciary
of such employee benefit plan.  The rights of the Executive under the Indemnification Provisions shall survive
the termination of the employment of the Executive by the Company.

            
17.        Legal Fees.  The Company shall reimburse Executive for the reasonable fees and
out-of-pocket disbursements of his counsel incurred in connection with the negotiation and execution of this
Agreement.

9

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day
and year first above written.

	  	S/ David L. Solomon 
	  	David L. Solomon 

	  	NuVox, Inc. and

                                                     Gabriel Communications Properties, Inc. 

	  	 By: S/ John P. Denneen 

	  	Name:  John P. Denneen

                                                     Title:   Executive Vice President

10

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