EXHIBIT 5.1


                [PARKER CHAPIN FLATTAU & KLIMPL, LLP LETTERHEAD]






                                        April 19, 1999



Ion Networks, Inc.
21 Meridian Road
Edison, New Jersey 08820

                  RE:      ION NETWORKS, INC.

Gentlemen:

                  We have acted as counsel to Ion Networks, Inc. (the "Company")
in connection with its Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement") to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to
the offering of up to 3,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.001 per
share (the "Common Stock"), to employees and directors of, and consultants to,
the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company upon the exercise of
options which have been, or may from time to time be, granted by the Company
under the Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), and such additional
indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may be issued under the
anti-dilution provisions of the Plan.

                  In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined
the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, the By-laws of the
Company and minutes of the corporate proceedings of the Company relating to the
Plan. In addition, we have examined and relied upon such other matters of law,
certificates and examinations of public officials as we have deemed relevant to
the rendering of this opinion. We have not examined each option contract in
respect of options granted under the Plan. We have, however, examined the form
of option contract which the Company has advised us is the form of option
contract used by it under the Plan. We have also been informed by the Company
that each option contract between the Company and option holders under the Plan
is substantially in the form of the option contract we have examined. In all of
our examinations, we have assumed the accuracy of all information furnished to
us, the genuineness of all documents, the conformity to originals of all
documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, facsimile or photostatic
copies thereof, as well as the genuineness of all signatures on all such
documents.

                  Where reference is made in this opinion to matters within our
knowledge, or to facts and circumstances known to us, such reference means the
actual knowledge of those attorneys within the firm who have given substantive
attention to the foregoing agreements and instruments, without, however,
independent investigation of any matter except as otherwise expressly noted
therein.





                  Our opinion is limited to the date hereof and we do not in any
event undertake to advise you of any facts or circumstances occurring or coming
to our attention subsequent to the date hereof.

                  Finally, we are counsel admitted to practice only in the State
of New York, and we express no opinions as to the applicable laws of any
jurisdiction other than those of the State of New York and the United States of
America.

                  Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion
that the shares of the Company's Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the
exercise of options granted or to be granted under the Plan will be, when issued
pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, validly issued, fully-paid and
non-assessable.

                  We consent to the filing of a copy of this opinion as an
exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement with respect to the Plan.

                                              Very truly yours,



                                      /S/ PARKER CHAPIN FLATTAU & KLIMPL, LLP