Acacia unveils industry's first Web-based graphical LAN switch management application; NovaWeb application extends the reach of switch management across the globe.

LOWELL, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 1996-- Acacia Networks brought LAN switching management to the Internet today with the release of NovaWeb, the first advanced graphical management application that lets users tune and troubleshoot switches from anywhere in the world using standard Web browsers.

NovaWeb employs a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays fully interactive images of NovaSwitches featuring easy to use point-and-click functions and pull-down menus for fast, intuitive network management. No other Web-based switch manager currently on the market offers such a visually sophisticated means of optimizing network performance.

"Acacia is pioneering the movement to Web-based LAN management," said John McConnell, president of McConnell Consulting, Inc. "NovaWeb combines the utility of SNMP-based management tools with the freedom afforded by platform and location independence. NovaWeb's sophisticated graphical user interface gives customers the ability to intuitively manage their LAN from any PC with a web browser."

NovaWeb defined

NovaWeb is a Web-based switch management application embedded into each NovaSwitch. It requires no additional software to be purchased, installed or supported, resulting in overall costs that are only a fraction of traditional network management systems.

NovaWeb provides instant access to all monitoring and management capabilities embedded in the NovaSwitch, including RMON statistics, and allows configuration and tuning of all switch parameters. By simply entering an IP address or a Web URL into any Web browser, managers can use NovaWeb to locally or remotely analyze and optimize LAN (local area network) performance.

NovaWeb's key features include:

-- Photographic quality views of front and rear of product with numerous "hot spots" for point-and-click interaction; -- Real-time display of system, port and link state statistics; -- Configuration of all switch parameters, including IP, SNMP, filters, thresholds, and security; -- User selectable refresh rates and default views; -- Bandwidth utilization per port via real-time bar graph displays; -- Top N Host-like displays for bandwidth utilization, collisions, errors, etc.; -- Hot links to Acacia's corporate technical and customer support.

"A customer's switching needs do not end with the switch itself. They also need functions that enable them to get the best possible performance out of their networks by easily shifting loads, setting parameters, tuning the network - any management task," said Jeff Low, Acacia's vice president of marketing. "NovaWeb answers those demands with location and platform independent management at a reasonable price."

Pricing and availability

NovaWeb is available immediately for $295 per switch.

About Acacia Networks

Acacia Networks was founded in January 1995 to apply a powerful new generation of programmable silicon, transplanted from high-volume consumer applications, to the LAN switching market. Acacia's NovaSwitches offer breakthrough price/performance to networking customers. The privately held company is headquartered in Lowell, Mass., and has 50 engineers and scientists developing high-speed LAN products and technology. For more information see Acacia's Web site at http://www.acacianet.com. -0-

Acacia Networks, NovaSwitch, NovaLink, StackPlane, NovaView, NovaWeb, mini-NOC, SNaP ASIC, fast-adaptive switching and Megabits to Gigabits are trademarks of Acacia Networks Inc. Other products and company names are trademarks of their respective holders.

CONTACT: Alan Raderman

Acacia Networks

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Glen Zimmerman

Beaupre & Co. Public Relations 

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