Accton's new eight-port switch links 10BASE-T workgroups to Fast Ethernet.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 1997--As part of its ongoing commitment to help its customers migrate to the rapidly growing Fast Ethernet platform, Accton Technology Corporation today introduced a new SwitcHub eight-port switch that intermixes five 10BASE-T ports, one 10/100BASE-T port, and a 100BASE-T connector to deliver an aggregate data throughput of 260 Mbps.

The SwitcHub-8se (ES2008) is the ideal solution to connect installed workgroups to Fast Ethernet backbones or to interconnect 100 Mbps twisted-pair and fiber-optic backbones.

The SwitcHub-8se offers a diverse mix of connectivity options making it the most versatile 10/100BASE-T switch in Accton's product line. The device includes five RJ-45 10 Mbps ports; one 10 Mbps dual port with RJ-45, AUI, and BNC connectors (auto-detecting); one 10/100 Mbps RJ-45 port (self-sensing); and one 100 Mbps fiber port.

The SwitcHub-8se comes in two models with two 100BASE-FX fiber connection options, an SC-type port (ES2008-TF-SC) and an ST-type port (ES2008-TF-ST). When fully populated, the SwitcHub-8se can deliver up to 260 Mbps throughput for less than $250 per port. And since there are two Fast Ethernet ports, it also can be used to interconnect two different Fast Ethernet segments or as a front end for a Fast Ethernet server.

"We designed the SwitcHub-8se to give our customers maximum versatility as they plan their migration strategy to Fast Ethernet," said Al Gounod, General Manager of Accton Technology Corporation. "With this unique mix of 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T connectors, network architects can use the SwitcHub-8se in a variety of ways, such as bringing their 10BASE-T users into a 100BASE-T environment, interconnecting twisted-pair and fiber Fast Ethernet segments, or for a variety of other uses. It's the ideal way to extend throughput for overburdened legacy 10BASE-T workgroups, and to protect your hardware investment as you migrate toward Fast Ethernet."

Each connector in the SwitcHub-8se supports a dedicated link capable of supporting separate network segments with individual collision domains or direct links to network nodes and each port can operate at half or full duplex. Data traffic can also be confined within its own segment so packets don't need to travel through the switch, or packets can be specifically directed to another port to eliminate unnecessary broadcast traffic. The 10 Mbps ports feature a 64-Kbyte memory buffer and the 100 Mbps ports a 160-Kbyte buffer to facilitate packet throughput.

The SwitcHub-8se also is a Plug-and-Play device that is completely self-configuring. The switch is protocol-independent so no additional software drivers are required. The SwitcHub also comes with Accton's exclusive SmartWatch front panel display system that makes it easy to configure, monitor, and diagnose the system at a glance. SmartWatch features a full display of LED indicators to monitor the overall status of the switch, with a separate LED array to monitor activity on each port. The SwitcHub-8se retails for $1,995 in all configurations (including fiber, coax, or twisted-pair Fast Ethernet ports) and begins shipping the first week of April.

Accton Technology Corporation has its international headquarters in Taiwan Science-based Industrial Park, and manufactures workgroup connectivity hardware and software. Accton Technology USA, which handles mass-market product distribution throughout the Western Hemisphere, is located at 1962 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95112; telephone [phone]; FAX: [phone]. Accton also has sales offices in Tokyo, Sydney, London, Frankfurt, Beijing, Dubai, Bombay and Taipei.

CONTACT: Accton Technology Corporation

Christy Calderon, 408/452-8900 ext. 621

www.accton.com

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