Asante Connects Apple's iMac to LocalTalk Devices With iConnect.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 8, 1998--

New Ethernet-to-LocalTalk bridge from Asante makes file sharing and printing from the new iMac easy

Asante Technologies (NASDAQ: ASNT) today announced iConnect, a new Ethernet-to-LocalTalk bridge that allows the iMac to communicate with several LocalTalk devices or to directly connect LocalTalk Macintoshes to the iMac.

Visitors to Macworld Expo, July 7-10, New York, can see Asante's iConnect at Apple's Content @ Home booth, no.2036 and at Asante's booth, no.1845. The iConnect will ship on August 15 to coincide with the first iMac shipments, and will be available beginning August 15 from national retail outlets, through the Apple Web site at http://www.apple.com/store, and through Asante's normal distribution channels. The iConnect (part number 99-00505-07) will be sold at a list price of $149.95, with an estimated street price of less than $100.

"The iMac offers the latest in communication and peripheral-connection technologies, such as built-in 10/100 Base-TX Ethernet and the Universal Serial Bus," said Tom Boger, Apple product manager. "With the addition of Asante's iConnect Ethernet to LocalTalk bridge, iMac customers can easily communicate with the installed base of Macintosh systems that may not have Ethernet."

Asante's iConnect provides a simple, seamless way to share files and LocalTalk printers over Ethernet and LocalTalk. Set up is simple: users plug a cable from the iMac's Ethernet port into the iConnect, and plug the LocalTalk cable from the iConnect into another Macintosh's LocalTalk port, or a LocalTalk printer. Alternatively, the iConnect can be plugged into a hub or switch for LocalTalk bridging. The iConnect automatically selects between AppleTalk Phase 1 and 2 protocols for extremely fast set up - there are no switches to set or software to install.

Asante sees the iConnect as a natural extension to its more than 10-year history of bringing networking solutions to the Macintosh market.

"Asante is excited to continue its commitment to supporting the Mac community with high-quality networking for both new and existing technology," said Gregory Dean, senior product manager at Asante. "Apple users have long taken advantage of quick and easy Mac-to-Mac communication, and the iConnect extends that tradition to the new iMac."

About Asante

Founded in 1988, Asante Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASNT) is a leading provider of high-performance networking solutions. The company offers LAN switches, hubs and adapter cards, as well as web-based network management software and network acceleration tools. Asante products are available from resellers through Ingram Micro, Merisel, Pinacor, and Tech Data, as well as an international network of VARs, system integrators and distributors. For additional information, contact Asante at 800-662-9686 or 408-435-8388, or browse the company's web site at www.asante.com.

    CONTACT: Asante Technologies, San Jose
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