Asante Launches High-Capacity Enterprise-Class Gigabit Ethernet Switches; Powerful Authentication and CoS Capabilities at Industry-Leading Prices.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Asante Technologies, Inc. today announced the addition of 2 new Layer 2 Gigabit Ethernet switches to Asante's IntraCore(R) family. The IC36000 Series of switches are designed to provide high-density 10/100/1000BaseT connections at the edge of the network in a space-saving 1 RU form factor. Support for 4 modular SFP ports on both switches allows them to connect up to 4 1000BaseSX or 4 1000BaseLX connections for either trunked Gigabit Ethernet connections to the core or for aggregating remote wiring closets or buildings via fiber.

"We've deployed over 20,000 ports of Asante IntraCore switches in the past year and their equipment is very reliable," stated Tom Gobeille, CEO of Network Computing Architects, Inc. "With these new 48- and 24-port Gig switches, we can start migrating networks over to 1000BaseT to the desktop at about the same price that they are used to paying for 10/100 switches."

Gigabit Performance for Every Port

With 10/100/1000 speeds on every port, network administrators will have up to 10x more bandwidth over conventional Fast Ethernet switches--plus the ability to manage traffic flows. They can use rate limiting to proactively guard against congestion caused by a small number of users saturating network bandwidth. With full support for data/voice/video other Ethernet/IP, they'll be running VoIP and IP multicasting with IGMP.

Powerful Class of Service

Class of Service (CoS) allows users to specify a greater priority for transmitting certain packets from the switch's buffer when switch traffic is congested. IC36000 Series switch administrators can configure queues precisely to match the company's priority levels. By classifying traffic by type (not by physical port), switch management is significantly simplified; whenever a user moves an IP phone, no re-configuration is required.

Separate Utility Maintains Large, Distributed Switch Deployment

For larger installations, the forthcoming IntraCore Management Utility (ICMU) will swiftly manage hundreds of IntraCore switches from a single Microsoft Windows-based application. Network administrators will automatically discover compatible Asante switches and schedule tasks (such as firmware updates, configuration file upload/download, or even reset) for one switch or for a group of switches. This utility will be sold separately.

"Using the new ICMU will allow users to manage hundreds or even thousands of nodes," commented Jim Hsia, Asante Vice President of Marketing. "It's another example of IntraCore's value-oriented total solutions--providing better total cost of ownership."

Pricing and Availability

Asante distributors, resellers, and systems integrators offer these products now:

--IntraCore 36480. 48-port 10/100/1000 switch; 4 combo 1000T/SFP ports. Manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP): $4950.

--IntraCore 36240. 24-port 10/100/1000 switch; 4 combo 1000T/SFP ports. MSRP: $2475.

Related Product

The IntraCore Management Utility--which will help network administrators maintain a large, distributed deployment of Asante IntraCore switches--will be available later this quarter.

About Asante

Asante Technologies, Inc., is a leading provider of networking solutions for the small- to medium-sized enterprise (SME) market. Asante manufactures, markets, and sells a full line of networking products that provides its customers with high-performance, reliable, and value-priced solutions. The company's FriendlyNET(R) and IntraCore product families offer companies a full breadth of products--from the edge to the core of their networks. For additional information, visit www.asante.com or call 800-662-9686.

Asante, FriendlyNET, and IntraCore are registered trademarks of Asante Technologies, Inc. All other names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.