Asante Ships Intranet-Based Network Management Software; Windows NT Server-Based IntraSpection Offers Customers a Customizable and Cost-Effective Management Solution for Multivendor Networks.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 1997--In a move to establish its new Web-based network management program as the de facto industry standard, Asante Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASNT) today began shipping IntraSpection, the first Web-based network management package of its kind to provide users with an easily customizable solution that manages all SNMP devices on the market.

IntraSpection, as part of Asante's strategy to remove barriers to network management for both customers and other network device vendors, is available for download free from the IntraSpection Web site at www.intraspection.com . Asante expects ancillary business from IntraSpection to generate extensive new revenue growth opportunities for the company by the end of the year.

The final shipping version of IntraSpection is also now available through normal distribution channels packaged with documentation and technical support at a list price of $295.

The IntraSpection platform includes a comprehensive network map manager, trap manager, Java-enabled network status reports, ODBC-based network event logging, and security mechanisms.

In addition, Asante plans to offer add-on multi-vendor device support called "Personality Modules." The first three modules (supporting 3Com's LinkSwitch 1000, Bay Networks' 2800 hub, and the Asante Fast 100 Hub) will be available by March 1 at a list price of $99 each.

Responding to customer frustrations in dealing with traditional management solutions, Web-based support has become the new frontier in network management today. However, while most vendors offer Web interfaces to their proprietary management software, Asante eliminates the dependence on monolithic software by designing IntraSpection to leverage the capabilities provided by open Internet standards such as HTML, Java and CGI (common graphical interface).

IntraSpection leapfrogs the constraints of existing technology to provide multi-platform support, easy customization via scripting, and device-specific support. The software utilizes Web technology to solve existing end-user problems at an affordable price.

IntraSpection recently won the 1997 Hot Product Award from Data Communications magazine, which noted that "what gives it the sizzle is that it's also the first package to offer a full range of management capabilities that work with products from a variety of vendors."

In order to provide device-specific support for all SNMP devices, Asante will also offer a software development kit (SDK) that allows third party developers to create personality modules. The SDK eliminates time-intensive programming in C++, making it possible to develop a personality module in as little as one week if the user has an understanding of the device (private MIBs) and experience in both HTML and Java. A beta version of the SDK will be available for downloading and testing from the IntraSpection Web site on Feb. 14 and the final SDK will ship in April.

Unlike proprietary management and "open" solutions that are not only costly but also predisposed to create fragmented networks in which some devices are unmanageable or only partially manageable, IntraSpection offers the first cost-effective, easily customized and fully-integrated solution available.

"This is the logical next step in network management," said Eric Davis, network manager at Lawrence Livermore National Lab, Atmospheric Environmental Science Division, in California.

"IntraSpection represents a major step forward for our customers, who in many cases have been unable to grow the management of their networks -- and therefore their businesses -- due to the failure of this industry to provide real solutions," said Paul Smith, vice president of worldwide marketing at Asante. "We believe IntraSpection delivers on the promise of truly open network management."

How it works

To manage the network, the network manager can use any workstation equipped with a Java-enabled Web browser, such as Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer, that can access the machine IntraSpection is installed on. This allows network managers to identify, isolate and resolve problems quickly from anywhere there is access to the Web on any platform (Windows 95, Windows 3.1, Windows NT, UNIX or Macintosh), without being confined to the management console. The IntraSpection software must be installed on a Windows NT machine equipped with a Web server.

Powerful management features provided with IntraSpection include real-time status and statistics reports; extensive trap management; automatic graphical displays of the network using the Map Manager; and security features such as password protection and login verification.

Working with customers

With the explosive growth of enterprise internetworks, the need for integrated network management systems to help simplify management operations has never been greater. Taking a look at customers' needs and today's network management landscape are the focus of a 10 city U.S. seminar tour co-sponsored by Asante and Network World magazine. Titled Enterprise Network Management: Understanding SNMP, SNMPv2 and RMON, the seminar series runs March 5 through June 25, 1997.

About Asante

Founded in 1988, Asante Technologies offers a full line of high-speed networking solutions, including Ethernet and Fast Ethernet adapters, hubs, and switches, as well as network management and network acceleration software products. Asante products are available through a worldwide network of VARs, system integrators and distributors.

For additional information, contact Asante at 800/662-9686 or browse the company's Web site at www.asante.com .

CONTACT: Asante Technologies

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