Asante Technologies Announces Industry's First Plug-and-Play, Low-Cost Gigabit Switches for High Traffic Networks.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 24, 1999--Asante Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:ASNT), announced today its FriendlyNET 7000 series switches developed to increase network bandwidth to Gigabit speed at prices from $979 (estimated street price).

These new switches are the first in a new product category offering the performance of Gigabit networking in an easy to use "plug-and-play" unit for high-bandwidth prepress customers, small design offices, departmental workgroups and medium-sized enterprises. The Gigabit switches, which will begin shipping March 31, 1999, are consistent with Asante's commitment to provide dual-platform networking products compatible with Mac, PC and mixed vendor environments.

The Easy Way to Plug-and-Play at Gigabit Speeds

As increasing file sizes and Internet traffic impact network productivity, maximizing network bandwidth while controlling costs has become crucial to network managers. To meet these demands Asante has designed the FriendlyNET 7000 Series of affordable, easy to install switches that perform at Gigabit speed.

"Until now, Gigabit Ethernet performance has generally been expensive and complicated -- usually requiring management by on-site experts," said Asante president Wilson Wong. "With the increased demand for better network performance for power users in smaller networks, Asante is pleased to be first to market with a brand new category of affordable, expandable Ethernet solutions for small networks and workgroups that demand lots of bandwidth," he added.

The product line includes an "8+1" product with eight 10/100 ports plus one Gigabit port (model FS7108), a 16-port version with two option slots (model FS7016), a 16-port with one Gigabit port and one option slot (model FS7116), and a 24-port with one Gigabit port (model FS7124). For future expandability of the 16-port model, two optional expansion modules will be available -- a one port Gigabit option module and an eight port 10/100 module.

With these option modules, the 16-port product can be configured as a sixteen port 10/100 with two Gigabit ports (16+2), a 24 port 10/100 switch with one Gigabit port (24+1), or a 32 port 10/100 switch. These combinations are available preconfigured or base units and option models can be ordered separately. Preconfigured switches have a price range starting at $1,395 for the 8-port to $2,284 (list price) for the 24-port model, (estimated street price starting at $979).

Other Features

In addition, several units can be stacked together via the Gigabit uplinks to provide even higher port count configurations with Gigabit connections to file servers or backbones. The new FriendlyNET Gigabit switches will also support 100FX fiber connections via an MII option slot in the back of each unit. There is also an easy to use push button uplink for connection to hubs and other network devices without special cables.

About Asante

Founded in 1988, Asante Technologies Inc. is widely recognized as a leader in providing high-performance LAN networking and Internet solutions for SOHO, education, pre-press and other small-to-medium enterprise markets. The company's Ethernet, Fast Ethernet and Gigabit products include switches, hubs and adapter cards, as well as network management software and Internet connectivity products. Asante's products are sold through an international network of distributors, value-added resellers (VARs), system integrators, and retail channels. For additional information, contact Asante at 800/662-9686 or 408/435-8388, or browse the company's web site at www.asante.com.