Atheros Joins Cisco Compatible Extensions Program to Enhance Enterprise-class WLANs; Atheros Multi-mode Design First to Receive Cisco Compatible Extensions Approval.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 2003 Atheros Communications, the leading developer of advanced wireless LAN A local area network that transmits over the air typically in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz unlicensed frequency band. It does not require line of sight between sender and receiver. Wireless base stations (access points) are wired to an Ethernet network and transmit a radio frequency over an area (LAN (Local Area Network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. The "clients" are the user's workstations typically running Windows, although Mac and Linux clients are also used. ) chipsets, is enabling enterprises to rapidly deploy and integrate wireless LANs into their IT infrastructures by simplifying management and roaming The ability to use a communications device such as a cellphone or PDA and be able to move from one cell or access point to another without losing the connection. capabilities and providing enhanced security features through the Cisco Compatible Extensions See CCX. program announced today. Atheros' multi-mode (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) PC Card design, based on the market-leading AR5001X chipset A group of chips designed to work as a unit to perform a function. For example, a modem chipset contains all the primary circuits for transmitting and receiving. A PC chipset provides the electronic interfaces between all subsystems (see PC chipset for illustration). , was the first to receive Cisco Compatible Extensions approval. This same Atheros technology has been integrated into laptops from four of the five largest PC vendors, enabling them to brand their products "Cisco Compatible" after their completion of the third-party interoperability The capability of two or more hardware devices or two or more software routines to work harmoniously together. For example, in an Ethernet network, display adapters, hubs, switches and routers from different vendors must conform to the Ethernet standard and interoperate with each other. testing(1). By achieving Cisco Compatibility, the Atheros design meets interoperability test criteria with Cisco Aironet wireless LAN infrastructure and other "Cisco Compatible" products based on its technology. Interoperability gives enterprises greater flexibility for wireless LAN installation and enhanced network security and management controls through the Cisco Wireless Security Suite. "Atheros' leadership in multi-mode 802.11a/b chipsets and its recent announcement of multiple notebook PC design wins make them a key business partner for us," said Bill Rossi, vice president and general manager of Cisco's Wireless Networking See wireless network. Business Unit. "Having Atheros deliver a 'Cisco Compatible' multi-mode wireless LAN solution is extremely important for enterprise users who want to optimize security, manageability, and scalability in a high-performance wireless system." Enterprise IT managers have been waiting for multi-mode wireless-enabled notebook PCs, and enhanced management and security capabilities before broadly deploying wireless LANs. Multi-mode wireless LAN capabilities enable IT managers to provide backward compatibility See backward compatible. (jargon) backward compatibility - Able to share data or commands with older versions of itself, or sometimes other older systems, particularly systems it intends to supplant. with their installed base of 802.11b networks, while using 802.11a to achieve the higher performance and scalability that enterprises demand. Cisco Compatible Extensions approval provides tested compatibility with the Cisco Aironet wireless infrastructure, providing the assurance of enterprise-class management and robust security. "The time for enterprises to broadly adopt wireless networking is now," said Rich Redelfs, president and chief executive officer of Atheros. "With multi-mode technology and Cisco Compatible Extensions interoperability now available, the challenges of deploying wireless LANs have been greatly reduced. We are pleased to work with Cisco to improve the user experience and transparency of enterprise-class wireless connections." For more details, please refer to today's press release entitled en·ti·tle tr.v. en·ti·tled, en·ti·tling, en·ti·tles 1. To give a name or title to. 2. To furnish with a right or claim to something: , "Cisco Leads the Way in Building an Ecosystem for Enterprise Wireless LANs with Launch of Cisco Compatible Extensions Program." More information on the Cisco Compatible Extensions program and a list of "Cisco Compatible" branded mobile devices can be found at www.cisco.com/go/ciscocompatible/wireless. About Atheros Communications, Inc. Atheros Communications is the leading developer of networking technologies for secure, high-performance wireless local area networks. As the industry innovator and market-share leader in wireless OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) A digital transmission technique that uses a large number of carriers spaced apart at slightly different frequencies. technology compliant with the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, New York, www.ieee.org) A membership organization that includes engineers, scientists and students in electronics and allied fields. 802.11 specifications, Atheros is driving transparent connections among electronic devices in the office, home and on the road. Atheros technology is being used by many of the world's leading wireless equipment manufacturers. For more information, visit www.atheros.com or send email to info@atheros.com. Note to Editors: Atheros and the Atheros logo are registered trademarks of Atheros Communications, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. (1) For more information about Atheros technology being integrated into laptops see the Atheros Jan. 29 announcement titled, "Delivers Multi-Mode Wi-Fi Technology in New Notebooks from 4 of the Top 5 PC Vendors" or visit http://www.atheros.com/news/PC_umbrella.html. |
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