Avocent Extends DS Series Platform with Next Generation Software and KVM OVER IP Switching Capabilities.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CeBIT 2002

HANNOVER, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 11, 2002

DSR switches feature powerful advancements

for controlling data center devices with new DSView software

Avocent Corporation (NASDAQ:AVCT), the leading global provider of KVM switching and network connectivity appliances, today announced it will demonstrate its latest release of DSView software, which provides local or remote control of devices connected to any of Avocent's DS Series appliances. Avocent's three new DSR KVM (keyboard, video and mouse) switches in its DS Series include DSR1161, DSR2161 and DSR4160. The new DSView software release and these KVM OVER IP(TM) switching systems will be demonstrated at CeBIT, Hall 16, Stand B18.

With DSView and the DSR switches, IT administrators can easily troubleshoot, or even reboot a server, from the NOC, from their desk or from any location in the world, using standard TCP/IP connections. DSView includes a wealth of new features, including IP-based session sharing, which allows a single digital channel to be shared by multiple users or used privately by a single user. Other new features include auto video and mouse adjustment capabilities, enhanced keyboard macros for improved administration, and support for Microsoft's Windows(R) XP.

Powerful DSView software for secure control of servers and serial devices

The cornerstone of each appliance in the DS Series, DSView is a Windows application that provides `click and connect' control of any server using industry standard TCP/IP (Ethernet) connections and DES encryption. Because DSView offers a familiar user interface, administrators, whether local or remote, can quickly manage multiple servers and serial devices throughout the data center.

The most recent version of DSView software (1.0.0.100) includes advanced tools and security features that IT managers have come to expect when managing diverse data center devices and supporting multiple users in various locations.

DSView provides the following features for access and control of data center devices:

-- Session sharing enables a single data channel to be shared by up to eight
users and privacy mode for exclusive connections or stealth mode for
administrators who require "view only" privileges without being detected

-- The ability to specify administration privileges to individual users, rather
than groups

-- Automatically detects and adjusts to host screen changes

-- Automatically updates the screen resolution and mouse synchronization

-- Readjusts video scaling settings by simply dragging the screen to size

-- Simplifies administration by providing a topology view which shows the
names, not only IP addresses, of each individual device in the data center

-- Supports Windows XP, 2000 and 95/98

-- Provides enhanced keyboard macros for simplified administration

"With the introduction of the DSR in Q4 2001, Avocent was the first KVM vendor to tightly integrate analog and KVM OVER IP(TM) connectivity into a single switch," said John Cooper, president and CEO of Avocent. "As a result, our DS Series platform includes the most powerful products available for both access at the rack or from any location in the world. Since DSView works seamlessly with the entire DS Series, IT staff can use one powerful Windows application to support virtually any numbers of users and manage any number of servers or serial devices over their existing IP networks."

"We have delivered what our customers have asked for and given IT managers what other vendors cannot- the flexibility and security to use one interface to manage not only servers, but virtually any data center device over IP and the flexibility to use IP or CAT 5 cabling to connect those devices," said Gary Johnson, senior vice president of worldwide marketing and sales. "We are pleased to showcase our proven capabilities in KVM switching by demonstrating the new security and administration features in our DSView software suite, as well as our three new DSR switching systems."

DSR Series provides flexible access and control of network devices

DSR switches provide access and control, from any location, to servers or serial-based network devices in any data center. Avocent's slim, 1U DSR appliances are designed for rack environments where space is at a premium and 24/7 server control is a necessity. Each DSR appliance provides connections for 16 servers. When connected with Avocent's DSRIQ cable, each appliance significantly reduces cable clutter in the back of the rack with its efficient CAT 5 cable design.

Certifications, Pricing and Availability

The entire DS Series for controlling servers or network devices includes: DSView, DS1800, DSR1161, DSR2161, DSR4160, DSRIQ, CPS810 and CPS1610 network appliances, software and cabling. Avocent's DSR Series meets industry standard video requirements for VESA (the leading, worldwide standards organization for the video electronics industry). Estimated prices are $3,495 for the DSR1161, $4,495 for the DSR2161, $6,995 for the DSR4160 and $99.99 for the DSRIQ cable. DSView software prices begin at $750. Additional pricing, details and an informative DS Series web cast are available on www.avocent.com.

About Avocent Corporation

Avocent is the leading worldwide supplier of equipment that helps data center operators manage their ever-expanding server farms. Operators are provided real-time access to any of their computers over the Internet from anywhere in the world, all without requiring any special hardware or software on those computers. Avocent was formed in the year 2000 by the merger of leading industry innovators Apex Inc. and Cybex Computer Products Corporation. Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, Avocent has locations in Redmond, Washington; Sunrise, Florida; Chelmsford, Massachusetts; Austin, Texas; Shannon, Ireland; London, England; Steinhagen and Munich, Germany; Tokyo, Japan; and Singapore. For more information about Avocent and its products, visit the Company's website at www.avocent.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include statements regarding market opportunity, product development, engineering and design activities, and product availability and operability. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including the risks associated with the introduction and operation of a new product, risks associated with product design efforts, and risks associated with reliance on a limited number of component suppliers and single source components. Other factors that could cause operating and financial results to differ are described in Avocent's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on March 27, 2001. Other risks may be detailed from time to time in reports to be filed with the SEC. Avocent does not undertake any obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Avocent, the Avocent logo and KVM OVER IP are trademarks of Avocent Corporation. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.