BBN ANNOUNCES INDUSTRY'S FIRST VIDEO ROUTER FOR VIDEOCONFERENCING OVER EXISTING INTERNET PROTOCOL NETWORKS; T 40 Router Reduces Videoconferencing Costs; Eliminates the Need for Separate Networks.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 14, 1995--BBN today announced its T/40 Video Internet Router, the industry's first communications device that enables companies to incorporate real-time video and Internet Protocol (IP) data in a single router.

Routers connect dissimilar networks, forwarding information from one to another and determining the best forwarding path to reach any destination. The T/40 Router allows organizations to implement videoconferencing systems over existing IP networks, such as those used for electronic mail and other communications applications.

With the T/40, companies are able to reduce the high costs associated with managing a separate videoconferencing network, as video and IP data share one network. For example, a financial institution with worldwide branch offices can add T/40 routers to their existing IP networks to establish videoconferencing and real-time communication between branch offices and corporate headquarters. While a videoconferencing session is in progress, each branch office network remains available for routine IP traffic such as printing documents, accessing server-based applications and sharing files.

"Videoconferencing is an ideal tool to bring together geographically dispersed teams to make timely, informed business decisions. However, high costs and inconsistent transmission quality have made videoconferencing impractical for many organizations," said Avi Legmann, product line manager at BBN. "The T/40 Internet Router makes videoconferencing affordable for organizations in a wide range of industries. Videoconferencing systems can now run on the networks customers already have in place without any reduction in transmission quality or added network costs."

Reliable, Multisite Videoconferencing

Multisite videoconferencing capabilities are inherent in the T/40 Router. These capabilities are supported through the ST-II resource management multi-cast protocol. ST-II enforces efficient use of network bandwidth to allow real-time applications to run on wide-area networks (WANs) and to provide connectivity for multiple videoconferencing sites.

The T/40 packetizes real-time applications to run 'on top' of a Frame Relay network. Real-time data is transmitted without interference, making the T/40 suitable for other real-time applications, such as transaction processing and imaging. Companies can install the T/40 to process standard IP data as well as interoperate with existing networks.

T/40 Configuration

The T/40 is based on proven technology that is being used by BBN and its government customers to connect commercial desktop and room-based videoconferencing systems into IP networks. The T/40 Router supports industry standards and protocols including:

o Internet Protocol (IP) o Internet-Control Message Protocol (ICMP) o Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) o Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) o Stream Version 2 (ST-II)

The T/40 Video Router is a hardware and software configuration that includes a Motorola 68040-based processor, standard interfaces and modular expansions. The product features IP and ST-II routing software with resource management functions as well as application packetizing software and BBN's serial protocol conversion technology.

Pricing and Availability

The T/40 Video Internet Router will be available in the September 1995. Pricing for the modular product starts at $7,980. Additional information may be obtained by calling 1-800-825-4730.

Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, BBN (Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc., NYSE:BBN) is a leading provider of Internet access and internetworked systems that help people work and learn together. For its fiscal year ended June 30, 1995, BBN had revenue of $215 million. -0-

BBN is a registered trademark, and T/40 is a trademark of Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc. All other products mentioned are trademarks of their respective holders.

CONTACT: Donna Lane

BBN

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Internet: [e-mail]

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Paul Davis

For BBN

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