Boca Research and Ramp Networks Partner; Partnership Delivers Opportunity for Small Businesses Worldwide to Increase Internet Productivity Over Regular Phone Lines.

BOCA RATON, Fla. and SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 1997--Boca Research Inc. (NASDAQ:BOCI), an international data communications hardware provider, and Ramp Networks Inc., the leading provider of easy-to-use, fast Internet access devices for small businesses, today announced they have signed a contract to jointly develop co-marketing programs, promote and sell Ramp Network's award-winning WebRamp M3 in markets outside the United States.

Boca will manage the procurement process for the product's components and manufacture the WebRamp M3.

WebRamp M3 is designed to deliver Internet access to multiple users at speeds up to three times that of a single modem over standard telephone lines. It incorporates an analog router and a four-port Ethernet networking hub with three external modem ports. In addition, the WebRamp M3 includes Ramp Network's EasyIP feature, which allows businesses to support multiple users with one ISP account per modem. With WebRamp M3, businesses significantly reduce Internet Service Provider (ISP) account charges for multi-user Internet access by eliminating the need for a costly corporate or Local Area Network (LAN) ISP account.

WebRamp M3, introduced by Ramp Networks in May 1997, was awarded the prestigious "Best of Show" award at Networld & Interop-Spring, and has received numerous accolades from Internet publications and organizations.

"This agreement takes us a step further in our plan to broaden our product portfolio," said Charles Kenmore, Boca's senior vice president/general manager international. "We strive to create partnerships with companies whose data communications products enhance our own and who can benefit from Boca's worldwide distribution channels and world-class manufacturing.

"Often times, small businesses have budget constraints which do not allow for the use of expensive ISDN connections. Yet, the same small companies are constantly looking for ways to upgrade computer systems in order to achieve faster throughput," Kenmore continued. "Ramp's WebRamp M3 offers small business professionals a faster and more cost-efficient Internet access solution over regular telephone lines. Just imagine; if a business has three modems attached to the WebRamp M3, several employees can access the Internet at the same time at speeds up to three times the rate of a single modem! And that speed, which has the potential to be faster than ISDN speeds of 128K, is achieved without installing high-priced digital lines," Kenmore concluded.

"Boca Research is well known for producing quality products, and we feel confident knowing Ramp products will be manufactured in an ISO 9002-certified facility," said Mahesh Veerina, president, chief executive officer and founder of Ramp Networks. "We are equally excited about the market expansion opportunities that this relationship will provide. At Ramp, our first priority has been to build brand name awareness and sales channels in the U.S., and we are very pleased with our progress here. Boca's strong, worldwide reputation and marketing partnerships immediately open up new international markets. Together, I believe Boca and Ramp will further expand their global market presence and will be successful in bringing the benefits of WebRamp M3 to the millions of small businesses that need cost-effective Internet access."

The WebRamp M3 will be available through retailers, distributors, VARs, and Internet and telecommunications service providers in the Fall of 1997.

Corporate Information -- Boca Research Inc.

Founded in 1985, Boca Research designs, manufactures, markets and supports quality, cost-effective data communications, videoconferencing, multimedia and networking products to facilitate the transmission of information on personal computers and computer networks.

The company sells its products worldwide through distributors, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and retailers. Boca Research is a U.S. corporation headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla. with international operations and ventures worldwide.

Corporate Information -- Ramp Networks Inc.

Founded in 1993, Ramp Networks Inc. offers a family of easy-to-use, fast Internet access devices for growing small businesses. Ramp Networks' award-winning WebRamp products are uniquely designed to meet the low-cost and ease-of-use requirements of the more than five million small offices in the U.S. that are planning to leverage the Internet as a strategic marketing and research tool.

Headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., Ramp Networks is privately held and backed by more than $17 million in venture capital funding. For more information about Ramp Networks and the WebRamp family of products, contact the company at 408/988-5353; by fax at 408/988-6363; or via the World Wide Web at http://www.rampnet.com .

CONTACT: Ramp Networks

Rochelle Ross, 408/988-5353

[e-mail]

or

Stirling & Karbo

Scott Green, 415/513-0983

[e-mail]