Cabletron signs reseller agreement with Softbank; Over 1,000 Softbank distributors will resell Cabletron networking products in Japan.

ROCHESTER, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nov. 1, 1995--Cabletron Systems, the worldwide modular hub market leader(a), announced today a major reseller agreement with Softbank Corporation.

Softbank, the largest distributor of network products, software and peripherals in Japan, will resell Cabletron's intelligent hubs, switches and network management products through its 1,000 network distributors. This is Cabletron's ninth Japanese reseller agreement in less than two years and is an indicator of the dramatic growth occuring in the Japanese networking market.

"This agreement teams two of the leading providers of complete network solutions in Japan," says Yuichi Murano, president, Cabletron Systems K.K. in Tokyo, Japan. "As a result of this agreement Cabletron will aggressively pursue the workgroup and mid-range switching hub markets."

Cabletron and Softbank reached this agreement based on the market opportunity created by Japan's rapidly expanding LAN market. Analysts expect growth of over 30% in the Japanese internetworking market by 1998. Softbank's distributors will initially focus on selling Cabletron's intelligent hubs, fiber optic transceivers and converters.

The agreement with Softbank will allow Cabletron to provide a smooth migration path for its Japanese customers from the workgroup and mid-range switching hub products that are now in demand to the enterprise wide systems they will require in the future. This customer-oriented approach has allowed Cabletron to expand rapidly in Japan.

"Traditionally a high-end provider of networking solutions, our relationship with Softbank allows us to meet the needs of the growing market for Cabletron products in Japan," said Michael Welts, director of worldwide marketing, Cabletron Systems. "With this agreement we have secured another strong, reliable distribution channel for our products."

Softbank Corporation, established in 1981 and headquartered in Tokyo, is a leader in providing complete networking solutions and is Japan's largest distributor of network products. In addition, Softbank is Japan's largest publisher of computer-related magazines and books. With an initial public offering in July 1994 and its acquisitions of Ziff-Davis EXPOS (SOFTBANK EXPOS) and the COMDEX Show from The Interface Group (SOFTBANK COMDEX) Softbank continues to consolidate their position as a leader in the industry.

Along with Softbank, Cabletron's resellers and integraters include: Toshiba Engineering, JDC, Matsushita, AT&T GIS, INTEC, Networld Inc., CTC and TEL. Cabletron's Tokyo office is located at Shinbashi Yamane Building 4F, 2-5-14 Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 105 and the phone number is 011-03-3459-1981.

Headquartered in Rochester, N.H., Cabletron employs more than 5,300 people in over 80 offices around the world. The worldwide modular hub market leader(a), Cabletron is ISO-9001 certified. Cabletron develops, manufactures and markets Ethernet, FDDI, Token Ring, ATM internetworking and Enterprise Management software products based on its Synthesis product framework.

Cabletron directly services more than 80,000 customer sites around the globe and provides 7 x 24 support coverage, with free phone support during normal working hours. A component of the S&P 500 index, Cabletron's stock is traded over the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CS. Over the last four quarters the company has reported record revenue of $934 million and earnings of $188 million.

-0-

(a)Source: Dataquest Incorporated: February 1995

Cabletron's World Wide Web site can be reached on the Internet at http// www.ctron.com. The International Sales/Coordination Department can be contacted at 603-337-1775 (United States).

CONTACT: Sandra Hogan

Cabletron Systems

603-337-1388

email:[e-mail]