Cisco Expands ISDN Router Solutions with Introduction of Low-Cost ISDN Router Series for Enterprise Telecommuters; Extends the Enterprise to the Home Through Cisco 750 Series' Affordable, High-Speed Access to Enterprise Networks, Internet.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 20, 1995--Cisco Systems, Inc., the leading global supplier of internetworking solutions, today announced a low-cost family of easy-to-use and install Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) router solutions that lead the industry in providing telecommuters with around-the-clock, high-speed remote access to enterprise networks and the Internet.

The Cisco 750 series of ISDN solutions is a direct result of Cisco's August 1995 acquisition of Combinet, Inc., a leading supplier of ISDN connectivity solutions.

The new 750 series rounds out Cisco's Access Business Unit (ABU) access solutions by addressing key enterprise requirements including: support for multiprotocol routing and bridging, complete interoperability with the industry-leading Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS), advanced security to protect sensitive data, bandwidth optimization capabilities to decrease connection costs, scalability for investment protection, and fully integrated network management for simplified management. Moreover, the 750 series is offered at one of the industry's lowest price points for enterprise routers, enabling companies to deploy hundreds -- or even thousands -- of Cisco 750 series devices to increase employee productivity.

"The Cisco 750 series breaks new ground in ISDN router affordability and ease of use," said Tom Williams, vice president of Cisco's Professional Office Division in the company's Access Business Unit. "Companies that want to increase employee productivity by offering telecommuter access will find the 750 series to be the industry's best solution. For the first time, based on the 750 series low price, a company can easily provide hundreds of telecommuters transparent and cost-effective access to complex enterprise networks. This makes significant strides in bringing affordable enterprise access to remote users."

The Cisco 750 series provides an ISDN access solution that is complementary to the Cisco 1000 series. While the Cisco 1000 series is ideal for small branch office connectivity, the Cisco 750 series is tailored for telecommuters and small professional offices that require IP and IPX routing over ISDN.

In addition to offering ISDN remote access, the Cisco 750 series offers a model with an external analog telephone interface to enable analog devices, such as plain old telephones (POTs), facsimile machines and modems, to share a single ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) line. As a result, users can eliminate the recurring cost of a separate analog telephone line. Some models also feature a built-in network termination 1 (NT1) device in the ISDN port, providing an all-in-one solution for ISDN users in North America. The Cisco 750 series also includes Cisco ConnectPro, Cisco's Microsoft Windows-based application that simplifies installation, configuration and administration, so that even a novice user can manage an ISDN router.

Driving Powerful, Easy-to-Use, Affordable Access Down the Enterprise

Through support of IP and IPX routing and transparent bridging, the Cisco 750 series enables enterprise telecommuters to connect easily and inexpensively to enterprise networks. The series' IP routing functionality enables transparent access to the Internet for applications such as electronic mail, file transfers, and World Wide Web browsing. In addition, because the 750 Series is affordable and relies on high-speed ISDN communications, a company can lower the initial and recurring costs typically associated with telecommuting programs.

The first new products in the Cisco 750 series include the Cisco 751, the Cisco 752 and the Cisco 753 routers. The Cisco 751 multiprotocol ISDN router is Cisco's most affordable router option for connecting telecommuters to the enterprise. The Cisco 752 router includes a built-in NT1 device and features an external S/T port to support additional ISDN devices to eliminate the need for a separate ISDN line for voice or videoconferencing applications. The Cisco 753 router includes both an external analog telephone interface and a built-in NT1.

Each router can be managed through an attached console, a Telnet session or the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) using SNMP management tools, eliminating the need for network management expertise at remote sites. The Cisco 750 series supports the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) to ensure compatibility with multivendor products and services, while the Routing Information Protocol (RIP) provides dynamic routing updates and minimizes setup and support costs.

Pricing and Availability

The Cisco 750 series is available immediately. The Cisco 751 and the Cisco 752 list for $999 (U.S.) and $1,199 (U.S.), respectively, while the Cisco 753 lists at $1,399 (U.S.). The basic configuration of the Cisco 750 series supports up to four LAN devices. A Remote Office (RO) option supports an unrestricted number of LAN devices and lists at $400 (U.S.) for the Cisco 753 and $500 (U.S.) each for the Cisco 751 and 752. The Cisco 751 router is available worldwide. The Cisco 752 and the Cisco 753 are available in the U.S. and Canada only.

CiscoPro versions of the 750 series routers, which are tailored to the small office/home office (SOHO) environment, are also available through Cisco's two-tier distribution channel.

Cisco's Access Business Unit is the market leader in providing dedicated and dial-up access solutions for remote LAN and single-user connectivity. Today, Cisco ships more than 30,000 access units a month, more than all vendors combined.

Cisco Systems, Inc.(NASDAQ:CSCO) is the leading global supplier of enterprise networks, including routers, LAN and ATM switches, dial-up access servers, and network management software. These products, integrated by the Cisco IOS software, link geographically dispersed LANs, WANs and IBM networks. Cisco Systems news and product/service information are available at World Wide Web site http://www.cisco.com. Cisco Systems is headquartered in San Jose, Calif.

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JoAnn Johnston, 415/513-0978

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