Cisco solidifies branch office leadership with suite of client server migration products; new router and FRAD offerings extend Cisco's successful 2500 family to more than 30 models for maximum customer flexibility.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 1995--Cisco Systems, Inc., the leading global supplier of internetworking solutions, today announced a range of new 2500 routers and Frame Relay access products (FRADs) that extend Cisco's position as the market leader in branch office connectivity solutions.

Included in the announcements are the Cisco 2520, 2521, 2522 and 2523 branch office routers with high density serial ports; the 2518 and 2519 integrated router/hub; and a suite of Frame Relay Access products based on the popular Cisco 2500 series. (Editors note: see separate releases announced today entitled: Cisco Announces All-In-One Internetworking Solution, Cisco Announces Frame Relay Access Products and Cisco Announces Single-Box Hub/Router Solution).

The Cisco 2500 family is the industry's premier branch office router featuring the broadest product line available, with more than 30 different models. The Cisco 2500 series complements Cisco's 7000/7500 and 4000 series of central/regional site routers, the 1000 series of mission-specific small branch office routers and the 750 series of ISDN telecommuter solutions.

All Cisco 2500 routers feature the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS) software. Cisco IOS software is the foundation of the Internet and most of the largest enterprise networks in the world. Cisco IOS software provides the broadest set available of LAN, WAN and legacy protocols as well as network services such as WAN optimization, security, network policy, data prioritization and network management.

"Today's announcements extend our capability to provide customers with large investments in legacy equipment the ability to consolidate everything into one internetwork infrastructure, protecting their legacy investment while migrating to an internetworked client/server architecture," said Kevin Kennedy, division director of Cisco's Access Business Unit (ABU). "At the same time, Cisco IOS software ensures the quality of service the user is accustomed to and the level of manageability and support required by the network manager."

Today's new product announcements further underscore a number of Cisco's access market leadership milestones:

-- the industry-leading 2500 router series now boasts a customer base of more than 250,000 units installed worldwide;

-- market share leadership in the dial-up market segments with 30% market share (1H1995, Dell 'Oro Group), 51% market share in the access router market segment (1994, International Data Corporation);

-- IBM Conectivity market leadership with more than 70% market share (1994, International Data Corporation);

-- and Frame Relay leadership with 53% of all Frame Relay router ports (1994, Yankee Group).

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. -0-

Note to Editors: Cisco IOS is a trademark and Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. All other trademarks, registered or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners.

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