Computone Unveils RCM 2004/2008 at COMDEX; Servers Key to Out-of-Band Console Management Solution.

Business/High-Tech Editors

COMDEX Fall 2000

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 2000

IT industry pioneer and leader Computone Corporation (OTC BB: CMPT) has added to its popular family of out-of-band remote console management solutions with the introductions of the RCM 2004 and RCM 2008 intelligent servers for small and medium-sized businesses at COMDEX (Booth P153, Linux Business Expo, Sands Expo Center).

The latest members of Computone's IntelliServer(R) family of high-performance intelligent servers, the RCM 2004 (supporting four devices) and RCM 2008 (supporting eight devices) are engineered with enhanced features, allowing centralized and remote control of network devices through serial console ports. Supporting a variety of network devices, including switches, routers, hubs, workstations, multiple servers or management systems, the new RCMs provide an alternate route to manage devices via dial-in connections, local terminals or direct network access, all without relying on the public network.

Network Management Power Where It's Needed

"The RCM 2004 and 2008 additions to our IntelliServer family put network management power where it's needed," said Perry Pickerign, Computone's president. "Both the remote and LAN/WAN console management solutions provide the power to securely administer, troubleshoot, reconfigure or reboot devices without intercepting network issues.

"Computone is a leader in providing secure local and remote management of network devices through Secure Shell (SSH) protocol, including 128-bit encryption for the transmission of sensitive data and custom key lengths, making it virtually impossible to decipher data packets," Pickerign said. "That extra level of security is now available through the new RCM servers."

Computone's RCM 2004/2008 support dial-in, providing a secure modem connection. They also allow non-root access users to view, but not change, configurations while supporting other security protocols including PAP, CAP, MSCHAP, RADIUS, and IP packet filtering.

"We are now bringing our leading-edge technology, which is used by such industry giants as IBM(R), Nortel(R), Yahoo(R) and others, to smaller networks which require only four to eight mission-critical devices," said Pickerign. An example, he said, is a doctor's office or a small branch office, which don't have on-site or on-staff MIS managers to maintain networks.

"But people still need care and attention," Pickerign said, "and information for medical or business purposes must continue to flow. Here, the RCM solution can prove invaluable."

Computone's RCM solution supports enhanced administration options, including 32K non-connect port buffering, which provides an audit trail to assist in quickly troubleshooting network devices. Line-by-line event logging and system monitoring are also available to help administrators quickly identify and diagnose system problems.

In addition, the Web browser interface assures easy installation, reduces training time, and lowers administrative costs. The remote shell (or command line) interface allows scripting of multiple commands, and the tip menu assigns descriptive names to each port rather than numbers, simplifying port administration.

The RCM 2004 has a unit-one MSRP of $1,795, and the 2008 has a unit-one MSRP of $2,395. Both are available from Computone and its authorized distributors worldwide.

About Computone Corporation

Computone Corporation (OTC BB: CMPT, www.computone.com) has been a pioneer and leader in the worldwide IT industry since 1984. Today, Computone designs, manufactures and markets a comprehensive line of intelligent servers used for secure remote network management, secure E-commerce, and remote access communications for Internet, LAN/WAN and Windows NT/SCO UNIX/Linux and other Open Systems. Computone is also a leading producer of high-speed multiport I/O boards, serving vertical markets including healthcare, retail/point-of-sale, banking and financial, telecommunications, Internet service providers (ISPs), transportation, hospitality and education. Based in suburban Atlanta, Computone sells through a worldwide network of authorized and certified distributors. Its Multi-User Solutions subsidiary, acquired earlier this year, is a leading third party provider of service and support specializing in Linux(R), SCO(R) UNIX(R), Windows(R) NT, and other Open Systems. For fiscal 2000, ended March 31, 2000, Computone reported an increase of 10 percent in net sales over 1999.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. With the exception of historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.

IntelliServer is a registered trademark of Computone Corporation. All trademarks are properties of their respective owners.