EdgePoint Networks Introduces The EdgePlus Line of Ethernet Switches and Switchable Hubs.

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 1998--

Powerful and Versatile Switches and Hubs Includes both Wide Area

Network Connectivity and Network Management Functionality

EdgePoint Networks, an expert developer of high quality, user-efficient networking solutions, has announced its EdgePlus line of Ethernet switches and switchable hubs. This powerful and versatile family of autosensing 10/100 megabit Ethernet switches and hubs includes both wide area network (WAN) connectivity and network management functionality as well.

"From the time of its creation, EdgePoint has been working towards delivering a comprehensive line of Ethernet switches and switchable hubs that will fit the needs of companies with networks ranging in size from as few as 10 users to those with large, enterprise-wide installations where there are thousands of users, " said Philip Lumish Vice President of Sales and Marketing for EdgePoint Networks, Inc. "With the announcement of this new family of switches and hubs, we are now able to provide solutions that enable companies to 'be on the Edge' of the technology and not ahead of it."

EdgePoint's concept is to deliver products that fully meet today's market needs at highly competitive prices, and which also include functions that go beyond that offered by competitive alternatives. The company believes that a substantial market for 10 megabit products still remains, and also expects that today's needs for 10 megabit solutions will evolve into 100 megabyte requirements in a relatively short period of time. "We think that the one 1 gigabit Ethernet market is actually in its infancy, and don't expect that its real impact will be felt until sometime during 1999," continued Lumish.

The new EdgePlus family consists of three separate product lines-EdgeStar, EdgeStack, and EdgeSwitch. Specifically, the EdgeStar 200 product consists of two models: one is a twelve port switch with twelve 10 megabit dedicated switch ports and two autosensing, switchable 10/100 ports with the second providing twenty four 10 megabit dedicated switch ports and two autosensing, switchable 10/100 ports. As an option to the Ethernet connectivity in these systems, buyers can also purchase an add-in card that provides a 56K bps modem capability for WAN connectivity. Additionally, users can further enhance the versatility of EdgeStar models by adding network management functions such as RMON, MIB support and in-band management for telnet and SNMP. Edgepoint has also recognized the increased interest in providing web-based network management and is supporting this through HTTP.

The EdgeStack 300 is a sixteen port autosensing 10/100 fully switchable hub that is stackable, thereby enabling it to provide users with an efficient way to deal with large port require-ments. The EdgeSwitch 400 is a dedicated switch providing 10/100 capabilities on each of twelve ports, and it is designed to function as a Central switch as well. As with each product offered by EdgePoint, users also have the ability to easily add WAN and network management functions to both the EdgeStack 300 and the EdgeSwitch 400.

All of the EdgePlus products are inter-connectable, thus permitting their use by the full range of client companies. For example, the EdgeStar can be used to connect remote locations to each other, as well as for tying into centralized switch locations using the EdgeSwitch 400. The EdgeSwitch 400 can then in turn be connected to the EdgeStack managing a mixed, high port count situation. In addition, the EdgeSwitch 400 can also be stacked with the EdgeStack product. By adding the WAN capabilities to the standard switching needs of an organization, the EdgePlus series can effectively satisfy most Ethernet networking requirements.

EdgePoint has also developed a special technology as an add-on feature to the EdgePlus series that reduces the chances of collisions in the network. Tentatively referred to as EdgeCAR, this added function permits higher scalability in the network by allowing groups of eight ports to share a collision domain, instead of every available port sharing that domain.

"This entire line of products will be on display at Networld & Interop in May." Lumish continued. "We also have an aggressive delivery schedule that will start in June of this year, and continue on a monthly basis through October when we will have delivered all of the platforms and all of the options. In addition, in the latter months, we will also be shipping advanced network management functions including QoS, Spanning Tree, VLAN and threshhold support."

EdgePoint will be selling the full product line through resellers and distributors on a worldwide basis. The company also has plans to launch a substantial OEM sales effort as well. Pricing is expected to range from under $50 per port and up, and all products will be delivered with a 5 year warranty.

For more information, contact EdgePoint Networks, Inc. by phone at 408/986-1700, or visit the company's Internet Web-site at http://www.edgepoint.com. The company's address is 2238 Martin Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95050.

About EdgePoint Networks, Inc.

EdgePoint Networks, Inc. was formed in early 1997 to provide high quality, user-efficient, networking solutions. The management of the company has over 100 person years of experience in network design, management and marketing. The EdgePlus series of products is the first in a continuing series of solutions from EdgePoint Networks that address the increasingly complex connectivity requirements facing companies today.

NOTE: See EdgePoint Networks At NetWorld+Interop Show, Booth 1820

CONTACT: S&S Public Relations 

Elizabeth Costabile

847/291-1616, ext. 278

[e-mail]