Intel Drives Ethernet to Higher Speeds and New Market Segments.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NetWorld+Interop 2002 Las Vegas 

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 2002

Intel Corporation today announced new wireless LAN, Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet products that will drive Ethernet networks to higher speeds and new market segments. The new products, unveiled at NetWorld+Interop 2002, reflect Intel's efforts to further the convergence of computing and communications through silicon integration.

Among the new products introduced today, Intel announced a dual band wireless LAN access point and demonstrated an internally developed dual band wireless LAN chipset, both of which serve to enhance Ethernet as a wireless networking technology.

Accelerating the availability of Gigabit Ethernet to the desktop PC, Intel announced that Dell Computer Corporation will use Intel's Gigabit Ethernet controller as a standard network connection on the motherboard in future OptiPlex(1) desktop PCs. Intel also announced the availability of six new Gigabit Ethernet adapters, including dual port adapters for servers and an adapter for desktop PCs that are priced the same as the Fast Ethernet versions.

Intel also unveiled high performance 10 Gigabit Ethernet connections for the enterprise market with the introduction of the Intel(R) 82597EX 10 Gigabit Ethernet controller, the world's first single-chip controller running at 10 Gigabits per second. In addition, Intel announced it has begun sampling the industry's first 10 Gigabit Ethernet adapter that fits in a standard PCI-X slot.

"With more than 20 years' experience in Ethernet, and more than 250 million ports shipped, Intel is uniquely positioned to deliver industry leading Ethernet solutions to multiple market segments," said Sean Maloney, vice president and general manager of Intel's Communications Group. "By fostering industry standards development and driving their implementation into silicon, Intel is helping to shape the future of Ethernet and accelerating the convergence of computing and communications."

Intel Announces Dual Band Access Point and Demonstrates Wireless LAN Chipset

Intel announced the Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN Dual Band Access Point that allows for simultaneous Wi-Fi(1) (IEEE 802.11b) and Wi-Fi5(1) (IEEE 802.11a) connections to the same device. By using a dual band access point, organizations can preserve investments in existing 11 megabits per second (Mbps) Wi-Fi equipment, while at the same time enable an easy transition to Wi-Fi5 networks that offer up to 54 Mbps data rates, greater channel capacity, and cleaner spectrum - all necessary elements for the broader deployment of wireless LANs.

In addition, Intel demonstrated its first internally developed wireless LAN chipset capable of operating as both a Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi5 client. Intel's dual band wireless LAN chipset will be available later this year and is compliant with both the 802.11b and 802.11a standards. It will enable lower cost devices, support the latest wireless LAN security standards, deliver improved throughput, range and power efficiency, and accelerate the integration of wireless networking directly into desktop PCs and notebooks.

Desktop PC Transition to Gigabit Ethernet Receives Boost from Dell

Gigabit Ethernet technology is currently a standard feature integrated into most volume servers and workstations. Dell Computer Corporation's decision to integrate Intel Gigabit Ethernet connections in new OptiPlex desktop PCs shows that higher bandwidth networking is also emerging as a standard feature for desktop PCs.

"Dell and Intel have worked together in a variety of ways to bring Gigabit Ethernet to the desktop," said Jeff Clarke, vice president of Dell Client Products. "Our teams have worked closely with one another to engineer, test and qualify it, and now the two companies are excited about bringing this industry-leading technology to the commercial desktop marketplace."

The transition to Gigabit Ethernet on the desktop PC is accelerating due to demands of high performance clients coupled with a supply of low cost, single-chip controllers that enable Gigabit Ethernet connections for the same price as Fast Ethernet connections. Complementing the controllers and helping to make the transition to Gigabit Ethernet easier and more affordable, Intel also unveiled six new Gigabit Ethernet adapters for fiber optic and copper-based networks.

10 Gigabit Ethernet Emerges for Enterprise Servers

To meet the demands of next generation server platforms and to support networks using Gigabit Ethernet on mainstream business desktops, organizations are now evaluating 10 Gigabit Ethernet technologies. Intel is now sampling the Intel(R) PRO/10GbE LR Server Adapter, a 10 Gigabit Ethernet adapter that operates over single-mode fiber and fits in a standard PCI-X slot.

At the heart of Intel's new adapter is the Intel 82597EX 10 Gigabit Ethernet controller, the first controller with an integrated 10 Gigabit Attachment Unit Interface (XAUI) enabling longer distance transmissions and greater flexibility in device design. In addition, the adapter includes an Intel-developed optics module - the only optics module in the industry small enough to comply with the PCI specification and fit in a standard PCI-X slot.

The Intel PRO/10GbE LR Server Adapter will be featured in servers during the 10 Gigabit Ethernet Alliance interoperability demonstrations at NetWorld+Interop this week. Additional information on Intel's wireless LAN, Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet networking products is available at www.intel.com/communications/events/ni.htm.

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

(1) Other names and brands may be claimed as property of others. Intel is a trademark or registered trademark of Intel Corporation or it subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries.