Intel Introduces New Family of "Carrier Class" Ethernet Components.

High Tech Writers

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 7, 2000

New Transceivers Support Extended Temperature Range,

Network Integrity and Long-Term Availability

for Telecommunications Environments

Intel today introduced a complete family of "Carrier Class" Ethernet transceivers, including Gigabit Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Ethernet transceivers, capable of operating under the harsh conditions of existing telecommunications networks. The Carrier Class Ethernet family supports the extended temperature range, network integrity and long-term availability needed by telecommunications service providers as they address the rapid convergence of telecommunications and data networking by adding Ethernet support to their networks.

"E-Business and voice/data convergence are driving up expectations for Internet protocol over Ethernet. Carriers will require high-performance Ethernet solutions that are consistently reliable and compatible," said David Willis, program director for Global Networking Strategies at META Group.

The Carrier Class Ethernet family of products includes the LXT1000, a new single-port 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit-over-copper Ethernet Transceiver; the LXT9784, a new eight-port 10/100 BASE-TX Ethernet Transceiver; the LXT971, a new single-port 10/100 BASE-TX Ethernet Transceiver; and the LXT905, a 10 BASE-T Ethernet Transceiver that is already shipping in volume quantities.

Telecommunications and networking equipment providers are increasingly using Ethernet as a connection technology both within and between systems. In addition, as IP traffic moves further into the wide area network, telecommunications equipment will need to support this traffic, and Ethernet is the preferred choice. However, this equipment requires components that can withstand the harsh operating conditions in which these systems must operate.

Components targeted at this emerging market segment must withstand temperatures from frigid cold to desert heat and compensate for poor installation, noisy environments, and sub-standard equipment that may already be installed in the network. In addition, these components must be able to handle a cable discharge event (CDE), which often occurs when a large amount of energy stored on a cable is discharged into newly connected networking equipment. When CDE occurs, the system may be damaged, requiring an expensive service call to replace or repair it.

To address these issues, Intel's Carrier Class transceivers have been designed to operate in an extended temperature range from -40 degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius. These transceivers are able to transmit and receive data farther than called for in the current IEEE specification, which helps compensate for poor installation and substandard equipment. The extra operating distance also allows network designers to better utilize expensive equipment and layout. The Carrier Class family of Ethernet Transceivers has also been designed to withstand CDE, reducing the chance of damage in harsh environments.

In addition to the robust feature set delivered by these transceivers, Intel is making the component parts available for up to five years. The extended life of these parts helps prevent expensive equipment redesign and component replacement in systems that may take years to design and millions of dollars to qualify and deploy.

"The Carrier Class Ethernet family offers significant enhancements in durability and flexibility that are required to support carrier-grade reliability and performance of telecom services, including voice over IP," commented Mike Wodopian, general manager of the Networks Components Division of Intel's Network Communications Group. "As we see the proliferation of Internet Protocol into the WAN, our customers will expect our components to meet extended lifetime requirements."

As part of the Intel(R) Internet Exchange(TM) (IX) architecture, the Carrier Class Ethernet family can be easily designed into advanced networking and communications equipment. The IX architecture is a framework for designing powerful and flexible networking and telecommunications equipment using reprogrammable silicon. The IX architecture allows systems designers to add network functionality quickly and cost effectively.

Pricing and Availability

-- LXT1000: Single port 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit over copper

Ethernet Transceiver is currently sampling and is expected to

be in volume production in the third quarter of 2000. Pricing

for the product starts at $90 in volume quantities.

-- LXT9784: Eight port, 10/100BASE-TX Ethernet Transceiver is

currently sampling and is expected to be in volume production

in the third quarter of 2000. Pricing for the product starts

at $20 in volume quantities.

-- LXT971: Single Port 10/100BASE-TX Ethernet Transceiver is

currently in volume production. Pricing for the product starts

at $6 in volume quantities.

-- LXT905: 10BASE-T Ethernet transceiver is currently in volume

production. Pricing for the product starts at $5 in volume

quantities.

About Intel

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

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