NASA Uses Cabletron's SmartSwitch Router to Deliver Gigabit Performance Across Busy Internet Exchange Points.

ROCHESTER, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 1999--

NASA Also Looking at New Cabletron ATM and Packet-over-SONET

Interfaces to Support High-Speed Uplinks to Internet Backbone 

Cabletron Systems (NYSE:CS) today announced a new set of high-performance ATM and Packet-over-SONET (POS) interfaces for its industry-leading SmartSwitch Router (SSR) family - the industry's first full-function, wire-speed, Gigabit multi-layer switch router capable of extending Layer 4 application QoS to the WAN.

Cabletron's new modules extend the SSR's wire-speed routing and QoS capabilities at OC-3c and OC-12c speeds, while POS and ATM interfaces further extend the SSR's WAN connectivity in service provider, large enterprise and government environments.

"NASA is currently researching and designing the next-generation Internet Exchange," said Lance Tatman, network engineer for Raytheon Systems Company. "For a project of this magnitude, we need wire-speed switching performance to support uplinks to the Internet backbone. We've been looking at Cabletron's SmartSwitch Routers for some time now, and with new Packet-over-SONET and ATM interfaces, it is certainly a viable solution for the rigorous demands of our environment."

Tatman continued, "We have already placed the SSR into operation on the MAE-West Ames, one of the West Coast's busiest Internet Exchange Points, and can now offer Exchange point connections at gigabit data rates."

The new ATM modules deliver wire-speed access for T1/E1, T3/E3 and OC-3c connections. Extensive QoS, traffic shaping and VC support provide service providers ATM connectivity at the subscriber edge in order to provision ATM-based services to corporate clients. POS OC-3c and OC-12c modules provide advanced hardware routing, QoS and redundancy features that enable high-speed uplinks to backbones. Local switch routing, in conjunction with WRED on the POS modules, provide superior performance and functionality.

"Cabletron's SmartSwitch Router is a feature-rich, cost-effective solution for government and service provider environments that demand wire-speed performance at a reasonable price," explained Ed Chang, Cabletron's director of SSR products. "Our SSR solution is the only Layer 3 switch currently shipping with WAN interfaces. And with the addition of these new ATM and POS interfaces, it easily meets the high speed WAN needs of service providers."

Pricing and Availability

Cabletron's ATM OC-3c modules will be available for the SSR 2000, 8000 and 8600 chassis in November 1999, starting at under $10,000.

Cabletron's Packet-over-SONET modules will be available for the SSR 8000 and 8600 chassis in November 1999. POS OC-3c modules will start at under $30,000, and OC-12c modules will start at under $40,000.

About Cabletron Systems

Cabletron Systems, a premier provider of world-class networking solutions, delivers reliable network access and communications to millions of people worldwide. With scaleable products designed for Global 1000 enterprise networks, service providers and small businesses, Cabletron is the e-business communications specialist in the Internet economy. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange for more than a decade under the symbol CS, Cabletron is an S&P 500 index company. Cabletron's web site can be reached on the Internet at http://www.cabletron.com.