NETGEAR Launches New Generation of Gigabit over Copper Products for the Small Office; Copper Gigabit Ethernet Card and Switch Provide Maximum Performance at Break-through Price.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 17, 2001

NETGEAR Inc., a provider of small business and home networking products, today announced the availability of its GA622T, NETGEAR's new 1000BASE-T Gigabit over Copper Ethernet Card.

The GA622T is the latest product in the next generation of NETGEAR's award-winning family of standards-based gigabit products. With extensive driver support, the GA622T speeds up networks, eliminates bottlenecks and comes at a break-through price. Teamed with the GS508T, NETGEAR's latest 1000BASE-T Gigabit over Copper Ethernet switch, the GA622T completes an end-to-end gigabit solution that is tailored both economically and functionally to the needs of small businesses.

"The rapid growth of the gigabit over copper market is very exciting," said Lauri Vickers, senior analyst of Cahners In-Stat Group. "Just within the last half of 2000, close to 120,000 gigabit over copper ports were shipped worldwide. We expect a compounded annual growth rate of 75 percent between the year 2000 to 2004 and NETGEAR is certainly a well known player with its gigabit over copper products for the small business market."

The high-performance, 100/1000 Mbps adapter is ideal for a 1 Gbps server supporting multiple 100 Mbps clients. The card accelerates the network to 1000 Mbps over Cat5 networking cables and eliminates the problem of network bottlenecks. It comes equipped with drivers that support all popular operating systems - including Windows, Novell NetWare and Red Hat Linux - and is optimized for peak server performance. The versatile GA622T provides the ultimate throughput with 64-bit PCI connections, and speeds up legacy 32-bit PCI systems as well.

"Until now, steep prices and complicated features have restricted these products to enterprise customers," said Patrick Lo, president and chief executive officer of NETGEAR. "The GA622T delivers the highest performance and a new level of gigabit over copper pricing. At half the price what earlier adapters cost, this solution is well within reach of the small business IT and PC manager."

The GS508T, NETGEAR's new 8-port Gigabit over Copper Ethernet switch, provides optimal price/performance that is unmatched in the market. Eight 10/100/1000 Mbps auto-negotiating ports in NETGEAR's high-performance GS508T give small business networks high-speed connectivity without the cost and hassle of fiber cables. Built with a 16 Gbps backplane, the GS508T provides network users unfettered access to the backbone and servers. The product will be available later this quarter.

"NETGEAR is providing a complete end-to-end gigabit solution for an incredible price," said Vivek Pathela, director of product marketing at NETGEAR. "Self-configuring, with simple plug-and-play installation, the powerful GS508T is the ideal backbone to upgrade power workgroups, data centers and server farms to 1000 Mbps speeds. We offer a complete end-to-end gigabit solution for small business networks at an unmatched low price."

GA622T Copper Gigabit Ethernet Adapter - Key Features & Benefits

-- High-performance -- Speed up your network to 1000 Mbps over standard Cat 5
networking cables, blasting through the problem of network bottlenecks to the
server.

-- Effective -- Optimized drivers for peak server performance

-- Accommodating -- Extensive driver support for interoperability within all
major operating systems, including Windows 95 OSR2, Windows 98, Windows ME,
Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Novell NetWare 4.2, 5.0, 5.1, Red Hat Linux 6.1,
6.2

-- Resourceful -- Works with both 64-bit PCI buses and 32-bit PCI buses, and
automatically adjusts for straight-through or crossover cables.

-- Easygoing -- Simple plug-and-play installation, interoperable with other
IEEE 802.3ab 1000BASE-T products

-- Tech Support -- Toll-free 24x7 technical support

-- Five-year warranty

-- MSRP -- $180.00

GS508T Copper Gigabit Ethernet Switch - Key Features & Benefits

-- Capable and Affordable -- Copper Gigabit ports provide

high-performance backbone connectivity between workgroups,

data centers and server farms at a low cost

-- Accessible -- Multiple users can simultaneously access the

backbone and servers without network congestion

-- Powerful -- Delivers up to 11.8 million packets per second as

it supports up to 8,000 users or devices on the network

-- Savvy -- Eight, 10/100/1000 auto-negotiating ports

automatically sense the proper speed and operate at the

optimum rate

-- Rack-mountable -- Can be positioned where it's most convenient

-- close to servers, at the heart of your network

-- Easy-going -- Simple plug-and-play installation, interoperable

with other IEEE 802.3ab 1000BASE-T products

-- Tech Support -- Toll-free 24x7 technical support

-- Five-year warranty

-- MSRP -- $1725.00

NETGEAR's Powershift VAR Program

NETGEAR's Powershift program was developed with the VAR's business needs in mind. The program offers VAR partners education and support to enable them to deliver the latest networking solutions to small businesses. For more information on the Powershift program, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.netgear.com.

About NETGEAR Inc.

NETGEAR provides affordable, easy-to-use networking solutions for homes and small businesses worldwide. Recently spun-off from Nortel Networks (NYSE:NT), NETGEAR designs and develops products that enable home and small business users to share Internet access, peripherals, digital content and applications among multiple personal computers and other Internet-enabled devices. The company markets and sells its products through a global network of resellers, including more than 4,500 retail stores, mail-order catalogs and online retailers. Additionally, NETGEAR offers customers free support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NETGEAR has its headquarters in Santa Clara, California. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.netgear.com or call (408/907-8000).