New company, Acclaim Communications, launches industry's first fully integrated Frame Relay Access Device; Series 3000 offers integrated, multi-protocol Frame Relay support.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 19, 1996--In a move to drive high-performance networks to a new price/performance level, four industry leaders Monday announced the launch of Santa Clara based start-up Acclaim Communications Inc.

Vish Akella, Dirk Christiansen, and Ravi Sajwan, pioneers of switching and WAN technology at Kalpana and Stratacom, have joined together with start-up veteran Dado Banato to found Acclaim Communications, which is premiering a new series of integrated switching and routing solutions for today's advanced LANs and WANs.

With this launch, the company is announcing availability of its first products: the Series 3000 family of integrated Frame Relay Access Device/Routers (FRAD/FRARs). The Series 3000 includes two products: the 3200FR, and the 3000FR.

"As high-speed networks evolve, many companies now depend on Frame Relay for more sites, for multiple types of data, and for non-data traffic such as voice and fax," said Acclaim President Vish Akella. "Organizations initially moved to Frame Relay to save money. However, as Frame Relay becomes a critical component of the network, issues such as management, scalability, and investment protection are now rising to the fore."

"Acclaim is addressing these issues with products that cut cost and simplify management with a new high-water mark in integration at the device level," Akella continued. "In addition, we're offering a clear migration path to ATM."

Although other vendors have some level of hardware integration, only Acclaim combines these features with a scaleable path to future technologies.

Traditionally, FRADs have been standalone products that connect serial devices to corporate backbones or public frame-relay networks via dedicated leased lines. FRARs have also been standalone devices serving as traditional routers. Acclaim saves customers money and simplifies Frame Relay access and management by merging the FRAD and FRAR into a single device.

The new 3200FR combines the functionality of a FRAD and multi-protocol FRAR into a single unit that includes an integral T1 or E1 CSU, a Bit-Error Rate Tester (BERT), two Ethernet ports, two high-speed synchronous serial ports, and two optional voice-over-Frame-Relay ports. Its price starts at $3,495. The 3200FR is ideal for branch offices or corporate headquarters where managers need to consolidate LAN and legacy data over a T1 or E1 trunk.

The 3000FR supports the routing of LAN protocols, such as IP and IPX, as a multi-protocol FRAR. Its hardware includes an integral 56K CSU, two Ethernet ports, and one optional voice-over-Frame-Relay port. Its price starts at $1,995. The 3000FR is perfect for branch offices and small corporate sites that consolidate LAN traffic over a 56K digital leased line. No other vendor provides this price/value and level of integration in the marketplace.

Both products are ideal for Internet sites because of their strong security and rich IP support. The products are fully integrated for simple out-of-the-box operation. Both provide unprecedented scalability, with the ability to route over dedicated WAN connections and Frame Relay, and, in the 3200FR, the ability to upgrade to ATM routing over T1 or E1 as a Cell Relay Access Device (CRAD).

Availability

The Series 3000 products are available now.

Acclaim Communications is a privately held company based in Santa Clara. The company combines switching and routing technology to offer unique, easy-to-manage LAN and WAN connectivity solutions at unheralded costs. The result is a powerful network architecture with no limitations on bandwidth or growth. For more information about Acclaim Communications, users can contact the company at 408/327-0100, x100.

CONTACT: Network Associates Inc., Provo, Utah

Trevor Allred and Cheryl Snapp, 801/373-7888

E-mail: [e-mail]

E-mail: [e-mail]

or

Acclaim Communications Inc., Santa Clara

Dirk Christiansen, 408/327-0100 x105

E-mail: [e-mail]