NobleNet Inc. Unveils Nouveau: The Industry's First the complexit COM, Java, and RPC-based applications, while lowering operational costs and improving performance and productivity.

NATICK, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 8, 1998--Cognex Corporation ( and the availability of shares. Funds for the o a $20 million stock repurchase announced by common stock on the open market at an average chine vision industry, having shipped to date more than 75,000 machine vision systems. Cognex's Modular Visiohe manufacture of a wide range of discrete itemsurfaces of products manufactured in a continuoEurope, and Southeast Asia. Visit Cognex on-line at http://www.cognex.com.

CONTOMED COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS Today's News On Ttions and Williams Network Test Breakthrough Ope trials of Ascend's GX 550 'Smart' Core ATM swompanies to deploy these technologies in the public netw

"We're already utilizing Ascend's GX 550 ATecture," said Frank Semple, president of Williah the optical network."

"This technology ewith two leading DWDM solutions: OMDS from Pirelli Cables & Systems Worldwide and MultiWave Sentry(TM) from CIENA Corp. Pirelli is a global manufacturer of communications and power cables and systems. CIENA is a provider of DWDM systems for long-distance and local exchange carriers.

Currently underway, the interoperability testing is taking place in Williams Resource Center in Tulsa, Okla. A live field trial will occur on the Williams network between Washington D.C. and Atlanta in July.

These tests are the first of their kind where additional bandwidth will be created by extending the capabilities of an existing OC-192 SONET architecture. Joint testing has been focused on error-free transmission by the DWDM systems, path protection by the GX 550, and successful management of performance monitoring between the two systems.

"The successful demonstration that Pirelli's T-31 OMDS 1632 system is transparent to ATM traffic opens the door to numerous possibilities for customer cost-savings and shorter turn-up times," said Neal Stoker, director of marketing for PC&SNA's Telecom Systems Division.

"Optical multiplexing technology allows the customer to increase network capacity without the cost of adding fiber and without the wait that installation of new fiber entails. Cost objectives for rack space, powering and fiber usage are optimized. Ascend, Williams Network and Pirelli understand the needs of the networks of the future and have combined to provide a future-proof bandwidth solution."

"We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with Ascend and Williams to define the next generation converged network, where ATM natively interfaces to WDM equipment," said Larry Huang, senior vice president of sales and marketing for CIENA. "We have committed $2 million worth of equipment to demonstrate that these networks can be built today with innovations like Ascend's "Smart" Core GX 550 ATM switches. This architecture positions Williams for continued success."

The adoption of optical networking solutions with Ascend's GX 550 ATM switches gives Williams several benefits including reduced cost for network operations, higher reliability and increased revenue opportunities.

By directly connecting the Ascend GX 550 switch to DWDM equipment, service providers, like Williams, can now eliminate the need for costly transmission equipment such as SONET/SDH Add-Drop Multiplexors as they build new network infrastructures optimized to carry data and other legacy TDM services.

This simplified network architecture also offers increased revenue-generation opportunities and enables Williams to rapidly introduce new products while ensuring end-to-end performance and service level management.

The interoperability tests support Ascend's strategy for expanding the reach of its multiservice core switching technology to reconstruct legacy transmission networks. This reconstruction of the public network enables a simplified network infrastructure, a reduction in hardware equipment requirements, and stronger management functions across the network.

The Ascend approach to optical networking leverages the company's multiservice core technology to deliver all services -- Internet Protocol (IP), Frame Relay (FR), ATM, private line and voice -- from one network. (For more information, please see the "Ascend Communications Reconstructs Core Transmission Network Layer and Advances the New Public Network" press release.)

"We're not just talking about pioneering optical networking with ATM switches -- we're doing it today," said Jeffry Kiel, director of product marketing for Ascend Communications, Inc.

"No other networking company is better equipped to develop the next generation network alongside innovative network service providers, like Williams. These interoperability tests illustrate our commitment to help customers meet their business objectives."

Williams is the first carrier to introduce a fully integrated, linear architecture and the latest solutions in optical networking to support all of its wholesale services. This new broadband multiservice network enable Williams to rapidly introduce new products while ensuring end-to-end performance and service level management.

Current services supported across Williams Broadband Multiservice Network(TM) include private line, IP, FR, ATM and DWDM delivering up to 80 gigabits per second on a single-fiber OC-192 system. About Williams

Williams, through its subsidiaries, is the nation's largest-volume transporter of natural gas and provides a full range of traditional and leading-edge energy and communications services.

In addition to Williams Network , its communications enterprises include nationwide single-source business communications systems integration; international video satellite and fiber-optic transmission; multipoint video-and audio-conferencing; satellite business applications; interactive technical training; on-demand distance learning; and Internet, wireless and telemarketing services.

Company information is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.twc.com, http://www.wilcom.com and http://www.willtales.com. About Ascend Communications

Ascend Communications, Inc. develops, manufactures, sells and services wide area networking solutions for telecommunications carriers, Internet service providers and corporate customers worldwide.

Press and industry analysts, please contact Julie Asher, Alexander Communications, 404/897-2300 or [e-mail]. Investors and financial analysts, please contact Kristina Graziano, 510/747-2345 or [e-mail]. For all other inquiries please call toll-free: 800/ASCEND4.

For more information about Ascend and its products, please visit the Ascend Web site at www.ascend.com, or send e-mail to [e-mail]. Ascend is headquartered at One Ascend Plaza, 1701 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, CA 94502; phone is 800/ASCEND4 and fax is 510/814-2300. -0-

Note to Editors: The foregoing statements may contain forward looking statements that are based on current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from these expectations as a result of factors including, but not limited to, the company's success in developing, introducing or shipping new products, competition, the mix of distribution channels employed, the company's dependence on single or limited source suppliers for certain components used in its products, risks inherent in international sales, seasonality and general economic conditions. These and other factors are discussed in Ascend's 10-K, 10-Q and other filings made periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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    CONTACT: Ascend Communications, Inc.
              Michael Robinson, 978/952-1576
              [e-mail]
               or
              Williams Communications
              Gil Broyles, 918/588-4740
              [e-mail]
               or
              Alexander Communications
              Julie Asher, 404/897-2300
              [e-mail]