UMAX Provides Small to Medium-Sized Firms Secure, High-Speed LAN-Connected Gateway to Internet.

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 21, 1999--

Combination Gateway and Firewall Gives Secure Access

for Up to 253 Users Over Cable or ADSL Modem for Less Than $400

UMAX Technologies, Inc., a leader in computer and digital imaging technologies, today announced an Internet access solution, the UGate-3000, that offers small to medium-sized firms a secure firewall and Internet gateway for up to 253 simultaneous users.

Priced under $400, this newest member of the UGate family of Internet access solutions gives a firm's high-speed LAN (local area network) a secure and load-efficient way to go online through an always-on, high-bandwidth cable or ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) Internet modem connection.

Cable and ADSL connections are substantially faster than traditional analog modems but cost much less than a traditional high-end T1 line. The UGate-3000 leverages these increasingly popular, affordable broadband technologies to give each user on a LAN access to e-mail, the World Wide Web, FTP file transfers and other Internet services, using a single IP address.

The UGate-3000 helps to solve another cable/ADSL problem as well. UGate-3000's NAT (Network Address Translation) mechanism reduces the internal LAN's exposure through the always-on broadband connection to incursions by Internet-based hackers, crackers, vandals and thieves.

"The UGate-3000 offers the most cost-effective way to share a single high-speed Cable or ADSL Internet connection over a LAN," said Janus Hao, product marketing manager of UMAX's Networking Communications Division. "At the same time, it helps solve an extremely vexing problem for small-to-medium sized businesses shifting to always-on connections. It is the first Internet sharing gateway product that integrates the advantage of Cable/ADSL modem and Dynamic DNS technology. Our all-in-one solution provides employees and customers the benefit of broadband access without inviting the hackers in, all at an unprecedented, very affordable price point."

Flexible Configuration, Management & Ease-of-Use

The UGate-3000 can be seamlessly configured for either cable or ADSL and supports PCs, Macs or any other platform that can maintain a TCP/IP network connection. By sharing one IP address over the LAN, users can do away with expensive, multiple connections. A single ISP account can support the entire LAN, including up to 256 simultaneous users.

The UGate-3000 can be configured in minutes. An easy-to-use interface controls the built-in, 4-port 10/100 hub as well as a unique Dynamic DNS (domain name service) that expands Internet usage and convenience. An embedded HTTP server allows easy configuration for authorized access using any standard web browser over the Internet or any local workstation across the LAN.

The UGate-3000 can also be connected to a router, to provide fast LAN access by a satellite office with no need to reconfigure the local network. In addition, the UGate-3000 can act as a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, eliminating the time it takes to configure each local system on the network individually. When configured as a DHCP client on a WAN (wide area network), the UGate-3000 is ready to receive local configuration information, automatically, from the ISP.

Dynamic Domain Name Service

The UGate-3000 Dynamic DNS technology is a free service provided by UMAX and powered by Tzo.Com. Dynamic DNS service gives each user a unique Sub-Domain within the Ugate.net domain. Because Dynamic DNS service is built into the Ugate-3000 firmware, anyone with a Dynamic IP address can get a static domain name for use on the Internet.

If a firm's ISP only provides a Dynamic IP account, with an address that changes from one use to the next, the Ugate.Net Sub-Domain name will never change. In one typical use of this technology, customers or remote employees can connect to a computer as CompanyName.Ugate.net instead of having to look up a Dynamic, ever-changing IP address. The result is much faster access.

When UGate-3000 users create a free, one-year name for this service, they avoid additional charges to set up a domain name with InterNIC or one of a confusingly large and still growing number of secondary name registration services. The Ugate.Net domain is all they need.

Once a user has created a domain name, other people can reach them over the Internet, by name. Computers attached to the UGate-3000 can become host machines for individual Web, FTP, Mail or any other type of server. Such use is ideal for hosting Internet servers and for use with videoconferencing such as Netmeeting and other TCP/IP enabled applications.

Network Security

The UGate-3000 firewall provides standard access authorization services. It also can be configured to limit Internet access or to block any specific port, in order to deny certain types of Internet request that can be misused as "hacker exploits."

The UGate-3000 uses NAT (Network Address Translation) technology to keep Internet intruders from reaching computers behind the built-in firewall. UMAX offers a protected virtual server feature to give Internet users limited access the internal LAN. Firms with existing security measures can configure the UGate-3000 as an "exposed computer" with unrestricted access to Web, FTP and other services once a user is authorized.

UGate Family of Products

The UGate-3000 joins a family of UGate products which already includes the UGate-Plus and the UGate-II for SOHO users. The UGate-II offers LAN access to the Internet through a four-port 10BaseT hub with integrated gateway and dual WAN access over ISDN or standard modem analog lines.

Pricing and Availability

The UGate-3000 is available immediately for an estimated street price (ESP) of $399.95. The UGate-Plus, $349.95 ESP, and the UGate-II, $299 ESP, also are available immediately. For specific sales and distribution information, contact UMAX at 800/562-0311, 510/492-5796 or visit the UMAX UGate page on the Web at http://ugate.umax.com.

About Tzolkin Corporation

Tzolkin Corporation (Tzo.com) is a leader in Dynamic DNS technology for home and small business users. The company helps such users obtain domain names for their home or small business computers, even if they only have a Dynamic IP address. Tzolkin Corporation offers many flexible Dynamic DNS, Domain and Mail hosting services that let home or small business users get more from their Internet connections.

Tzolkin also publishes other popular technology websites including www.CableModemInfo.com and www.HomePNA.com, which focus on Cable Modem and Home Networking Technologies respectively. Visit http://www.tzo.com, or contact TZO Toll Free at 877/433-6865.

About UMAX Technologies, Inc.

UMAX Technologies, Inc. is a technology leader in the design and distribution of a full line of imaging, computer, and networking products. The company maintains its leadership position in the imaging market with a broad line of desktop scanners, digital cameras and multimedia devices for the capture and manipulation of video images.

In addition, UMAX designs and markets PC workstations, notebook computers, and network communications products for the Workgroup and Departmental, SOHO, and Internet markets. UMAX products are marketed through retail, mail order, regional and national distributors, and VARS. UMAX also sells its products direct to OEMs.

For sales information and technical support, visit the UMAX home page on the Web at: http://www.umax.com, or contact UMAX at 510/651-4000 or 800/562-0311. UMAX is located at 3561 Gateway Boulevard, Fremont, California, 94538.

Note to Editors: Tzolkin, TZO, the Tzolkin and the TZO logos are trademarks of the Tzolkin Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.