Vnetek Communications Acquires Digital Network Products Group From Cabletron Systems.

Business/Technology Editors

LONDONDERRY, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 26, 2000

Vnetek Communications, LLC, today announced the acquisition of the Digital Network Products Group (DNPG) from Cabletron Systems Inc. DNPG is a major provider of innovative networking products to customers worldwide and across a broad range of industries. DNPG has shipped over 1 million modules for the DEChub and MultiSwitch family of network chassis' and more than 1 million Access Servers.

"The Digital Network Products Group has all the attributes necessary for continued success and future growth," said Vic Capozzi, President of Vnetek. "Building on their excellent products, loyal customers, a well established worldwide distribution channel and an experienced and highly skilled workforce, we plan to rebuild DNPG into a major force in the networking industry."

DNPG will be established as a separate company with headquarters in Andover, MA. General Manager, Bill Burger, and its current management team will lead DNPG.

"DNPG has long been a leader and innovator in the networking industry. Our products have enabled enterprise customers to improve their competitiveness by integrating new network technologies and applications into their business while minimizing operational costs," Burger said. "We are excited by the growth opportunities, financial backing, international experience and enthusiasm Vnetek brings to DNPG. This will allow us to protect the investments in DNPG products made by our customers, deliver additional products lines, and provide increased business opportunities to our partners through a higher level of support from a DNPG organization 100% dedicated to their success."

DNPG's leadership in key network segments is based on the following innovations and major product lines:

-- The MultiSwitch 900 is the only switching platform that allows customers to
integrate all major LAN technologies - LAN switching, shared LAN connectivity,
device connectivity and wide area networking - and whose modules can be used
stand-alone or as part of the switching chassis. Over 48,000 switching
platforms have already been shipped.

-- The GIGAswitch/FDDI backbone switch, the MultiSwitch 900's FDDI
concentrators and uplinks, and industry leading FDDI adapters have given DNPG
the #1 market share position in the FDDI market. FDDI is the most reliable
network technology for mission critical applications.

-- The DECserver product line is the industry leader in terminal and device
connectivity for a wide range of applications including out of band management,
manufacturing floor device connectivity, remote access, terminal and office
device connectivity and console port aggregation.

DNPG is committed to enhancing current product lines to support new network applications and further improve the value delivered to its customers. DNPG also plans to introduce new product lines within the next few weeks, including workgroup switches and access products.

About Vnetek Communications, LLC

Headquartered in Londonderry, NH, Vnetek Communications is a privately held financial and joint venture specialist company focused on providing high quality refurbished networking products to large and small companies. Vnetek was founded in 1996 and has quickly grown into one of the largest suppliers of refurbished networking equipment in the world offering equipment from all the major manufacturers. For further information please contact Vic Capozzi at [phone] ext. 235 and visit http://www.vnetek.com.

About the Digital Network Products Group (DNPG)

The Digital Network Products Group is focused on providing innovative solutions that meet the complete workgroup and wiring closet networking needs of enterprise customers. DNPG offers multi-technology solutions that interconnect servers, desktops, office and manufacturing floor devices to support traditional business and web-based applications for commercial, manufacturing, and government customers. For more information on the Digital Network Products Group, please visit http://www.dnpg.com.

About Cabletron Systems

Cabletron Systems (NYSE:CS) is a holding company for innovative, customer-focused organizations in the telecommunications and networking industry. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange for more than a decade, Cabletron is an S&P 500-index company. Cabletron's web site can be reached on the Internet at http://www.cabletron.com.