Cabletron and Xylogics introduce communications server functionality for enterprise class stackable hubs; Supports remote client access, multi-user host access and on-demand remote office access

Business Wire, May 30, 1995

ROCHESTER, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 1995--Cabletron Systems (NYSE: CS) and Xylogics Inc. (NASDAQ: XLGX) today announced the Micro-CS, a communications server module for Cabletron's MicroMMAC family of Ethernet stackable hubs.

The combination of the MicroMMAC and Micro-CS extends enterprise caliber internetworking functionality including remote client access, communications server, SNA and wide area connectivity to the corporate branch office.

Based on Xylogics Remote Annex 2000 communications server technology, the Micro-CS provides remote client access, multi-user host access and on-demand remote office access. The Micro-CS adds seven 115.2 K bit/sec asynchronous ports to the MicroMMAC's 12 ports of Ethernet connectivity, allowing a wide range of serial devices to be attached including remote X-Terminals, printers and PCs.

For remote offices that need to be linked back to a regional or corporate office on an "as needed" basis but can't cost-justify a dedicated WAN link, the Micro-CS supports dial-up routed links for TCP/IP, IPX and AppleTalk. The product also supports the Point-to-Point Protocol, Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP) and Compress SLIP (CSLIP). Offices can also maintain a dedicated WAN link through Cabletron's Bridge Router Interface Modules (BRIMs).

The Micro-CS' flexible connectivity options provide users with access to local or WAN-attached services such as electronic mail and databases, as well as NetWare, TCP/IP and AppleTalk file servers. As remote users dial-in, the Micro-CS automatically detects which network protocol the user requires and configures the port for the duration of the call, alleviating the need for network managers to dedicate ports or telephone lines for multiprotocol environments.

"The Micro-CS rides the crest of a worldwide remote access market that is expanding 85 percent per year and will exceed $2 billion by the end of 1997," said Greg Cline, program director for the Business Research Group. "Whether the user is at a remote office or a remote site, the Micro-CS makes an important contribution to the mobile computing/remote access market. Cabletron's timing for the Micro-CS could not be better."

Manageable through Cabletron's SPECTRUM for Open Systems family of network management products, as well as any SNMP-based management system, the Micro-CS also supports Remote Monitoring capabilities. Through support for Cabletron's Distributed LAN Monitor (DLM) functionality, the Micro-CS leverages Cabletron's ability to localize SNMP polling to reduce management traffic overhead and preserve WAN bandwidth. The Micro-CS also offers a common security table for remote users, allowing policy-based rules to be deployed similar to those on their corporate network.

Pricing of the Micro-CS as an upgrade to the MicroMMAC starts at $2,695 (U.S. dollars). Also available as a preconfigured remote access and hub unit, the MicroMMAC with the Micro-CS is priced at $7,695 (U.S. dollars). Both the upgrade and preconfigured unit are available in 90 days.

Xylogics, headquartered in Burlington, Mass., with offices in the UK, France, Germany, and Japan, offers a complete line of network access products supporting remote LAN access, remote host access and dial-up routing in a single platform. Xylogics supplies network access products to a number of computer networking manufacturers. ISO-9001 certified, Xylogics sold over 525,000 ports in calendar year 1994. Xylogics products are sold by 100 resellers worldwide and are available for distribution from Westcon Inc. of Eastchester, N.Y.

Headquartered in Rochester, N.H., Cabletron employs more than 5,000 people in over 80 offices around the world. The worldwide modular hub market leader, Cabletron is ISO-9001 certified. Cabletron develops, manufactures and markets Ethernet, FDDI, Token Ring and ATM internetworking products based on its Synthesis product framework.

Cabletron directly services more than 70,000 customer sites around the globe and provides 7 x 24 support coverage, with free phone support during normal business hours. A component of the S&P 500 index, Cabletron's common stock is traded over the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CS. The company recently reported record revenue of $810.7 million and earnings of $162 million for the fiscal year 1995.

Cabletron's World Wide Web site can be reached on the Internet at http//www.ctron.com. -0-

Cabletron, SPECTRUM, SPECTRUM for Open Systems and MicroMMAC are registered trademarks of Cabletron Systems. Xylogics is a registered trademark of Xylogics Inc. Annex is a trademark of Xylogics. All other products or services found in this document are identified by the trademarks or services marks of their respective companies or organizations.

CONTACT: Cabletron Systems, Rochester

Darren Orzechowski, 603/337-1282

e-mail: darreno@ctron.com

or

Xylogics Inc., Burlington

Lisa Allocca, 617/272-8140 x350

e-mail: allocca@xylogics.com