Network General Announces the new ISDN Package for the Sniffer Internetwork Analyzer to Support ISDN Networks; Analysis Tool Specifically Designed to Enable and Maintain ISDN Network Support for "Killer Applications"

Business Wire, Sept 25, 1995

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 1995--Network General Corporation (NASDAQ:NETG), a leading network fault and performance management solutions provider, today announced that the new ISDN Package will provide network analysis and protocol decodes for two types of Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) circuits -- Basic Rate Interface (BRI) and Primary Rate Interface (PRI).

The ISDN Package running on the Sniffer Internetwork Analyzer provides protocol decodes for National ISDN 1 and 2 (U.S.), EuroISDN (Europe), AT&T Custom, Northern Telecom NTT ISNet (Japan) to support the various ISDN switch standards.

Network managers can now support and manage ISDN "killer applications" such as integrated messaging, desktop-to-desktop video conferencing, collaborative medicine and other applications that require simultaneous transmission of images, voice and data with a familiar interface and powerful features they have come to expect from Network General's Sniffer products.

"ISDN is the enabling technology behind the next wave of communications technologies, including video conferencing, Internet access and fast, digital transmission of data," said Don Spalinger, vice president of worldwide communications at Dataquest. "As ISDN's popularity rises, field organizations and end-users need the tools to manage and maintain ISDN on both LAN and WAN networks. Network General's ISDN Package will broaden its network fault and performance capabilities."

"There is a strong need for protocol troubleshooting capabilities for ISDN networks," said Ronald Gee, general manager at Network Architects. "While ISDN is not new, we are only now seeing widespread implementation, and there is a lack of solid technical experience to support it. It's a big plus that Network General, a leader in network management, will be there with a familiar interface to support an unfamiliar technology."

About ISDN

ISDN provides digital transmission of images, voice and data on the same physical line. BRI is made up of three channels, two 64Kbs/bearer (or "B") channels for the content, and one 16Kbs/data (or "D") channel to carry the signal between the phone connection and local phone company. The BRI connection provides transmission speeds of up to 128Kb/s -- which is capable of full motion video conferencing. PRI provides 23 B D or 30 B D which is equal to a T1 speed of 1.54Mb/s or 2.04Mb/s respectively. ISDN is a good economical choice for handling real-time images, voice and data since it is available at charges similar to phone/Internet access.

About the ISDN Package for the Sniffer Internetwork Analyzer

ISDN is key to setting up branch offices, using remote servers, workgroup connectivity and Internet access -- a new area of technology for business process implementation. As companies continue to deploy ISDN, network managers are faced with a new technology that needs to be "seen" on the network. Network General's ISDN Package for the Sniffer Internetwork Analyzer enables quick identification of the ISDN BRI and PRI circuits through direct access.

Inherent in all Sniffer products, Network General provides the full seven layer support on LAN protocols over ISDN routed networks. Filtering capacity for call numbers is available to give the network manager complete visibility of all calls into and out of a customer's ISDN network. Shipping in January for PRI, and in Q1 '96 for BRI connections, the ISDN Package will be a separate chargeable option for the Sniffer Internetwork Analyzer.

About Network General

Founded in 1986, Network General Corporation (NASDAQ:NETG) is a worldwide leader in providing fault and performance management solutions for enterprise networks. Drawing upon its extensive experience in complex heterogeneous network environments, the company offers a suite of technologies, products and services designed to provide extensive visibility into the network for equipment vendors field service organizations and corporate IS managers.

The company's Sniffer network analyzer is recognized as the de facto standard within this industry. Network General's products are sold through a direct sales organization in the U.S. and through distributors in the Americas, Asia and Europe. Network General supports the Certified Network Expert (CNX) program, a industry-wide certification program recognizing qualified expert network analyzers. Worldwide headquarters are located at 4200 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park California, 94025. URL: http://www.ngc.com; Telephone: 415/473-2000, or 800/SNIFFER (764-3337).

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Note to Editors: Network General and Sniffer are registered trademarks of Network General. All other registered and unregistered trademarks above are the sole property of their respective owners. All specifications may be changed without notice.

CONTACT: Network General

Erin Bergamo, 415/473-2973

erinb@ngc.com

or

Blanc & Otus

Kelly Ryan, 415/512-0500

kryan@bando.com