Cisco Delivers Cost-Effective Ethernet-to-ATM Integration with the Catalyst 2820 Switch; New Modules Add Low-Cost Ethernet/ATM Connectivity to Cisco's Industry-Leading Portfolio of ATM Solutions

Business Wire, July 8, 1997

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 8, 1997--Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) today announced the availability of a new Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) module designed for the Catalyst 2820 series of Ethernet switches.

With the new ATM module, the Catalyst 2820 integrates low-cost Ethernet switching with connections to ATM LAN and WAN backbones, rounding out Cisco's comprehensive ATM offering.

"When our customers decide to go with ATM, there is often a concern as to how they can connect to Ethernet workgroup switches," said Steve Troyer, senior product manager at Cisco Systems. "Now, with the option of ATM on the Catalyst 2820, connecting low-cost Ethernet switches to an ATM backbone and servers is a viable option."

Cost-Effective ATM LAN Solution

With the new ATM module for the Catalyst 2820, users can provide dedicated Ethernet connections to individual workstations or shared Ethernet hubs to an ATM backbone cost effectively.

This solution enables customers to integrate small workgroups into larger ATM backbones that comprise other high-performance switches and intelligent routers such as the Catalyst 3000 series, the Catalyst 5000 series, the LightStream 1010 ATM switch, the Cisco 4500 router and Cisco series 7500 routers.

Extending the LAN to the WAN

Previously, service providers had limited choices for ATM edge devices that provide extended LAN services to customers over ATM multiservice backbones. These products were either too low in port density, lacked solid ATM integration or were too expensive.

With the new ATM interface module, the Catalyst 2820 will enable service providers to deploy more transparent LAN services over a consolidated ATM backbone. This solution is enhanced even more when combined with other Cisco IOS network services, providing true scalability, multiprotocol support, high performance, security and manageability.

Platform Flexibility

Currently, the Catalyst 2820 supports a broad range of choices for high-speed connectivity, including 100BaseTX modules with one or eight ports, 100BaseFX modules with one or four ports, FDDI modules with fiber single attachment station (SAS), fiber dual attachment station (DAS) or unshielded twisted pair (UTP) SAS ports, and ATM modules with one multimode fiber or one UTP connection.

Another feature of the Catalyst 2820 is that each module is hot-swappable, which allows users to easily change configurations real time. This feature minimizes the network downtime.

Pricing and Availability

The ATM 155 multimode fiber module for the Catalyst 2820 is available now and has a global list price of $3,495. The ATM 155 UTP version is also available now and lists for $2,995. The ATM 155 single-mode fiber module and the transparent LAN support will be available later this year. A bundled solution, which includes a Catalyst 2820 system with an ATM module and a switched 100BaseTX module for $6,995, is available now.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at http://www.cisco.com . -0-

Note to Editors: Cisco IOS is a trademark, and Catalyst, Cisco, Cisco Systems, the Cisco Systems logo and LightStream are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Cisco Systems, Inc.

Robert Barlow, 408/527-5018

rbarlow@cisco.com