Actiontec Announces Home Networking Starter Kits; Entry Level Starter Kits Provide Easy-To-Use Single Room Solutions

Business Wire, May 3, 1999

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 1999--

Retail Vision- Actiontec Electronics, Inc., a leading manufacturer of data communications products, today announced two single-room home networking starter kits. The new entry-level starter kits provide inexpensive home networking solutions to every consumer. In addition to allowing both computers to share files and peripherals and even enjoy multi-player games, both kits include the revolutionary, patent-pending DynaNAT(TM) networking software from Actiontec. Besides making network setup a breeze, the DynaNAT software allows both computers to surf the Internet from just one Internet connection.

For the ultimate in low cost and ease of connection, the $29.99 ActionLink Serial to Serial Single-Room Starter Kit connects two desktop or laptop computers, up to fifteen feet apart, through the serial ports available on both PC's.

The ActionLink USB to USB Single-Room Starter Kit offers USB (Universal Serial Bus) plug-and-play convenience. The $49.99 ActionLink USB to USB Single-Room Starter Kit connects two desktop or laptop computers up to 17 feet apart via the USB port available on newer computers. The high performance networking solution can move a 5.6MB file in just 11 seconds.

The acclaimed DynaNAT software included with the kits allows users to simultaneously share files and peripherals while they surf the Internet with a single ISP account, telephone line, and modem. The unique DynaNAT dynamic server technology automatically and transparently determines which computer to use as the Internet gateway. If both computers have Internet access, DynaNAT will select the most powerful computer as the gateway, then transparently reassign the connection to the other machine's modem if the first machine is shut down. The software includes firewall protection to prevent hackers from breaking into the computers and allows parents to block out access to undesirable Internet sites.

"Actiontec's Single-Room Starter Kits are an ideal, ultra-inexpensive way for consumers to see for themselves the ease and convenience of home networking and Actiontec's unique DynaNAT software," commented Alex Hewko, VP of Channel Sales and Marketing for Actiontec. "The easy installation and step-by-step instructions ensure even inexperienced users will be up and running in less than thirty minutes."

The ActionLink Serial to Serial Single-Room Starter Kit includes a 15-foot serial cable, DynaNAT Networking Software CD, a free game CD, and installation guide. The ActionLink USB to USB Single-Room Starter Kit includes one USB cable, DynaNAT Networking Software CD, a free game CD, and installation guide. Both kits are backed with a five-year warranty.

About ActionLink

The new starter kits are the latest members of Actiontec's ActionLink family, of plug-n-play home networking products that give families and small offices the ability to share files and peripherals, and provides simultaneous Internet access using one Internet Service Provider (ISP) account, one telephone line and one modem. Significantly reducing phone and Internet access costs, ActionLink eliminates the need to buy duplicate printers, scanners, backup devices and other peripherals for each PC.

The DynaNAT software automatically and transparently handles all the details of determining which computer on the network is best suited to operate as the Internet gateway, connecting to an ISP, routing traffic between computers on the network, and dynamically switching between servers when a PC is shut down. This capability is vital in a home network, where there is no system administrator to set up the TCP/IP parameters required by conventional Internet gateways, and no control over when individual machines are turned on or off.

The ActionLink Serial to Serial Single-Room Starter Kit runs on Windows 95 and Windows 98. The ActionLink USB to USB Single-Room Starter Kit runs on Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT (NDIS device driver). Both support virtually any kind of Internet connection, including dial up modem, ISDN, xDSL, cable modem and dedicated T1 circuit.

Actiontec's ActionLink Home Networking Kits are available through retail outlets nationwide. For more information contact 408/752-7700 or visit http://www.actiontec.com.

About Actiontec

Actiontec Electronics, Inc. is a significant global player in the data communications marketplace. The company's product line includes a complete line of Home Networking products, Mobile and Desktop Fax/Modems, and Ethernet cards, as well as Internal and External PC Card Read/Write Drives for SmartMedia, CompactFlash and ATA Flash PC Cards. Actiontec products have been recognized with a Best of Show award at Retail Xchange, the Editors Choice award from CNET's computer.com, and an Editors Choice award from Computer Retail Week. Actiontec products are available through national distribution and retail outlets as well as through private label and OEM relationships. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, and maintains branch offices in Philadelphia, PA, Government Sales in Arlington, VA, and International Sales in Irvine, CA.