Enterasys Networks Enhances the `Wireless' Experience and Receives Wi-Fi Certification From the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance

Business Wire, April 19, 2000

Business/Technology Editors

ROCHESTER, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2000

Enterasys Networks Receives Interoperability Certification for

RoamAbout(TM) Family - Providing a Global Platform for High-Speed

Wireless Networking Solutions

Enterasys Networks, a Cabletron Systems (NYSE:CS) company, is proud to announce that its RoamAbout(TM) wireless solutions have been awarded Wi-Fi(TM) certification by the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA). The WECA certification provides global customers with a standard for wireless technology, ensuring full product interoperability between vendors, straight out of the box.

The certification process provides vendors of 802.11b High-Rate (HR) wireless products with a global interoperability forum and testing environment, allowing consumers of wireless technology to be sure of vendor compatibility. Wi-Fi is a trademark of WECA, and its adoption by the global vendor community will allow it to be used as an alternative description for 802.11b HR, much in the same way that Ethernet is utilized for 802.3 standards.

"From the moment our customers install their first RoamAbout Access Point, the freedom to roam and remain connected to the network quickly becomes a crucial and totally integrated productivity enhancement," said Peter Beardmore, director of wireless product management at Enterasys Networks. " Enterasys Networks' RoamAbout solutions are already proving popular in both customer networks and industry testing, where we have earned many awards and accolades. The ability to assure customers of vendor interoperability is yet another positive signal for the growth of the high-speed wireless networking market."

The Wi-Fi Testing Process

Products awarded the Wi-Fi logo undergo strict, rigorous and independent testing at the Silicon Valley Networking Lab (SVNL). Testing usually takes between two to four days per product to complete. Uniquely equipped to operate the Wi-Fi certification program, SVNL has built a reputation for providing objective, high-quality testing services measuring performance, interoperability and functionality. To assure impartiality, WECA members work directly with SVNL to conduct the Wi-Fi certification testing. Only after products have successfully completed all phases of interoperability testing are vendors permitted to use the Wi-Fi interoperability certification logo.

Enterasys is now Wi-Fi certified for both its RoamAbout Access Point 2000 and RoamAbout PC Radio Card. In addition to proven vendor interoperability, these products have also been recognized throughout the industry for overall value, ease of use and special features. Features include its patent-pending "Power Injection" system which powers the access points through copper networking cables. Additional information regarding Enterasys Networks' wireless products can be found at their web site http://www.enterasys.com/technologies/wireless/

A Place to See it For Yourself

As new products pass testing, WECA will be making periodic additional certification announcements. WECA will also showcase interoperability in action at the upcoming NetWorld Interop 2000 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, May 7-12, 2000 in the WECA Pavilion (booth numbers 5223, 6269, 6905, 5775 and 8105). Enterasys Networks will be demonstrating their full WECA compliance at this exciting showcase.

About the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance

The Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (www.wi-fi.org ) is a non-profit organization formed in 1999 to certify interoperability of Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b High Rate) products and to promote Wi-Fi as the global wireless LAN standard across all market segments.

WECA has defined a test suite that defines how member products are tested to certify that they are interoperable with other vendor products. An independent test lab, The Silicon Valley Networking Lab, Inc., (www.svnl.com) conducts the testing. When a product successfully passes the test, the company will be granted the Wi-Fi seal of interoperability and may display the Wi-Fi logo on that product and its corresponding collateral material. Consumers are assured that any product bearing the Wi-Fi logo will work with other Wi-Fi products. Membership in WECA is open to all companies who support Wi-Fi, the standard for 2.4 GHz wireless LAN products, including any manufacturer that would like to submit its Wi-Fi based product for interoperability testing.

About Enterasys Networks

Enterasys Networks is the only provider of total network solutions singularly focused on enterprise-class customers. By optimizing enterprise network solutions for e-business applications, and by providing global 24 x 7 service and support, Enterasys provides competitive advantage through IT infrastructure to enterprise customers.

With over 15 years of experience in providing solutions to the world's largest corporate customers, Enterasys Networks is delivering hardware and software solutions that advance the capabilities of e-business focused companies. Enterasys Networks is focused on providing solutions for the e-business environment of the future, including voice over IP and video convergence, call center management, advanced application distribution, web hosting and e-business control, enterprise security and VPN solutions.