Cisco Demonstrates Internet Lifestyle with End-to-End Home Networking Solution; Cisco, Whirlpool and Home Director Bring the Internet Home to Life at Connections 2000

Business Wire, May 3, 2000

Business/Technology Editors

Connections 2000

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2000

Cisco Systems, Inc., the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet; Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR), the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances; and Home Director, a market leader in home networking, today announced that they will demonstrate an end-to-end home networking solution at Connections 2000, a leading venue that seeks to advance the networked home.

Cisco will demonstrate its Internet Home Gateway integrated with Home Director's Network Connection Center, allowing broadband to be easily distributed via structured wiring. This powerful combination will provide consumers with another option for distributing high-speed Internet access throughout the home. In addition, Whirlpool will demonstrate its Internet-enabled kitchen, which includes an Internet refrigerator, smart oven and wireless web pad all residing on an open, standards-based network powered by Cisco's Internet Home Gateway.

"Cisco is teaming up with technology leaders to bring Internet devices and value-added services into the home in a simple and meaningful way," said Mike Moone, group vice president and general manager, Cisco's Consumer Line of Business. "Cisco's Internet Home Gateway will enable companies like Whirlpool and Home Director to quickly deliver best-of-breed Internet solutions to homes worldwide. We are excited to preview the emerging 'Internet Lifestyle' in action at Connections 2000."

The Cisco Internet Home Gateway, will deliver broadband to the home through digital subscriber line (DSL) and distribute it over any type of wiring - from home phone lines to Ethernet. This end-to-end solution will allow service providers to increase revenues by bundling value-added services, ultimately helping them enhance customer relationships. In addition, because Cisco is at the center of this offering, home integrators and builders will now have one company they can turn to for their home networking needs.

"Our work with Cisco will allow consumers to quickly take advantage of next generation home Internet products and services," said Ronald L. Kerber, Whirlpool executive vice president and chief technology officer. "Through Cisco's Internet Home Gateway, we will be able to deliver and deploy an advanced suite of intelligent appliances making consumer's lives easier and more enjoyable. We are committed to working with Cisco to make the Internet Home a reality."

In addition to Whirlpool and Home Director, Cisco's Internet Home at Connections 2000 will also feature Internet home security technology from Privada and Network ICE.

About Whirlpool

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances. Headquartered in Benton Harbor, MI, the company manufactures in 13 countries and markets products under 11 major brand names in more than 170 countries. Additional information about the company can be found at www.whirlpoolcorp.com.

About Home Director

Based in Morrisville, NC, Home Director, Inc. was launched in January of 2000 as an independent, entrepreneurial spin-off of the former IBM Home Networking Solutions unit. As a market leader in the home networking industry, Home Director has built a successful business focusing on both leading edge technologies and strategic channel development. Additional information about the company can be found at www.homedirector.net.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco is headquartered in San Jose, CA and additional information about the company can be found at www.cisco.com.

Cisco, Cisco IOS, Cisco Systems, the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.