Netopia Adds IPSec Security to Business-Class DSL Routers; Netopia is First to Bundle IPSec VPN Security in R-Series DSL Routers, Supporting the Most Advanced VPN Solutions

Business Wire, Oct 17, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 17, 2000

Netopia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTPA), a market leader in providing Broadband Internet equipment and e-commerce Web platforms to small and medium size businesses, today released 4.8 firmware that introduces Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) support for all R-series routers, from V.90 analog and ISDN to T1 and DSL.

"By adding IPSec as a standard part of our R-series feature set, our service partners can now offer an all-in-one solution and compete in new markets requiring advanced levels of security," said Chris Willrich, Vice President, Business Development and Product Marketing at Netopia. "Netopia's integrated IPSec complements its existing PPTP solution, affording small and medium size business owners and service providers a range of options in how they set up and manage VPN networks."

VPN is growing as a means to enable businesses to securely connect to branch offices, telecommuters and partners. Service providers are facilitating this growth by developing VPN service bundles targeted to the needs of retail establishments, businesses with distributed branch offices and businesses that utilize extranets to connect to suppliers, partners and key customers.

"The 4.8 firmware release furthers Netopia's commitment to small and medium size businesses," said Jimmy Lam, Manager of Product Marketing at Pacific Century CyberWorks' (formerly Hong Kong Telecom). "IPSec is an increasingly required feature for business applications because of its advanced security and growing interoperability. Many extranet applications are requiring small and medium size businesses to implement IPSec even when their own security needs are met with more modest techniques such as PPTP. Netopia fulfills both requirements, providing businesses the simple PPTP approaches as well as the more robust IPSec protocols."

Standard features of Netopia R-series routers include:

-- A built-in firewall to protect a company's network resources

-- Secure VPN client and server, which lets businesses securely connect to
branch offices, telecommuters and partners

-- A built-in 4- or 8-port hub for easier LAN integration

-- Business-class diagnostic and management utilities including Ping, Trace
Route, Syslog and Telnet client

-- Advanced routing capabilities including static and dynamic MultiNAT and
support for DHCP client, server and relay agent

Features available on select R-series routers:

-- An extensible modular architecture to allow router expansion

and WAN upgrades

-- Integrated V.90 analog or ISDN dial backup, which ensures

redundancy for mission-critical Internet connectivity

-- DSL Bonding, which allows customers to join up four IDSL or up

to two SDSL circuits into a single "virtual pipe" for

connection speeds of over 3 Mbps

About Netopia

Netopia, Inc. develops, markets and supports Internet and electronic commerce infrastructure for small and medium size businesses. Netopia's DSL equipment and e-commerce Web platforms enable businesses to connect easily and cost-effectively to the Internet, establish and enhance their Internet presence, and conduct business and electronic commerce on the Web.

With its Netopia DSL Router family, the Company is interoperable with all major central office equipment suppliers, including Alcatel, Cisco, Copper Mountain Networks, Lucent Technologies, Nokia, Orckit, Paradyne, and Siemens; and has established strategic distribution relationships with leading CLECs including Covad Communications, NorthPoint Communications, Rhythms NetConnections, MegaPath Networks, Inc. and Jato Communications; and with hundreds of ISPs and carriers including France Telecom, Telecom Italia, Verizon, PSINet, Verio, UUNet, Earthlink Network, and Concentric Network.

With its Netopia e-commerce Web platform, the Company has established Web-based services with Bloomberg.com, Citigroup's bizzed.com, Cendant Corporation, Jato Communications, Everdream, France Telecom, and Mac Publishing's Macworld.com.

Headquartered in Alameda, Calif., Netopia's common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the symbol "NTPA." Further information about Netopia can be obtained via phone 510/814-5100, fax 510/814-5021 or on the web at www.netopia.com.

Portions of this release include forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Netopia, Inc.'s actual results could differ materially from the results discussed in this release and in the forward-looking statements contained herein for many reasons. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to product development, product acceptance, licensing opportunities and general economic conditions. For more information concerning Netopia and risk factors that may affect Netopia's future results and may cause actual results to vary from results anticipated in forward-looking statements, investors should review Netopia's public filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available by calling Netopia at 510/814-5260 or online at www.sec.gov.