NETGEAR Launches Powerful Cable/DSL Wireless Router With 4-Port Switch and Integrated Access Point for the Small Business Market

Business Wire, June 12, 2001

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 12, 2001

MR314 Wireless Router Provides Reliable Performance and

Unmatched Features, Including Content Filtering, Logging and

Reporting, Firewall Security, 128 Bit WEP and Auto Uplink(TM)

NETGEAR Inc., a provider of small business and home networking products, today announced the availability of its new MR314 Cable/DSL Wireless Router with a 4-port 10/100 Mbps switch and integrated access point. The IEEE 802.11b standard-based router connects PCs equipped with wireless PC cards, PCI cards or USB adapter, while an integrated 4-port switch connects PCs and other Internet-enabled devices requiring Ethernet wiring. The MR314 offers robust and reliable performance, allows users to share Cable and DSL service, provides integrated content filtering capabilities unique in the industry and is NETGEAR's latest addition to its family of 802.11b based wireless products. The wireless router incorporates key features, including Web-content filtering, logging and reporting, firewall security, 128 Bit Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Auto Uplink(TM).

NETGEAR's MR314 is based on mature and robust software to ensure outstanding reliability. The MR314 features the same content filtering capabilities found in NETGEAR's RP114 Web Safe Router, which recently received the "Editor's Choice Award" from PC Magazine. Web content filtering and instant email alerts allow users to restrict Internet access based on Web addresses, Web address keywords or the time of the day. The router also comes with unique logging and reporting features. Network administrators receive detailed reports on all browsing activities. This combination of features is unmatched in the wireless router market today.

"NETGEAR has been developing routers for over five years now," said Patrick Lo, president and chief executive officer of NETGEAR. "This makes us one of the most experienced global provider of routers for homes and small businesses. User dissatisfaction, high failure rates and the inadequate performance of competing wireless routers show that it is imperative to test products extensively before they are introduced to the market. NETGEAR's mission is to provide the most innovative, reliable and easy-to-install networking products for homes and small businesses. Our five-year warranty is unsurpassed compared to other wireless routers in the market, and we are proud to offer it as a statement of our reliability and high-performance."

"The demand for wireless routers is increasing dramatically," said Melissa Phillips, Research Analyst at Cahners Instat Group. "We expect residential wireless networking technology to grow 71 percent from 2001 to 2005. Reliable products are critical for overall consumer confidence, and NETGEAR's wireless router is a promising product for this market."

An "always on" Cable/DSL Internet connection can make a network more vulnerable to hackers. NETGEAR's MR314 offers comprehensive Network Address Translation (NAT) firewall security that protects users against hacker attacks. The integrated access point offers 128 Bit Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) which provides a higher level of security for wireless data transmission than comparable wireless routers on the market. The generously illustrated user guide as well as the easy setup wizard allow fast and simple network installation. NETGEAR's MR314 also features unique Auto Uplink technology that automatically adjusts any port to be an uplink to another switch, hub or router, therefore eliminating the need for crossover cables. None of the competing routers available today come with a comparable feature. In addition to all of the robust features included in the unit, NETGEAR provides customers with all the cables needed to set up the router.

"We are excited to introduce a powerful Cable/DSL Wireless Router with a 4-port switch, integrated access point and comprehensive set of features unequaled in today's wireless router market," said Patrick Lo. "The MR314 is another component of our 802.11b-based wireless solution for the small business networking market. NETGEAR's 802.11b Wireless Product Family is comprised of a ME102 Wireless Access Point, a MA401 PC Card, a MA301 PCI Adapter and a MA101 USB Adapter."

NETGEAR's MR314 Features & Benefits

-- Integrated 4-Port 10/100 Mbps switch -- Connects all of your PCs equipped
with wireless PC cards, while an integrated 4-Port switch connects your PCs and
other Internet enabled devices that need Ethernet wiring. (All cables are
included in the package)

-- Auto Uplink(TM) -- The Auto Uplink automatically senses whether the Ethernet
cable plugged into any port should have a "normal" connection (connecting to a
PC) or an "uplink" connection (connecting to another router, switch or hub).
The port will then configure itself to the correct setting. This feature
eliminates worries about crossover cables and Uplink buttons.

-- Integrated Access Point -- Acts as a bridge between wireless and Ethernet
networks, offering mobile workers continuous, high-speed 11 Mbps access to
corporate network resources, email and the Internet. The integrated access
point offers 128 Bit Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) which provides a higher
level of security for wireless data transmission than comparable wireless
routers on the market.

-- Content Filtering -- Allows network administrators to create lists of
Internet addresses and Web address keywords that limit Web site access. Such
Web access restriction can be applied at all times or for specific times of the
day.

-- Privileged User Function -- Allows one computer full Web access without any
blocking by content filtering.

-- Logging and Reporting -- An easy-to-access report lists all Internet
activities logged by users. It provides a detailed overview of all browsing
activity.

-- Protection from Hacking -- NAT (Network Address Translation) routing hides
your IP address to prevent hackers from easily accessing your network.
(Additional routing protocols: TCP/IP, RIP-2, DHCP, PPPoE, IPSec)

-- Broadband Internet Access Sharing -- The MR314 enables up to 253 users to
share a single broadband Internet connection.

-- Easy Installation -- Fast and easy-to-use Web-based setup gets the user up
and running in less than 30 minutes.

-- Port Range Forwarding for Games and Web applications (Video conferencing,
chat, local servers etc.)

-- Default Server/DMZ Hosting -- Specifies one server on the local network to
receive all inbound traffic that is not otherwise forwarded.

-- Five-year warranty -- Unsurpassed warranty in comparison with other wireless
routers available today.

-- Free 24/7 Tech Support

-- Compact and Sturdy Metal Design

-- MSRP $369