NETGEAR Launches Industry's First 3-Port High-Performance Cable/DSL Phoneline Router for the Home Networking Market

Business Wire, June 18, 2001

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 18, 2001

RP334 Provides Bridging Rates Three Times Faster Than

Comparable HomePNA Routers and Offers Unmatched Features,

Including Parental Control

NETGEAR Inc., a provider of small business and home networking products, today announced its new RP334 Cable/DSL Phoneline Router. The RP334 is the first high-performance Cable/DSL Phoneline Router to incorporate a 3-Port 10/100 Mbps switch that enables Ethernet and phoneline-based computers and other Internet-enabled devices to communicate with each other and share a high-speed Internet connection. The RP334 has an integrated 10Mbps HomePNA bridge that allows users to connect their PCs together using existing telephone jacks, without disrupting their normal telephone service.

NETGEAR's RP334 is the only Cable/DSL Phoneline Router on the market today that comes with an integrated 3-Port 10/100 Mbps switch and content filtering capabilities. The integrated switch allows users to connect additional computers or other Internet-enabled devices to the Ethernet network without requiring the user to purchase additional hardware. Multiprocessor architecture and full implementation of the HomePNA 2.0 LARQ protocol allow for a strong and robust phone line connection. The RP334 supports HomePNA 1.0 devices as well. This enables users to transfer large files between Ethernet and phone line networks faster and more reliably than with other available phone line routers. A dedicated internal phone line-to-Ethernet bridge provides bridging rates up to three times faster than comparable HomePNA routers. NETGEAR's RP334 also features unique Auto Uplink(TM) technology that automatically adjusts any port to be an uplink to another switch, hub or router, therefore eliminating the need for crossover cables.

"Customers are our most important asset," stated Patrick Lo, president and chief executive officer of NETGEAR. "High disapproval ratings for competing HomePNA routers show that we have the right priorities: use only the highest-quality components, develop innovative home networking solutions and aggressively test our products to ensure their reliability."

"The RP334 sets up easily in less than 10 minutes," said Tim Higgins, managing editor of PracticallyNetworked.com. "Whether your data stays local or is bound for the Internet, your HomePNA and Ethernet clients get fast and reliable treatment."

The RP334 Cable/DSL Phoneline Router 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. NETGEAR's parental control capabilities are unmatched in the HPNA router market today and enable parents to monitor and restrict their children's access to objectionable Web sites or restrict Internet access altogether based on time of day settings. Instant email reports and alerts keep parents up to date on Web browsing activity. Since an `always on' Cable/DSL Internet connection can make a network more vulnerable to hackers, NETGEAR's RP334 also offers comprehensive Network Address Translation (NAT) firewall security that protects home users against hacker attacks. In addition to the robust features included in the unit, NETGEAR provides customers additional amenities such as Category 5 Ethernet cables, phone line cable and a 5-year warranty on the router unit.

"We are proud to introduce this unparalleled set of features at an unmatched price/performance in the industry, along with the best warranty available for comparable products," said Lo. "We strongly believe that phone line wiring in every home makes networking extremely simple and a great alternative to pure Ethernet networking."

"IDC forecasts solid growth for HomePNA over the next several years," said Schelly Olhava, IDC senior analyst who covers home networking. "This year we estimate that 1.1 million US home networks will be based on phone networking technology, a number that will grow to 2.7 million by 2005."

The RP334 Cable/DSL Phoneline Router is a cornerstone in NETGEAR's line of HPNA products. NETGEAR's latest HomePNA product complements NETGEAR's PE102 Ethernet to Phoneline Bridge, the PA101 USB Phoneline Adapter as well as the PA301 PCI Phoneline Adapter.

NETGEAR's RP334 Features & Benefits

--  Integrated 3-Port 10/100 Mbps switch -- Enables easy connection of
    PCs near the router via Ethernet cables (one cable is 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

--  Content Filtering -- Enables parents to restrict their children's
    access to objectionable material found on the Web. Parents can
    create lists of Web addresses and Web address keywords that they
    deem "off-limits." Such Web access restriction can be applied at
    all times or for specified times of the day.

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

--  Logging and Reporting -- The RP334 provides parents with an
    easy-to-access report that lists all Internet activities logged by
    their children. The log shows where they went and when.

--  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)

--  Multiprocessor Architecture and HomePNA 2.0 LARQ Protocol --
    Strong and more robust phoneline connection allows faster and more
    reliable bridging rate.

--  Broadband Internet Access Sharing -- The RP334 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 10 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.

--  MSRP $399

--  Compact and Sturdy Metal Design

--  Five-year warranty, one Ethernet- and one phone cable included --
    best warranty on the market for HPNA routers.

--  Free 24/7 Tech Support