Enterasys Networks Introduces SecureStack A2 Switch Family; Delivers High-Performance, High-Availability Layer 2 Edge Stacking Capability

Business Wire, Sept 14, 2005

ANDOVER, Mass. -- Enterasys Networks(R) (NYSE: ETS), the Secure Networks Company(TM), today introduced the SecureStack A2 family of Layer 2 stackable edge switches. The A2 is the latest innovation in Enterasys' SecureStack line of edge switches. The A2 delivers cost-effective Layer 2 switching with up to 384 10/100 ports and 16 1-Gigabit Ethernet uplinks in a single stack. Unlike many other entry-level edge switches available today, each SecureStack A2 has four 1-Gigabit uplinks--two SFP and two 10/100/1000--with the triple-speed uplinks also available for stacking.

Enterasys designed the A2 to provide enterprises with reliability and availability at the network edge with support for Closed Loop Stacking and redundant core connections, power options and stack management. There are five SecureStack A2 models:

--24- and 48-port 10/100

--24- and 48-port 10/100 Power-over-Ethernet

--24-port 100Base-FX

"The SecureStack A2 family continues Enterasys' commitment to providing enterprises with a range of switching solutions for their diverse network needs," says John Roese, chief technology officer of Enterasys Networks. "The A2 delivers industry-leading performance, scalability and flexibility for the network edge in a very cost-effective package."

The A2 family's resilient stacking capabilities include:

--Redundant stack management with a primary and second manager

--A single IP address to manage a complete stack

--Hot swapping support, enabling addition and removal of units at any time with automatic detection and reconfiguration of the stack

--Automatic, online software upgrades applied to all units in the stack, regardless of connectivity and/or port count

The A2 also supports 2-Gigabit bidirectional stacking over standard (Cat 5) cabling to create a distributed stack with switches up to 100 meters apart.

Pricing and Availability

The SecureStack A2 family will be available beginning September 26, 2005 from Enterasys and its worldwide distribution partners. List pricing ranges from US$625 for the 10/100 24-port model, through US$3,495 for the 24-port 100Base-FX model, which will ship in November 2005.

The Enterasys Secure Networks Advantage

Enterasys' industry-leading Secure Networks technology and solutions provide the highest level of embedded infrastructure security available today. Secure Networks delivers the most granular level of security, providing visibility and control down to the network device, individual user and application level, which enables enterprises to quickly and easily detect, assess, locate and protect against attacks. This unmatched security comes from the integrated policy-based management software architecture that works with the embedded security capabilities Enterasys designs into its entire product line. Enterasys' unique architectural approach offers significant operational and business benefits, unmatched by vendors that add hardware or software to multiple network access points in an attempt to increase security. In fact, Secure Networks technology can even make networks with competitors' equipment more secure.

About Enterasys Networks

Enterasys Networks is the Secure Networks Company, providing enterprise customers worldwide with the industry's most up-to-date portfolio of edge-to-core networking products, solutions and services, with award-winning policy-based security capabilities embedded in the infrastructure. For more information on Enterasys Secure Networks and the company's comprehensive wired and wireless products, visit www.enterasys.com. (ETS-P)

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