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NETGEAR Presents Europe's Latest Affordable, Business-Class Networking Solutions at CeBIT 2004 (18/3/2004)

Demonstrations of Advanced Wireless LAN Deployment and Voice-Over-IP Applications for Businesses along with Entertainment Networking Devices for Home Consumers Featured in the Hannover Exhibition Hall

NETGEAR, Inc., a worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking products, showcases its latest business-class networking solutions for meeting the needs of growing small businesses at the CeBIT 2004 trade show in Hannover, Germany, from March 18th to the 24th. Appearing in Stand C06 in Hall 15 of the Hannover Exhibition Hall, NETGEAR will also offer the European debut of its newest home entertainment networking products, a wireless network adapter for home stereos and a wireless media router.

Expanding its international presence in business-class networking, NETGEAR is highlighting at CeBIT its FSM7326P 24+2 Layer 3 Managed 10/100 Switch with Power-over-Ethernet and WG302 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point. Technology demonstrations of these innovative products, along with three forthcoming Gigabit and Fast Ethernet switches, will underscore NETGEAR's advanced wireless local area network (WLAN) deployments and Voice-over-IP (VoIP) capabilities for business. For home consumers, NETGEAR will show its MP101 Wireless Digital Music Player and the award-winning WGT634U 108 Mbps Wireless Media Router.

"The proliferation of broadband technology adoption in Europe continually spurs NETGEAR to introduce complete, cost-effective business-class products that small businesses require to succeed in today's marketplace," said David Soares, vice president of sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). "Europe remains NETGEAR's top international market outside of North America and an important geography for solution providers, IT managers, and consumers alike to deploy NETGEAR's quality products."

Maximizing The 10/100 Network

With Layer 3 With the European introduction to the FSM7326P 24+2 L3 Managed 10/100 Switch with Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), NETGEAR enables cost-conscious small businesses to easily deploy and power up to 15 enterprise-class access points. The FSM7326P optimizes the installation and power management of network devices such as wireless access points (AP), Voice-over-IP (VoIP) phones, and security video cameras. Power-over-Ethernet (IEEE 802.3af) capabilities further reduce installation costs for many network productivity devices and frees wireless AP deployments from the restrictions of locating power outlets.

Integrated into one unit, power and data switching is delivered over a single cable eliminating additional costs for AC wiring and reducing installation time. The FSM7326P Layer 3 switch provides both Layer 2 and Layer 3 managed switching functionality, including routing, switching, and Quality of Service (QoS) feature sets.

Listening Carefully To VoIP

As VoIP applications gain market share, small businesses can benefit by deploying standards-based VoIP system equipment in combination with the FSM7326P. NETGEAR's networking solution supports both the IEEE 802.3af PoE and Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities necessary for VoIP applications. Up to 24 VoIP phones can be driven by this solution and more can be supported with additional switches.

Reliable Intelligence in a Scalable, Secure Networking Solution

NETGEAR's WG302 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point is the next generation in high performance, secure, manageable wireless local area networks (WLANs). The affordable WG302 features industry-standard 54 Mbps access to corporate network resources, e-mail, and the Internet for wireless workforces, which can also be set for dynamic 108 Mbps speeds and remain backwards compatible to 802.11b. The Wireless Distribution System (WDS) feature supplies wireless point-to-point bridging, point-to-multipoint bridging, and repeater functionality for deployment over large areas. Advanced security features include WiFi Protected Access (WPA-Enterprise) support through a free future firmware upgrade, up to 152-bit Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP) data encryption, 802.1x and Virtual Private Network (VPN) pass-through support, and Medium Access Control (MAC) address filtering. NETGEAR ProSafe Wireless Access Point is rated for plenum air spaces.

NETGEAR's FSM7326P 24+2 L3 Managed 10/100 Switch with Power-over Ethernet perfectly complements the WG302, as its PoE capabilities ensure unrestricted placement of multiple WG302s in an office. The WG302 is also compatible with NETGEAR's line of directional and omni-directional high-gain antennas, ideal for large area or campus deployments.

Extending the Entertainment Network Around the Whole Home

NETGEAR is also showcasing its MP101 Wireless Digital Music Player, the industry's first affordable and easy to use wireless network adapter for home stereos. The MP101 connects any home stereo system through audio input jacks to an existing 802.11b and 802.11g wireless network. Utilizing middleware from Digital 5, the MP101 enables listeners to use the remote control and its large built-in LCD display to select the playlist of their MP3 and Windows Media format music files stored on any networked PC, sending the music directly to the stereo speakers.

In addition, NETGEAR will demonstrate the new WGT634U 108 Mbps Wireless Media Router, a 2004 Consumer Electronics Show "Best of Innovations" award winner and TechTV "Best of CES" finalist. The WGT634U is the first and only router in the industry to support external storage capabilities via an integrated USB 2.0 interface. By connecting a storage device to the WGT634U, users can easily store and share files and entertainment content for instant, seamless access from any computer connected to the home network as well as over the Internet away from home. This latest innovation from NETGEAR also incorporates award winning 108 Mbps technology, providing consumers with wireless throughput up to ten times faster, and range more than four times farther, than 802.11b technology, for complete home coverage.

Product Availability

In Europe, the FSM7326P is available through value-added resellers (VARs), direct mail and e-commerce channels, while the WG302 (the WG302GE in Germany) is expected to be available in May. The FSM7326P has a list price of 1258 Euros plus VAT and is backed by a five-year warranty. The WG302, with a three-year warranty, has a list price of 258 Euros plus VAT. Pricing and availability for the MP101 and WGT634U in Europe are expected to be announced this quarter. The North America versions of the WG302, MP101 and WGT634U are all shipping currently in the United States.

www.netgear.com