Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ASCEND DELIVERS NAVISCONNECT FOR ENHANCED EQUIPMENT CONFIGURATION AND
MANAGEMENT
NavisConnect(tm) Enables Integration of Equipment Configuration with
NavisAccess Network Management System
ALAMEDA, Calif., June 3, 1998 -- Ascend Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:
ASND), a leader in wide area networking (WAN) solutions for providers
and users of the Public Network, today announced NavisConnect, the
configuration solution for all True Access(tm) Operating System (TAOS)
enabled devices, including MAX(tm), MAX TNT(tm) WAN access switches,
and the Pipeline 220 remote access router.
NavisConnect is a new solution in the Navis(tm) family of network
management products that delivers a streamlined configuration solution
with an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) for all aspects of
installation and configuration of Ascend's access equipment. The Navis
family provides comprehensive operations control and management for all
Ascend equipment including its access, frame relay and ATM products.
NavisConnect works with NavisAccess(tm) for integrated configuration and
network management. This integration enables Ascend's new enterprise
customers and network service provider customers to simplify installation
and configuration. The NavisAccess network management products provide
comprehensive network-wide operations control and management for Ascend's
access environment.
"We are very pleased with Ascend's NavisConnect product," said John Gutt,
director of Remote Access Services Product Development at Infonet Services
Corporation. "It enables smooth installation and configuration of our
remote network access switches and integrates nicely with NavisAccess
for optimal network management and control."
Delivering simple configuration with tabs and pull down menus,
NavisConnect speeds configuration giving users more time to take advantage
of their MAX and TNT capabilities. In addition, NavisConnect integrates
with NavisAccess, a robust full-featured management platform, providing
a single common interface for streamlined configuration and management
of Ascend's WAN access products. NavisConnect also provides real-time
GUI configuration capabilities to detect changes in device configurations
through integration with NavisAccess.
"We are thrilled that Ascend is adding NavisConnect to their offerings,"
said Bob Tafoya, partner at The Helfrich Company, a value-added reseller
(VAR). "NavisConnect dramatically improves the ability to configure
Ascend's WAN access switches. Plus, the whole concept of integration
is appealing to our customers, and enables us to provide an advanced
feature set."
When integrated, NavisAccess provides context-sensitive menu items that
launch into NavisConnect. This capability benefits users by providing a
migration path from simple device configuration to more robust network
control. NavisConnect and NavisAccess can be installed in enterprise
operations for complete management of the access and routing environment,
and in service provider operations to manage the delivery of high value
access services.
"We've modernized configuration with NavisConnect, enabling a quicker
set-up," said Dave Saunders, senior product manager for client software
at Ascend. "NavisConnect provides a clean progression into NavisAccess
for comprehensive network management and control. This solution builds
on our commitment to providing a wide range of software-based solutions
for flexible TAOS enabled functionality."
Price and Availability NavisConnect is compatible with True Access
Operating System 2.1/6.1 software and is available on the MAX, TNT,
and Pipeline 220 companion CDs. Registered customers may download the
NavisConnect software at ftp.ascend.com. NavisConnect is currently
available for Windows 95 and NT 4.0. Support for Solaris, HP/UX and
Macintosh OS will follow shortly. NavisAccess is purchased as a separate
option.
About Ascend Communications Ascend Communications, Inc. develops,
manufactures, sells and services wide area networking solutions for
telecommunications carriers, Internet service providers and corporate
customers worldwide.
Press and industry analysts, please contact: Christine Andrews, Alexander
Communications, 415-923-1660 (ext.138), candrews@alexandercom.com.
Investors and financial analysts, please contact: Kristina Graziano,
510-747-2345, kristina.graziano@ascend.com; or all other inquiries please
call toll-free: 800/ASCEND4.
For more information about Ascend and its products, please visit the
Ascend web site at www.ascend.com, or send e-mail to info@ascend.com.
Ascend is headquartered at One Ascend Plaza, 1701 Harbor Bay Parkway,
Alameda, Calif. 94502; phone is 800/ASCEND4 and fax is 510-814-2300.
The foregoing statements may contain forward-looking statements that
are based on current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties.
Actual results could differ materially from these expectations as a
result of factors including, but not limited to, the Company's success
in developing, introducing or shipping new products, competition,
the mix of distribution channels employed, the Company's dependence on
single or limited source suppliers for certain components used in its
products, risks inherent in international sales, seasonality and general
economic conditions. These and other factors are discussed in Ascend's
10-K, 10-Q and other filings made periodically with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
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