ATM to the desktop..............................................
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FORE Systems Enables New Applications with New Desktop/Workgroup Products
PR Newswire - September 25, 1998 10:42
New 25 Mbps ATM Switch, 25 Mbps and 155 Mbps ATM Adapters Deliver the Advantages of Application Aware Networking
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- FORE Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORE), a leading global supplier of multiservice networking solutions, today announced the introduction of new desktop and workgroup solutions responding to users' needs for better network bandwidth control, more robust support for multimedia applications, and better investment protection.
FORE Systems is delivering a solid network infrastructure by advancing its vision for Application Aware(TM) networking through today's introduction of the new ForeRunnerLE(TM) 25 ATM Workgroup Switch and the new ForeRunnerLE 25 network interface card (NIC). These new products from FORE allow users to guarantee bandwidth to existing applications by leveraging ATM's Quality of Service (QoS) standards.
Networking Solutions Enable New Applications
For network managers, dealing with problems like managing end-to-end latency, prioritizing available bandwidth, and managing new traffic patterns is an everyday occurrence. These common challenges are not easily handled over older, "legacy" networks which were not designed to carry the voice or video components critical to many new applications. Networks are now being pushed to their limits by the implementation of a new wave of applications that incorporate features like voice over IP, video over IP or new control interface standards (like H.323). For these reasons, network managers are demanding scalable desktop and workgroup solutions that will support today's applications without grinding to a halt.
"Today's desktop applications place high demands on the network, but not all applications are created equal," said Ron McKenzie, vice president of strategic marketing at FORE Systems. "FORE is intent on delivering Application Aware networking. This gives administrators the ability to intelligently manage their network bandwidth to fit existing application requirements."
The ForeRunnerLE intelligently and transparently recognizes the type of traffic being sent from each desktop and allocates network bandwidth accordingly. This allows network administrators to reserve more bandwidth for critical database server-connections while restricting less time-sensitive traffic like email. The ForeRunnerLE ATM adapter family also supports native ATM applications using the Winsock Application Programming Interface. FORE's ATM application partners include PictureTel (LiveLan videoconferencing) and Sphere Communications (voice over ATM via Sphericall).
FORE Announces New 25 Mbps ATM Solution
With the ForeRunnerLE 25 switch priced at $199 per port (U.S. list pricing), and bundled with 25 Mbps ATM adapters for $59 (U.S. list pricing), Fast Ethernet and ATM are now similarly priced technology options on a per- seat basis. The ForeRunnerLE 25 Workgroup Switch uses the same full-featured, leading edge 2.5 Gbps non-blocking switching fabric as the previously announced (April, 1997) ForeRunnerLE 155 Workgroup Switch. In addition, the ForeRunnerLE 25 is compatible with port expansion modules for the ForeRunnerLE 155.
It also comes standard with 24 ports of 25 Mbps UTP Category 3/4/5, with one expansion slot for additional ports. An additional, new port expansion module with 2 ports of 155 Mbps (OC-3c) is now shipping and available at a list price of $1,500. Optional 622 Mbps (OC-12c) port expansion modules are also available.
The ForeRunnerLE 25 Workgroup Switch began shipping at the end of August at a list price of $4,776.
FORE Introduces $99 155 Mbps Adapter
In addition, FORE has made the delivery of 155 Mbps ATM to the desktop much more affordable. The new ForeRunnerLE 155 ATM NIC, now priced at just $99 (U.S. list pricing), allows customers to easily extend the benefits of ATM from the core to the edge of their networks.
Customer Delivers Video Using New 25 Mbps FORE Solution
"We are building one of the most powerful learning networks in the world," said Rob Pavlak of Oakland Community College, Detroit, Michigan. "We needed to have the networking capabilities of delivering distance learning, on-line training and broadcast video. Using both the desktop ATM solution from FORE Systems and LiveLan desktop videoconferencing from PictureTel, we can achieve our current needs while future-proofing our network. We are planning an initial deployment of 2,600 25 Mbps ATM desktops connecting through 150 ForeRunnerLE 25 switches."
About FORE Systems
FORE Systems is a leading global supplier of networking solutions based on an Intelligent Infrastructure(TM) designed to handle the networked applications of today and tomorrow.
FORE's Networks of Steel(TM) deliver the increased capacity, reduced complexity and unparalleled flexibility and scalability necessary to build networks that last. Thousands of enterprise and service provider customers worldwide have put FORE Systems' solutions at the heart of their networks.
For more information on FORE's Networks of Steel, call 888-404-0444 or visit the FORE Systems web site at www.fore.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to products, partners, customers and other matters. Please refer to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by FORE Systems with the Securities and Exchange Commission in June, 1998, and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by FORE Systems in August, 1998, for a discussion of risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements.
All FORE Systems' editorial information and graphics can be found on NEWSdesk, the high-tech Internet Network at newsdesk.com.
FORE Systems and ForeRunner are registered trademarks of FORE Systems, Inc. Intelligent Infrastructure, ForeRunnerLE, Application Aware and Networks of Steel are trademarks of FORE Systems, Inc. All other brand or product names are trademarks of their respective holders.
SOURCE FORE Systems, Inc.
/CONTACT: Rich Borden or Jim Blew of FORE Systems Public Relations,
724-742-4444, or fax, 724-742-7742, or email, rborden@fore.com or
jblew@fore.com/
/Company News On-Call: prnewswire.com or fax, 800-758-5804,
ext. 329107/
/Web site: fore.com
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