FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IRVINE, CA, November 13, 2000 – Forging ahead in its leadership position in broadband networking, LinksysÒ will unveil brand new 802.11b wireless, Gigabit Ethernet, and broadband networking solutions for Home, Small to Medium Businesses, and Enterprise environments at COMDEX/Fall 2000 from November 13^th to the 17^th in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s North Hall, Booth #L2349.

Linksys is featuring the Instant Wireless Series, based on the 802.11b 11Mbps standard, in its newly expanded booth, designed with twice the floor space of last year’s booth to accommodate rapidly growing product lines. To educate consumers on the ease of wireless installation and use, Linksys and CRN have scheduled a live demonstration of the Instant Wireless Series at the CRN Test Center on Friday, November 17^th at 1:00 pm. The line of Instant Wireless solutions will consist of PC Cards, PCI Cards, Access Points, Access Point + Router + Print Server, and Access Point + Router + Switch.

Linksys will also be showcasing new Instant Broadband Routers and Modems, Gigabit Ethernet over Copper Switches and Network Cards, and multi-functional Network-Attached Storage (NAS) products. With the recent success of the world-famous EtherFast Cable/DSL Routers, which sold nearly half a million units in ten months, Linksys expects to surge ahead in the broadband market with its upcoming product offerings in the small/medium and corporate workgroup networking arenas. New broadband routers include a HomePNA Router, Wireless Routers, VPN Firewall, Net2Phone Router, and VoIP Routers.

"We are announcing over 20 new products at Comdex this year, which help to make broadband connections more secure and easier to set up while providing more features and functionalities for the small/medium business user," said Robin Hung, Linksys Lead Product Manager. "Our new wireless products and Cable/DSL Routers were developed to complement the broadband connection in homes and offices alike. Our experience in selling broadband solutions will help users’ overall experience with sharing an Internet connection be more simple and reliable."

Other new Linksys products to be introduced include the HomeLink Phoneline 10M products, Gigabit solutions, and VoIP-Ready and Net2Phone products. These new products will be showcased along with Linksys’ award-winning EtherFast 10/100 Manageable Hubs and Switches, Network Interface Cards, PC Cards, KVM Switches, Switched Print Servers, and various USB solutions.

Following are some product highlights from new Linksys product lines:

WAP11 – Instant Wireless™ Network Access Point

The Instant Wireless™ Network Access Point lets you set up your PCs from anywhere in the home or office. With a range of up to 800 feet outside and 300 inside and an 11 Mbps transfer rate, users will be able to transfer files, print and even access the Internet – wire-free! The Instant Wireless™ Access Point’s dual high-powered antennas provide seamless roaming throughout your network and advanced user authentication ensures high-security wireless networking, while easy-to-use Windows-based diagnostics and statistic tools put you in control of your network. Estimated Street Price (ESP): $299.99

Whether you’re at your desk or in the boardroom, the Instant Wireless Network PC Card from Linksys lets you share printers, files, and other resources anywhere on your LAN, boosting productivity and keeping you "in touch." The Instant Wireless Network PC Card gives you the freedom to work your way, where you want—letting you take full advantage of your notebook PC’s portability while providing you with access to all your network resources. A high-powered built-in Diversity antenna connects you at distances up to 800 ft. Plus, it only occupies one Type II PCMCIA slot, leaving your other slots free for additional accessories. ESP: $129.99

The Instant Wireless PCI Adapter allows you to share printers, files, and other resources on your network, increasing your productivity and keeping you in touch with the rest of the network. Just plug the Instant Wireless Network PC Card into the Instant Wireless PCI Adapter, and take full advantage of a wireless network. A high-powered, built-in Diversity antenna means that you’re covered at distances of up to 800 ft. Ready to run in any PCI-equipped desktop PC and is compatible with all major operating systems. ESP: $49.99

BEFW11S4 – Instant Wireless™ Access Point + Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port Switch

The first wireless Access Point + Cable/DSL Router to hit the market includes a Router, a 4-Port 10/100 Switch, NAT firewall and an IEEE 802.11b Wireless Access Point (11Mbps). This all-in-one device allows wireless PCs and wired Ethernet PCs to access a single broadband Internet connection for sharing IP addresses files, printers, and other network resources. The Instant Wireless™ Access Point + Cable/DSL Router with a 4-Port Switch enables wireless PCs and Ethernet-based PCs to co-exist and share files and high-speed Internet access.

This wireless device includes a Cable/DSL Router just like our 1-Port Cable/DSL Router (BEFSR11) and also features a built-in wireless Access Point and Print Server, all in one device! This Router has a WAN port, a LAN port, a print server port as well as a PCMCIA slot for the Instant Wireless™ PC Card. Users benefit from all the same features in just one device. With less troubleshooting and more cost efficiency, this wireless network device also conserves your desktop space.

Compatible with 1Mbps and 10Mbps HPNA solutions, this HomeLink Cable/DSL Router enables users to connect to a cable or DSL connection through their existing phoneline network. The unit is equipped with one WAN port for the modem, one LAN port that connects to a single Ethernet PC, hub or switch, and 2 RJ-11 ports to connect to a phone jack. PCs using a HPNA network can access the broadband Internet connection or communicate with other Ethernet-based PCs. This HomeLink Router empowers all users, Ethernet and HPNA, with firewall security, DHCP functions as well as PPPoE support, IP Sec Pass-Through, DMZ hosting, forwarding, filtering and logging.

BEFSRU31 – EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with USB and 3-Port 10/100 Switch

Users can instantly configure their router with its new plug-n-play USB port. The USB port acts as a 10/100 network adapter so users don’t need to purchase a 10/100 NIC card! This is ideal for notebook or desktop PCs equipped with USB ports. Router functions include similar features as the popular Linksys 1,4 and 8-port models, including NAT, IPSec pass through, PPTP support, DHCP, logging, mapping, forwarding, filtering, DMZ and more! Plus the 3-Port 10/100 switch enables Ethernet-based computers to connect easily to a cable or DSL connection and share files, printers, and play networkable games.

The new G.dmt, T1.413 and G.lite-supported ADSL USB modem allows for quick and easy installation. Just plug the Modem into a USB-ready PC, and you’re ready to surf the Web. The user-friendly GUI software makes setup simple, and the fully-programmable Digital Signal Processor (DSP) allows for easy upgrades. The USB port powers your modem so no power supply needed, and its repeaterless reach is up to 18,000 feet using standard copper wire. Linksys also offer free technical support 24/7. ESP: $149.99

The new Linksys EtherFast VPN Firewall allows small businesses, medium businesses or branch offices to connect securely to a different network (like a corporate network) from different physical locations as well as share a cable or DSL connection among 253 computers for LAN use. The VPN hardware firewall is one solution to a VPN software. Features include natural VPN, DHCP, NAT, PPTP support, Web management, 3DES encryption which is equivalent to 168-bit encryption, traffic and bandwidth allocation, web caching for higher performance, logging and more!

EFG20, EFG40 – Instant GigaDrive Network-Attached Storage – 20GB and 40GB

Linksys is announcing three new network-attached storage products including a 20GB and 40GB hard drive with a print server, letting you add network storage with no down time or changing network configurations, and share a network printer, too. ESP: $649 (20GB) and $899 (40GB).

EFR240 – The new EtherFast Dual RAID allows small-to-medium business environments to back up 40 gigabytes of hard drive space and share a network printer. This RAID solution holds two 40GB hard drives with RAID 1 disk mirroring and disk rebuilding, as well as security access control. Hot-swap capability allows drives to be exchanged with no down time. The Dual RAID Server also doubles as a DHCP server, freeing administrators from manually assigning IP addresses to each network user who logs in. Other features include setting disk quotas for individual users and scheduling automatic shutdowns. The EtherFast Dual RAID Server works with all major operating systems, including Windows, Macintosh, and Linux. ESP: $899.99.

EFVCD20 – The Instant GigaCD Server saves valuable time and space by sharing your favorite CD-ROMs. Faster and less cumbersome than a standard CD-ROM jukebox, the Instant GigaCD Server makes your CD data available to multiple network users simultaneously. Upload applications, audio CDs, games, or any other high-demand CDs without having to locate the original CDs. Configurable through your web browser, the EtherFast Instant GigaCD Server resides on your network like a regular PC, and stores up to 30 full-length audio or data CD images. ESP: $949.99

The EtherFast II 10/100 Managed 24-Port GigaSwitch delivers a combination of Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit connections, all in one solution. Perfect for demanding enterprise environments, the GigaSwitch’s "intelligent" design and built-in SMNP provide maximum network control, regulating traffic and eliminating server bottlenecks. Plus, its Web management interface and upgrade capability makes the EtherFast II Managed GigaSwitch ideal for interactive web-based applications. Optional fiber module available (EG24M1). ESP: $799.99

About The Linksys Group, Inc.

Linksys, an award-winning leader in the development of networking and broadband networking solutions for the Small/Medium Business (SMB), Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) and Enterprise environments, has been the number-one manufacturer of networking hardware in the retail channel for over 3 years – currently owning 30% of the market. Through this position, Linksys has become the fastest growing networking hardware manufacturer in the distribution channel and the lead seller of networking hardware online through E-tailers. Linksys products emphasize speed, affordability, reliability, ease of installation and widespread compatibility and are sold through leading master distributors, computer resellers, direct response and E-commerce and retail stores worldwide. For more information, visit the Linksys web site at www.linksys.com, email at sales@linksys.com or call toll-free 1-800-LINKSYS (546-5797).

Linksys and EtherFast are trademarks of Linksys. All other products and company names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners. CopyrightÓ 2000 Linksys, All Rights Reserved.