WideBand Corporation announced today the launch of the first Gigabit Ethernet adapter enhanced to operate over existing Category 5 cable. The new product, which will be unveiled at COMDEX Fall 2001 (WideBand Booth #7462), will provide Gigabit Ethernet links over the installed base of existing Category 5 cable on segments of up to the full 100-meter specification.
The Enhanced Gigabit Ethernet NICs utilize a printed circuit board specifically designed by WideBand Corporation to achieve error-free performance over 100-meter Category 5 links. No special cable is required. (Other Gigabit Ethernet products require that users rewire with Category 5e cable or better.)
Two versions of the Enhanced Gigabit Ethernet Adapter will be manufactured by WideBand. The 81298-71 model has a 32-bit PCI bus interface and is designated for workstations and small servers. The 81298-72 model supports a full 64-bit PCI bus interface and is designated for application in high performance servers.
Both Adapters support a broad range of operating systems including Microsoft Windows NT*, Microsoft Windows* 2000, Microsoft Windows XP, Linux*, Novell Netware*, SunSoft Solaris* and SCO UnixWare*.
Although Enhanced Gigabit Ethernet Adapters are slightly more expensive than standard models, the fact that schools will not be required to rewire their premises in order to upgrade to Gigabit speeds will result in a substantial overall savings for users of the new products.
WideBand Corporation distributes Gigabit networking products primarily to the education market through an organization of 100 independent dealers. The Enhanced Gigabit Ethernet Adapters are 100 percent compatible with earlier versions of Ethernet. It is therefore possible to connect the new Adapters to existing equipment, since the Adapters automatically detect data rates and signal polarity. This feature provides schools with the ability to incrementally upgrade their networks as needs arise and funds are available.
The Gigabit Ethernet adapter market is one of the fastest growing segments of the computer industry. It is expected to expand rapidly from $168 million in 2001 to $1.7 billion in 2005.**
“WideBand Corporation is very pleased to enter into this market segment partnering with Intel, the segment sales leader,” said WideBand President Dr. Roger Billings. “As the industry begins to come out of its current slump early next year, WideBand Corporation, with its Enhanced Gigabit Ethernet technology and its U.S. -based manufacturing capability, is poised to go after a significant share of this expanding market.”
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Product Information: WideBand networking products are manufactured in the United States at their Gallatin, Missouri, facility. Their products are available through a network of independent dealers located in cites throughout the United States. Additional information on the Company and the products can be obtained at www.wband.com , or by contacting the Company at 660-663-3000.
Safe Harbor Statement:
This news release contains information that is ‘forward-looking’ in that it describes conditions which WideBand Corporation reasonably expects to occur in the future. Expectations for future performance of the business of WideBand is dependent on a number of factors, and there can be no assurance that WideBand will achieve the results as contemplated herein. The accuracy of these statements cannot be guaranteed, as they are subject to a variety of risks, including the possibility that the described activities or events will not be completed or occur.
* Trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
** Source: Cahners-InStat, Network Clients Market: Getting Fast and Mobile, May 2001.