NetGear Intros WLAN Switch

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- NETGEAR, Inc., (Nasdaq: NTGR) a worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking products, today announced an enhanced and expanded business-class networking solution designed to meet the needs of growing small- to medium-sized businesses (SMB) for applications including advanced wireless local area network (LAN) deployments and Voice-over-IP (VoIP) capabilities. Utilizing the newest member of NETGEAR’s line of Layer 3 switches, the FSM7326P Layer 3 Managed 10/100 Switch with Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), in combination with NETGEAR’s recently announced PoE enabled WG302 802.11g ProSafe Wireless Access Point and/or any standards-based VoIP phone system equipment, small to medium businesses now have a complete, affordable solution for deploying advanced applications previously attainable only with an enterprise-class budget.

"Solution providers and IT managers are looking to NETGEAR to deliver the capabilities that support current and future advanced applications," stated Kevin Allan, Director of Product Marketing and Management for Business Products. "We believe the combination of NETGEAR’s various standards-based business-class components and other compatible systems creates a complete, cost-effective networking solution."

Wireless LAN Deployments

Using NETGEAR’s FSM7326P 24+2 Layer 3 Managed Switch, growing businesses can cost-effectively deploy and power up to 15 enterprise-class WG302 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Points. While the WG302 Access Points provide unrestricted placement by virtue of PoE, they are also compatible with NETGEAR’s line of directional and omni-directional high-gain antennas making this managed wireless network solution ideal for large area or campus deployments.

The Layer 3 FSM7326P employs SNMP management, routing and switching capabilities, while the deployment of the cost-effective 108 Mbps capable WG302 access points push network security features to the edge of the network, saving the processing power of the FSM7326P for higher-level management operations. Security features on the ProSafe Access Point include 40/64-, 128- and 152-bit WEP data encryption, MAC address authentication, VPN pass-through support, IEEE 802.1x user-based authentication and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA).

VoIP Applications

Small and medium businesses can also benefit from affordable voice applications 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.

The FSM7326P and WG302, available in December 2003 through value-added resellers, direct mail and e-commerce channels at list prices of $1,750 and $350, respectively, are backed by a five- and three-year warranty, respectively, and 24/7 technical support.

Netgear Inc.