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NETGEAR Introduces Revolutionary New Category of Configurable Switches for Businesses to Build Better Networks


WEBWIRE

The ProSafe Plus Switch is NETGEAR’s breakthrough offering that, for a slight premium over unmanaged switches, supports Quality of Service, VLANs and cable testing for better visibility and control of Ethernet networks

SAN JOSE, Calif. NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically innovative, branded networking solutions, today announced a revolutionary new category of switches designed for growing businesses with growing network needs. The new ProSafe® Plus Switch™ family empowers non-technical users with new capabilities to monitor and configure their network, helping them build a low cost network that takes advantage of big business network features.

This new family of switches includes two Fast Ethernet versions, the 16-port FS116E desktop switch and 24-port JFS524E rack-mounted switch, and one Gigabit Ethernet version, the 5-port GS105E desktop switch. At a very small cost premium over unmanaged switches, a Plus Switch delivers network monitoring, cable testing, traffic prioritization and network segmentation for better troubleshooting, security and resource allocation, making it far more powerful than unmanaged switches. Additionally, all of these switches utilize Green Ethernet features to significantly reduce the power required to operate, saving money and the environment.

“Businesses are relying more heavily on their networks as they deploy more Ethernet-based technologies such as VoIP, as well as Internet-based applications for email, calendaring and collaboration,” said Maggie Wu, NETGEAR’s product line manager for SMB Switching Products. “To support this trend, NETGEAR has created this simple yet powerful network switch for businesses. The ProSafe Plus Switch, as an upgrade from the simple connectivity of an unmanaged switch, offers our customers essential network features such as enhanced security, troubleshooting, traffic prioritization, segmentation and monitoring, all at an affordable price.”

Key Features
ProSafe Plus Switches enable these enhanced business features with easy-to-use configuration tools. The graphically based software utility enables users to manage network traffic, which has never been seen before in this level of switch. Quality of Service (QoS) features enables users to assign traffic priority based on physically connected ports or prioritize traffic by the types of data, such as streaming video and voice. With VLAN support for network segmentation and security, users can set up network groups to enhance security and use the network resources more efficiently. Plus Switches also offer cable testing capability for troubleshooting connectivity problems. Network diagnostic tools with cable testing capabilities often cost hundreds of dollars, but this capability is included with these new switches.

ProSafe Plus Switches are designed with ease-of-use in mind. They can be set up as plug-and-play switches, or be configured through a simple PC-based utility. The fan-less switches operate silently, making them ideal for placement in open work areas. The GS105E and FS116E are in compact, sturdy metal cases ideal for desktop placement, while the JFS524E can be mounted in a standard 19-inch rack.

Green Features
Similar to NETGEAR’s existing line of “green” switches, which includes the GS716T and GS724T Smart Switches among others, the new ProSafe Plus Switches consume up to 70 percent less power than their unmanaged equivalents. The FS116E and JFS524E are the industry’s first Fast Ethernet switches to support this type of power reduction technology:

Auto Power-down – This mode reduces chip power in each Ethernet port when the signal from the copper link is not present, thus saving power, but instantly resumes normal operation when energy is detected. Auto Cable Length Detection – This enables the switch to use lower power if its connections cover a distance of less than 10 meters.

Like many other NETGEAR products for the home and SMB, Plus Switches come in packaging that is manufactured with at least 80 percent recycled material.

“With many business users running multiple, real-time applications on their networks, they need to be able to segment and prioritize traffic to ensure consistent performance,” said Matthias Machowinski, directing analyst of enterprise voice and data at Infonetics Research, an international market research and consulting firm specializing in data networking and telecom. “NETGEAR’s new line of ProSafe Plus Switches gives SMBs greater control over their networks at only a modest premium over unmanaged switches, thereby providing a good balance between features and price.”

Pricing and Availability
With full 24/7 technical support that connects customers directly with experienced switching experts, NETGEAR ProSafe Plus Switches (FS116E, JFS524E and GS105E) will give businesses a powerful new tool to organize their networks. All three Plus Switches are shipping now, and will be made available worldwide from value-added resellers, leading direct marketers, and e-commerce sites at estimated U.S. street prices starting from $70 for the GS105E, $90 for the FS116E and $110 for the JFS524E. All ProSafe products provide world-class reliability with a NETGEAR Lifetime Warranty and optional ProSupport Maintenance Packages.



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