FREMONT, Calif., June 26, 1995-- Grand Junction Networks Inc., the leader
in switched 10 Mbps Ethernet and 100Base-T Fast Ethernet technologies,
today announced the FastSwitch 10/100 FDDI, a new switch that delivers the
benefits of Ethernet desktop switching to FDDI networks.  The FastSwitch
10/100 FDDI provides private Ethernet for users and high-speed
connectivity to FDDI servers and backbones. Starting at $299 per port,
about half the cost of the least- expensive Ethernet/FDDI switch on the
market today, the new desktop switch offers unparalleled price/performance
and unmatched configuration flexibility.

The FastSwitch 10/100 FDDI has 25 switched 10 Mbps ports, providing private
Ethernet connections for users, and a choice of either a fiber Dual
Attachment Station (DAS), fiber Single Attachment Station (SAS) or
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) SAS modular FDDI connection. The switch
provides an additional high-speed expansion slot for a second FDDI
connection, a 100Base-T connection or a future ATM connection.

A New Standard for Value

The FastSwitch 10/100 FDDI delivers a high level of performance and a rich
feature set at an exceptionally low price point. The switch provides
wire-speed bridging (14,880 packets per second (pps)) on every Ethernet
port, and uses an IBM Power PC-based forwarding engine to transfer packets
from Ethernet to FDDI at a rate of up to 100,000 pps. Aggregate forwarding
bandwidth for the switch is up to 170 Mbps, or up to 270 Mbps using an
optional FastMate module.

Support for IP fragmentation enhances the efficiency of Ethernet-to-FDDI
data transfers in IP-based networks by allowing communication using FDDI's
maximum frame size (4,500 byte). Ethernet-to-FDDI switches that do not
support IP fragmentation limit data transmission on the FDDI ring to the
smaller Ethernet-size packets, slowing performance and increasing
configuration complexity.

High-Speed Configuration and Media Flexibility

The FastSwitch 10/100 FDDI is equipped with a single modular FDDI port
(fiber DAS, fiber SAS or UTP SAS). Fiber DAS connections are ideal for
backbone connectivity allowing direct connection to a dual ring or dual
homing to an FDDI concentrator for greater reliability. Fiber and UTP SAS
connections are best suited for connection to a server, router or
single-attachment to a concentrator. The fiber ports support multimode
fiber-optic cabling and the UTP port supports Category 5 UTP copper
cabling.

The switch also has an expansion slot for additional high-speed
connectivity. Using Grand's FastMate modules, the expansion slot can
support a second FDDI connection, a shared or full-duplex switched
100Base-T fiber or UTP connection, or, in the future, an ATM connection.

Easy to Install and Manage

IP fragmentation support saves valuable network administrator time by
eliminating the need to reconfigure the maximum allowable packet size on
FDDI-based devices in IP networks. The switch's automatic recognition/
translation function eliminates the need to reconfigure a common packet
format for all Ethernet devices in IPX networks. In addition, support for
bridge tunneling allows AppleTalk Phase 1 and Phase 2 devices to coexist
on the network.

Management of the FastSwitch 10/100 FDDI is equally simple and can be
accomplished in-band using any SNMP or FDDI SMT 7.3 management station, or
out-of-band directly or through a modem using Grand's menu-based
management console.

And the switch's unique diagnostic mode lets you monitor traffic for a
single port, a group of ports or the entire switch through a single
network analyzer or RMON probe.

Pricing and Availability

The FastSwitch 10/100 FDDI is available in three models varied by the type
of integrated FDDI connection. All products will be available in July 1995
with U.S. list prices as follows:

FDDI Connection         Model             U.S. SLP    $/Port
Fiber DAS               G5510-FDAS        $8,995       $346
Fiber SAS               G5510-FSAS        $8,295       $319
UTP SAS                 G5510-USAS        $7,775       $299

Grand Junction Networks             For More information:
Main phone: 1-510-252-8566          Phone: 1-800-747-FAST (3278)
Fax: 1-510-252-0915                 Grand FastFAX: 1-510-252-0918
                                    Email:  info@grandjunction.com
 
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