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• More Information about the Cisco UBR7426

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SAN JOSE, Calif. - December 2, 1997 - Cisco Systems, Inc. today announced its cable data product line with the introduction of the Cisco UBR7246 Universal Broadband Router and associated Multimedia Cable Network System (MCNS) modem cards. The standards-based Cisco UBR7246 is the industry's first MCNS-compliant integrated router and cable modem shelf providing cable operators with benefits over existing bridging solutions, including increased network security, bandwidth efficiency and centralized management and control. These benefits enable cable providers to offer new, differentiated services including high-speed Internet access, streaming video, secure data services and virtual private networks (VPNs), thereby increasing their profitability.

Networking Expertise, Speed and End-to-End Simplified Management

Based on the high-end Cisco 7200 router, the Cisco uBR 7246 provides over 600 Mbps of bandwidth capacity and switching performance at 100,000 packets per second (pps). The Cisco UBR7246 offers cable providers a reliable networking solution with the full suite of Cisco IOS software. Cisco IOS software facilitates management of network resources, allocation of quality of service (QoS) among applications and provision of value-added functions including NetFlow Switching and Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) for continuous and guaranteed connection. The Cisco UBR7246 offers Web-based management to simplify router configuration and management. It eliminates the need for separate colocated routers, further simplifying management and reducing space requirements and costs for cable providers.

Investment Protection through Flexibility

The modular, scalable design of the Cisco UBR7246 provides cable operators with maximum flexibility to accommodate a wide variety of backbone network architectures and enables operators to scale their headends as demands dictate. The new product contains four slots for plug-in modem cards and two slots for plug-in network interface cards (NICs). The chassis can be populated with multiple types of interchangeable modem cards, enabling cable operators to deploy subscriber modems without concern for future technology shifts. Cisco will add to its current MCNS modem card offering during 1998, providing a variety of modem cards depending on cable providers' requirements.

"This approach extends the power of Cisco's network all the way to the modem and home," stated David Fellows, chief technology officer of U S WEST Media Group. "It gives the cable operator excellent QoS and management control, irrespective of MCNS modem type. Then, by rolling out interchangeable cards with increasing densities, it enables U S WEST to begin deploying quickly and yet still scale up very efficiently to a very large network configuration. And finally, by supporting other types of modems in the same headend package, Cisco gives us a hedge against future technology developments, thereby protecting our invested capital."

Teaming to Ensure Interoperability

Cisco and a number of manufacturers, including Com21, Hayes, Samsung, Sony, Terayon and Thomson, recently announced that they are teaming to ensure the wide-scale availability of low-cost, interoperable residential cable modems based on the Data-over-Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS), a standards-based set of specifications managed by the MCNS partners. The announcement of the DOCSIS-compliant Cisco UBR7246 builds on this commitment. "Cisco shares our vision that an intelligent, broadband network is the foundation for delivering high-speed data services to homes and businesses," said Milo Medin, vice president of @Home Network. "Their focus on interoperability will provide us with maximum flexibility to scale our network as we continue to deploy the @Home service."

"Cisco has worked hard to line up the right plans and partners to make standard, interoperable modems a reality. We applaud their efforts and success," said Alex Best, senior vice president of engineering for Cox Communications.

Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. at http://www.cisco.com.

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Cisco IOS is a trademark, and Cisco, Cisco Systems, and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.