SAN JOSE, Calif., December 12, 1995 -- Cisco Systems, Inc., the leadingglobal supplier of internetworking solutions, today introduced two newhigh-end router/hubs -- the 2518 and 2519 -- in its Cisco 2500 series thatintegrate the functions of a 23-port intelligent local-area network (LAN)concentrator with a remote office router in a single box. These routers arean ideal solution for connecting local devices in a branch or remote officeto a local-area network (LAN), to a wide-area network (WAN) or to theInternet. Cisco today also announced the upgrade of its Cisco Hub/RingManager for Windows with these new models.

As a result of this announcement, companies can easily extend their ISinfrastructure to branch and remote offices. Some businesses may use thesenew 2500 series products as their primary workgroup LAN concentrator andrely on a Cisco 2518 or 2519 router/hub to deliver a cost-effectiveintegrated method for providing WAN connectivity. These new products are anextension of Cisco's existing router/hub product line and feature all ofthe functionality of the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS(tm)) software, including completescalability.

"With these two new products, we're able to offer a unique solution thatprovides remote management, lowers operational costs and accommodatesfuture growth -- all in a single box," said Kevin Kennedy, divisiondirector in the company's Access Business Unit. "Cisco's integratedrouter/hub solution is also easier to install, manage, service and supportthan two separate units. Cisco has also incorporated a management interfacebus between the router and hub processors, which maximizes the independenceof the router and hub functions to provide a level of reliability androbustness that can't be achieved through the traditional use ofstand-alone routers and hubs. This is another step forward in Cisco'spromise to provide end-to-end access solutions."

Unique Connectivity, High-Port Density

The Cisco 2518 and Cisco 2519 router/hubs unite Cisco IOS software routingtechnology with intelligent hub media technology from LanOptics Ltd. ofIsrael. These units are the latest products of a 1993 agreement betweenCisco and LanOptics. The products incorporate a remote office router withtwo high-speed synchronous serial wide-area network (WAN) ports to easilysatisfy increased bandwidth requirements. Each router also features a BasicRate Interface (BRI) Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) WAN port, alow-speed synchronous WAN port, and an integrated console interface.

Cisco's two new 2500 series router/hubs also consolidate IBM legacy LAN andWAN traffic by supporting widely-used IBM SDLC protocols on either or bothsynchronous router ports. These router/hubs are a perfect solution forsites transitioning from traditional 3270/SNA terminals to a distributedclient/server computing environment. Companies can eliminate duplicate WANlines and expenses, since these router/hubs allow a single WAN to carry SNAand IP network traffic.

Cisco's new Cisco 2518 and Cisco 2519 router/hubs offer users expansioncapability. Both products support connectivity to industry-standard,third-party LAN hubs as well as units available from Cisco's developmentpartner LANOptics. The Ethernet hub capability of the Cisco 2518incorporates an Attachment Unit Interface (AUI) port and the TokenRing hubcapability of the Cisco 2519 provides an industry-standard Ring-In/Ring-Out(RI/RO) port.

The Cisco Hub/Ring Manager for Windows provides users with a sophisticatedgraphical network management capability, including configuration, accesscontrol and monitoring, through a set of add-in modules for theindustry-leading Hewlett-Packard (HP) OpenView for Windows Network NodeManager. Version II of the manager supports higher hub port density andalso supports Ethernet LAN media management. The Cisco Hub/Ring Manager forWindows runs on any 486-based IBM PC or compatible workstation and is anatural companion to the new Cisco 2518 and Cisco 2519 hub/routers.

Lower Recurring Costs

These new router/hubs feature all of the Cisco IOS software's WANoptimization features, decreasing operating costs. Remote locations thatrequire only occasional access to network services can rely on Cisco'sdial-on-demand routing (DDR) to provide WAN ISDN or serial dial-upconnectivity only when necessary rather than using expensive leased lines.In addition, snapshot routing and IPX/SPX spoofing keep router and serverstate information on both sides of the WAN connection to reduce additionaltraffic.

The Cisco 2518 and Cisco 2519 router/hubs also increase applicationavailability and bring forward a consistent level of service. Priorityoutput queuing, for instance, enables network administrators toprioritizetraffic, while customqueuing ensures that mission-criticaltraffic receives a guaranteed minimum amount of bandwidth.

Availability

Each router supports nine Cisco IOS software feature set combinations.Shipments will begin in January, 1996.

About Cisco

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the leading global supplier ofenterprise networks, includingrouters, LAN and ATM switches, dial-upaccess servers, and network management software. These products, integratedby the Cisco IOS software, linkgeographically dispersed LANs, WANs and IBMnetworks. Cisco Systems news and product/service information are availableat World Wide Web site http://www.cisco.com/. Cisco Systems isheadquartered in San Jose, Calif.

Cisco IOS is a trademark and Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco logo areregistered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. All other trademarks,registered or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners.