SAN JOSE, Calif., September 21, 1998 - Cisco Systems, Inc., today announced availability of the Cisco universal broadband router 904 (uBR904) cable modem, the newest addition to a wide range of Internet access solutions from Cisco aimed at the small office, home office (SOHO) and telecommuter markets. The high-performance cable modem is the first in the industry developed specifically for small business environments.

The Cisco uBR904 cable modem is a plug-and-play product that integrates a full-featured Cisco router with a two-way cable modem based on the industry-wide Data-Over-Cable System Interface Specification (DOCSIS) ITU J.112 standard. The new cable modem enables Multiple System Operators (MSOs) to deliver secure, high-speed connectivity to business users running mission critical applications over small to medium local area networks (LANs). It delivers a powerful combination of enterprise-class networking and security features with high bandwidth capabilities of up to 40 Mbps downstream and 10 Mbps upstream at a more cost-effective price than any alternative solution available today.

The new product is in full production with more than 2,000 units already deployed by over 20 cable operators, including some of the largest MSOs in the U.S. and Canada.

"We have deployed the Cisco uBR904 cable modem in our DOCSIS rollout in Chesterfield, Va., and have found that it integrates extremely well with our existing infrastructure and allows us to deliver advanced data, voice and video services across the Comcast network," said Richard Rasmus, vice president, Comcast Online Communications. "With the Cisco solution, we can provide reliable, secure Internet access for our customers at unbelievable speeds."

Advanced Routing and Security Features for Small Offices

By combining the functionality of a full-featured, edge router with a cable modem, the new product enables small offices to replace combinations of routers, bridges, hubs, and single-port cable modems with just one product. It contains a hub with four Ethernet port adapters that can support an unlimited number of Internet Protocol (IP) network devices, including personal computers, fax machines, printers and scanners, but it is recommended for deployments of 100 or less networked devices. When compared with bridging-based cable modem solutions, the routing functionality of the Cisco uBR904 cable modem also offers superior LAN performance by eliminating network congestion and degradation due to broadcast messages.

Security is provided through full implementation of DOCSIS Baseline Privacy, which includes the RSA public-key Data Encryption Standard (DES), widely recognized as the standard for ensuring security and privacy in telecommunications infrastructures. For corporate telecommuting and e-commerce applications, IP tunneling and firewall capabilities will be provided in early 1999. These security features will protect a small business's LAN and provide virtual private network (VPN) tunneling support for authenticated and encrypted connectivity.

"The Cisco uBR904 cable modem redefines broadband networking, enabling MSOs to fully exploit the power of cable's fiber-rich intelligent network infrastructure," said Paul Bosco, general manager of Cisco's Cable Products and Solutions Division. "With it, MSOs can now deliver services to a new set of business customers looking for cost-effective ways to run multiple applications, including multi-site virtual private networks, broadband Internet access, secure telecommuting and outsourced email and web hosting."

Investment Protection

The Cisco uBR904 cable modem offers advanced features today and investment protection for tomorrow using the future-proof software upgradeable Cisco IOS. platform for full protocol and remote management support. With the networking power of Cisco IOS software embedded into the product, customers receive the ability to perform IP routing, easy IP, fast switching and network address translation. As new features become available for Cisco IOS software, customers can easily download them without having to make costly hardware upgrades.

Availability

The Cisco uBR904 cable modem is shipping now worldwide.

Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at http://www.cisco.com. For additional information on Cisco cable products, visit http://www.cisco.com/cable.

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