CABLETRON UNVEILS SECUREFAST VIRTUAL NETWORKING

Industry's Most Advanced Intranet Management System

LAS VEGAS -- NETWORLD+INTEROP -- APRIL 3, 1996 -- Cabletron Systems
(NYSE:CS) today unveiled SecureFast Virtual Networking, the industry's
most comprehensive product set for implementing and managing switched
virtual intranetworks. The next-generation line of products make
enterprise networks easier to administer, providing key tools for managing
and defining policy for user access to essential resources on corporate
intranets and the Internet. SecureFast provides increased performance and
an unmatched level of network control.

The new SecureFast offerings include VLAN Manager and VNET Manager -- the
first connection-oriented virtual network management applications.

"Surging commercial use of corporate intranets has placed new demands on
network managers in their efforts to maintain the control and reliability
of their corporate networks," said John Morency, principal at the
Registry, a Stratham, N.H.-based consultancy. "Cabletron is strategically
positioned with its SecureFast technology to not only address customers
increased bandwidth requirements, but can also provide critical management
tools that put network control back in the hands of the network manager
responsible for intranet success."

"VLAN Ready" Switches - The Core

SecureFast combines the best elements of bridging and routing technologies
with connection-oriented switching. Essential to Cabletron's SecureFast
architecture is the ability to embed layer 3 virtual routing services
directly into its high-performance switches. Through a simple firmware
upgrade, customers can add "intranet management" software to a broad line
of Cabletron switches, including an installed base of over 1 million
ports.

Cabletron's "connection-oriented" technology refers to the ability to route
the first packet and switch all successive packets, unlike competitors'
products which must route every packet when communicating between two
VLANs. Once SecureFast programs a connection, all subsequent packets over
the same path are transmitted without additional routing -- similar to
technology used in the world's largest and most reliable networks,
including telephony, SNA, Frame Relay and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
networks. With this architecture, users avoid latency and performance
problems and build intranetworks that more closely mirror the
organizational structure of their business.

Since SecureFast implements the same connection-oriented concepts as ATM,
customers are guaranteed a smooth migration from packet-based LANs to
rapidly evolving cell-based technologies. SecureFast Switching allows
customers to receive many of the benefits of ATM such as security and
accountability within their existing network infrastructures.

An equally important SecureFast feature is a broadcast interception service
which resolves issues such as security, broadcasts, multi- casts and
network flooding. Broadcast interception allows customers to
cost-effectively control broadcast traffic in a switched network without
requiring a router. When compared to routers, the purchase price for a
multi-port SecureFast Switch is significantly less than the price of a
traditional router, with greater performance.

Cabletron "VLAN Ready" products immediately supporting SecureFast include
the Multi Media Access Center" (MMAC"), MMAC-Plus" and the new SmartSwitch
family. Cabletron switches shipping as early as 1993 support SecureFast,
enabling customers to preserve hardware investments.

VLAN Manger and VNET Manager -- Managing Virtual Networks

In conjunction with its SecureFast announcement, Cabletron is unveiling
VLAN Manager, the industry's only connection-oriented VLAN solution.
Designed to provide a cost-effective, simple-to-use interface for
assigning users to a VLAN, the new switch management application provides
graphical VLAN management capabilities for Cabletron switches.

Initially available as an application for Cabletron's SPECTRUM" enterprise
management platform, VLAN Manager addresses critical management
requirements in logically defining, managing and configuring virtual LANs.
Cabletron will also develop versions to run on SNMP-based management
platforms including HP's OpenView, Sun's SunNet Manager and IBM's NetView
for AIX, as well as a standalone version for Windows NT.

VNET Manger -- Advanced Management Services

Cabletron has also unveiled VNET Manager for customers requiring
value-added services such as policy management, call management and call
accounting.

Designed to provide advanced virtual networking capabilities, the new VNET
Manager platform provides network managers with more extensive control
over user access to key network resources. VNET Manager's automated
connection-management services provide users with powerful network
management capabilities such as network security, resource allocation,
call accounting and monitoring.

The core components of VNET Manager include the SecureFast Switch Client
software, the SecureFast Management Suite and a SecureFast Virtual
Network

SERVER (SFVNS). Available as a rack-mountable server, the SFVNS enforces
all user-defined rules of the switched network. The company will also
develop an SFVNS module for its MMAC-Plus enterprise switch platform.

Products are competitively priced. Volume discounts are available. Contact
local sales representatives for specifics. Cabletron Systems is the
recognized leader in providing high-performance intranetworking solutions,
including LAN and ATM switches and advanced network and systems management
software. Under its Synthesis product framework, Cabletron markets
products throughout the world for linking and managing enterprise-wide
networks.

With corporate headquarters in Rochester, NH, Cabletron employs over 5,700
people worldwide. Cabletron's common stock is traded over the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol CS. Over the last four quarters, the
company has reported record revenue of $1.1 billion.
 
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