Cabletron Ethernet SmartSwitch Earns High Scores in Strategic
Networks/Harvard Performance Tests

SmartSwitch Outperforms Leading Switches in Throughput Performance

ROCHESTER, NH -- APRIL 30, 1996 -- Cabletron Systems (NYSE:CS) today
announced that its Ethernet SmartSwitch received high marks in the first
independent tests of the product. The SmartSwitch family leverages
Cabletron's extensive experience as the intelligent modular hub market
leader to deliver customers an unprecedented level of manageability and
reliability for building enterprise- wide switched virtual networks.

The Ethernet SmartSwitch was included in a group of products from 18
vendors participating in the 1996 Ethernet Switching Test & Evaluation
sponsored by Strategic Networks Consulting in conjunction with the Harvard
University Network Device Test Lab. Cabletron submitted Ethernet modules
for its MMAC SmartSwitch, Workgroup SmartSwitch and MMAC-Plus enterprise
switching platforms. The SmartSwitches received high scores in key testing
criteria including throughput, latency, packet loss rate and compliance to
network management standards.

"With the SmartSwitches, Cabletron brings impressive, test-verified
performance, plus the scalability of an ASIC switch design to its flagship
MMAC and MMAC-Plus hub platforms," said Rolf McClellan, senior consultant
with Strategic Networks.

"The Ethernet SmartSwitch brings high-end switching capabilities to
workgroup, wiring closet and data center environments," said Chris Oliver,
Cabletron's director of engineering and manufacturing. "Based on its
excellent performance in this recent battery of tests, the SmartSwitch is
positioned as a reliable platform for implementing switched virtual
networks."

SMARTSWITCH SCORES HIGH IN KEY TESTS

When tested for throughput and latency, the SmartSwitch achieved full
wire-speed forwarding rates on each stream of traffic with no packet loss,
resulting in 100 percent throughput at all packet sizes. Latency was
measured at 19 microseconds, the same latency as that of industry ATM
switches. Low latency with little or no variance is critical for
time-sensitive multi-media and desktop video conferencing applications.
Latency variance was demonstrated at only 0.1 microseconds across the full
range of packet sizes.

Under a bi-directional throughput test in which data traffic was sent in
both directions through the switch, Cabletron achieved higher end-to-end
throughput than products from leading internetworking vendors, including
switches from Bay Networks, Cisco, CrossCom, Digital, IBM, 3Com, UB
Networks and Xylan. Designed to test the switches ability to deliver data
in a real-life, client-server environment, the test measures how much data
was successfully delivered through the switch in a fixed amount of time.
Cabletron's superior throughput can be attributed to the advanced design
of the SmartSwitch Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

Complete test results from Strategic Networks' Ethernet Switch Evaluation
can be accessed on the World Wide Web at http://www.snci.com.

SECUREFAST - NEXT GENERATION VIRTUAL NETWORKING

With the recent introduction of Cabletron's SecureFast Virtual Networking
software, Cabletron's SmartSwitches have extended the benchmark for switch
comparison beyond performance, to include manageability and support for
comprehensive virtual networking capabilities. SecureFast technology
provides an unmatched level of network control and guaranteed investment
protection, allowing for increased performance, better communication and
lower overall operations costs.

Essential to Cabletron's SecureFast Switching 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 virtual routing software to a broad line of Cabletron switches,
including an installed base of over 2 million ports.

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.

Cabletron's World Wide Web site can be reached on the Internet at http//
www.ctron.com

CABLETRON SYSTEMS, INC.
(603) 332-9400
 
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