FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
        US Media Contact: Joe Stunkard  International Media 
                                        Contact: Adriana Gomez
        Voice: 602/670-7145             Voice: 602/670-7300 
        Fax: 602/670-7101                Fax: 602/670-7101 
        MCI Mail: 532-6657      
 
ARTISOFT ANNOUNCES NEW LANTASTIC INTERCHANGE(TM) SOFTWARE 
 
        (TUCSON, AZ -- September 14, 1993) -- Artisoft, Inc. 
announced today that it has developed a new software product 
that provides bridging and routing capabilities for 
LANtastic(R) Local Area Network v5.0 users. The LANtastic 
Interchange software will link LANtastic networks that are 
running over dissimilar hardware, cabling and topologies -- 
including Ethernet, Arcnet and Token Ring. This new software, 
scheduled to begin shipping in fall 1993, will be priced at 
$199 per segment. 
 
        "This new software will offer an extended level of 
connectivity for our LANtastic network users. Not only can 
they segment their existing networks to reduce traffic and 
improve performance, but they can also link two separate 
networks into a single network to share information, 
peripherals and resources," commented Dave Hallmen, Vice 
President of Sales & Marketing for Artisoft. 
 
Bridges Networks
        The LANtastic Interchange software will enable network 
interconnectivity between dissimilar hardware and cable 
types, as well as all supported LANtastic network topologies 
including 2Mbps, Ethernet, Arcnet, Token Ring and the 
LANtastic Z(TM) network. For example, this connectivity can 
provide a growth path for users of Artisoft's original 2Mbps 
LANtastic network by allowing them to expand their existing 
network with Ethernet nodes. To achieve this bridging 
capability, users simply install the LANtastic Interchange 
software, a 2Mbps network adapter and an Ethernet network 
adapter on a designated network PC, which can be either a 
workstation or a server. This will enable the two dissimilar 
topologies to communicate on a single network.
 
        The LANtastic Interchange software also extends the 
LANtastic Z network from a two-user network to a fully 
functional node on the network -- either locally or 
remotely. Once connected, this node will have full access to 
all resources on the network. When used in conjunction with 
the LANtastic Interchange software, the dial-up capabilities 
of the LANtastic Z network will also allow users to achieve 
simple wide area networking between remote sites.
 
Routes Packets
        Using source and destination addresses to 
differentiate between networks, the LANtastic Interchange 
software will route data packets between networks, sending 
each packet to the appropriate network segment along the 
fastest and most efficient path, thus reducing network 
traffic and improving performance. 
 
        A Learning mode will add flexibility to network 
administration by allowing addresses to be grouped into 
different tables that can be edited. Administrators can add 
or remove node addresses from a table, save the table after 
edits, or remove all addresses in order to build a new 
table. Administrators can also assign a password to the 
table to provide a level of security and isolate nodes on 
the network to prevent them from forwarding packets. A 
Statistics feature will allow administrators to monitor 
network traffic by showing the number of packets sent, 
received and discarded.
 
        Artisoft develops and manufactures a full line of 
innovative, cost-effective network communication solutions 
including the award-winning LANtastic Local Area Network. 
Recognized as the leader in peer-to-peer networking for DOS 
and WindowsTM  environments, the LANtastic network also 
offers multiplatform connectivity solutions for NetWare(R), 
TCP/IP and Macintosh(R) systems. It allows up to 500 users 
on one network to connect and share information and 
peripheral devices such as printers, hard drives and CD- 
ROMs. Artisoft maintains nine international offices and 
distributes the LANtastic network and its other connectivity 
products in over 70 countries worldwide.
 
        For more information about Artisoft or its product 
line, contact Artisoft, Inc. at 2202 N. Forbes Blvd., 
Tucson, AZ 85745. Sales 800/233-5564. 
Corporate 602/670-7100. Fax 602/670-7101. 
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