Ten Leading Enterprise Networking Vendors Choose Atheros Multimode Wireless LAN Chips

World-class Security and Dual-band Support Drives Atheros Momentum in the Market for Enterprise Networking Gear

NETWORLD+INTEROP, LAS VEGAS, April 29, 2003—Atheros Communications, the leading developer of advanced wireless LAN (WLAN) technology, today announced that ten of the industry’s top established and emerging vendors for enterprise networking equipment are using Atheros chipsets as the basis for multimode wireless LAN (WLAN) access points. Combined with Atheros’ dominance of the laptop market for multimode WLAN connectivity, the momentum in design wins for access points brings Atheros to the forefront in enterprise wireless networking.

“We’re seeing a significant shift in wireless LAN implementations from add-on products to integrated solutions, which suit enterprise users well,” said Gemma Paulo, research analyst at In-Stat/MDR. “Enterprise IT departments are becoming more comfortable with WLAN security measures, and are looking to multimode technology to future-proof their networks. Atheros' solution is a natural fit for what enterprise customers are looking for in wireless connectivity.”

Added Craig Barratt, president and chief executive officer of Atheros, “As the clear leader in 802.11a/b/g and 802.11b/g multimode silicon technology, Atheros has seen tremendous success in retail products. Now we are seeing a similar trend in products developed specifically for enterprise customers. The enterprise wireless networking market is poised for explosive growth, and Atheros is leading the way in partnership with many of the leading enterprise networking firms.”

Products for the enterprise

These networking equipment vendors have recently announced multimode enterprise access point products based on Atheros technology:

• 3Com—3Com® Wireless LAN Access Point 8500, 3Com Wireless LAN Access Point 8700

• Airespace—Airespace 1200 Access Point

• Aruba Wireless Networks—Aruba 50 Access Point

• Avaya—Avaya Wireless™ AP-3 Access Point

• Chantry Networks—Chantry BP200 BeaconPoint™

• Intermec—Intermec MobileLAN™ Access WA21, Intermec MobileLAN Access WA22, Intermec MobileLAN Access 2106

• Nortel Networks—Nortel Networks WLAN - Access Point 2220, Nortel Networks WLAN - Mobile Adapter 2201

• Proxim—ORiNOCO® AP-600a, ORiNOCO AP-600g, ORiNOCO AP-2000, ORiNOCO AP-2500, ORiNOCO 11a/b/g ComboCard

• Symbol Technologies—Symbol Access Port WSAP-5030

• Trapeze Networks—Trapeze Networks 802.11a/b Mobility Point™

Additionally, as Atheros announced on January 29, 2003, four of the top five PC vendors—HP, IBM, NEC and Toshiba—have based their notebook PCs’ integrated multimode WLAN capability on Atheros technology. Because these notebooks provide multimode wireless connectivity without the need for an add-in card, they ensure that users can easily access Wi-Fi wireless networks throughout an enterprise environment as well as in home or hot spot environments.

Security and multimode connectivity

The key to expanding the market for enterprise wireless LANs has been the implementation of robust security measures and multimode support. Security standards such as Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and IEEE 802.11i have assured enterprise IT departments that WLANs based on these standards are as secure as wireline networks.

All Atheros products include these security measures with hardware support to enable full-speed performance with AES, WPA, and WEP encryption. In contrast, many competing solutions run at their advertised speeds only when encryption functions are disabled. Atheros chipsets thus resolve security issues without compromising performance.

By providing support for 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g networks in a single chipset, Atheros also simplifies wireless LAN deployment. While providing backward compatibility for legacy 802.11b devices, Atheros’ multimode 802.11a/b/g and b/g solutions achieve up to five times the speed—and more than 20 times the user capacity—of legacy 802.11b networks. Atheros is the only volume provider of a single 802.11-compliant chipset supporting all Wi-Fi standards and all international radio frequencies.

Additionally, software provided by Atheros manages advanced performance features and seamless roaming between 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g networks in all countries using one common driver. Enterprise users thus have the flexibility to roam in mixed-WLAN environments without changing any configuration settings. 

Visit Atheros at N+I

For more information about Atheros’ products, please visit www.atheros.com or stop by the Atheros booth #6761 at the NetWorld+Interop Conference, April 29-May 1 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

About Atheros Communications, Inc.

Atheros Communications is the leading developer of networking technologies for secure, high-performance wireless local area networks. As the industry innovator and market-share leader in multi-mode wireless solutions compliant with the IEEE 802.11 specifications, Atheros is driving transparent connections among electronic devices in the office, home and on the road. Atheros technology is being used by many of the world's leading wireless equipment manufacturers including 3Com, Accton, Acer, Acrowave Systems, Actiontec, AIRAYA, Airespace, AirVast Technology, ALPS, Alvarion, Ambit, Aruba Wireless Networks, Askey, ASUS, Avaya, BenQ, Chantry Networks, Contec, CyberTAN, Dacom, Delta Networks, D-Link, Elecom, Fujitsu, Gemtek, Gigabyte Technology, Global Sun Tech, HP, IBM, Icom, Intel, Intermec, I-O Data, IPone, Legend, Linksys, NEC, NETGEAR, Nortel Networks, Philips, Proxim, Samsung, Senao, SMC Networks, Sony, Symbol Technologies, TDK, TECOM, Toshiba, Trapeze Networks, USI, W2 Networks, Wistron NeWeb, Z-Com and others. For more information, visit www.atheros.com or send email to info@atheros.com.

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For press and analyst inquiries contact: Cheryl Patstone, 408-773-5344, cheryl@atheros.com or Greg Wood, A&R Partners, 650-762-2838, gwood@arpartners.com.