Atheros Communications
Announces Industry’s First Open Source Simple Configuration Software for
Personal Wireless LANs
JumpStart for Wireless™ offers
broad-based device interoperability for simple, secure WLAN configuration
SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 2, 2005 –
Atheros Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR), a leading developer of advanced
wireless solutions, today announced that the company will offer its JumpStart
for Wireless security configuration software on an open-source basis for free
use by anyone in the WLAN industry. The availability of the JumpStart
Developer’s Kit marks the first time that all the elements needed by customers
to create and offer a user-friendly WLAN security setup system have been
provided in open source form.
“We're taking aggressive steps to make our secure
configuration software available on an open source basis because it benefits the
wireless LAN industry as a whole and therefore helps Atheros and our customers,”
said Craig Barratt, president and chief executive officer of Atheros
Communications.
“Customers have expressed concern about getting locked into
proprietary security systems that limit hardware choices. JumpStart’s ability to
work with virtually any silicon solution avoids this problem as well as the
fragmentation that would occur if every silicon vendor introduces a different
configuration system. We fully support the Wi-Fi Alliance’s work toward
developing an industry-standard security setup system. Until that standard
becomes available, JumpStart is an excellent option for any WLAN product vendor
wishing to offer a simple and secure network configuration experience that
supports a wide variety of devices on a broad array of platforms.”
JumpStart leverages the protocol underlying today’s secure
e-commerce transactions (the Diffie-Hellman key exchange protocol) along with
other proven industry-standard protocols. While these protocols make it possible
to achieve enterprise-class WLAN security, designing a secure system that is
also easy to use has proven challenging for vendors. JumpStart eliminates this
challenge by providing a pre-packaged solution that is readily available in open
source form.
Built from the ground up to provide broad interoperability,
JumpStart works with a wide array of WLAN silicon solutions—not only Atheros
chipsets, but also those from Intel (Centrino), Marvell and Broadcom. It also
works with a broad range of platforms including laptop PCs, cell phones,
cameras, printers and MP3 players. JumpStart also supports profile management
tools such as Microsoft Wireless Zero Configuration.
Major vendors support JumpStart
Major WLAN equipment vendors have already embraced
JumpStart and are supporting Atheros’ decision to provide the software in open
source form. “When selling technology to the mass market consumer, security and
ease of use are of top priority,” said Brian Larsen, director of wireless
product management for D-Link, a leading US-based networking manufacturer.
“D-Link is a standards-based manufacturer and we support Atheros’ efforts to
offer solutions that don't rely on proprietary security schemes which create
lock-in on the hardware side.”
“At Corega, our mission is to serve our end users with
products that are simple, secure and offer the flexibility consumers require as
they add a complete array of devices to their personal WLANs,” said Sho Katoh,
President of Corega, a major Japan-based access-point supplier. “JumpStart helps
us satisfy these customer needs with a solution that we hope will be adopted by
WLAN vendors worldwide.”
JumpStart Developer’s Kit and logo
The JumpStart Developer’s Kit comprises a set of software
components for WLAN clients and access points (APs) as well as an application
programming interface (API) for working with client-based applications. With
these components, systems vendors can implement the JumpStart simple
configuration system with little additional effort.
Additionally, vendors who want to convey the networking
interoperability of their products may obtain from Atheros a license to use the
JumpStart logo after proving that their JumpStart implementations interoperate
with existing JumpStart-enabled devices. The logo will help consumers identify
products that offer easy-to-configure security supporting a broad array of
devices.
Atheros is committed to maintaining and enhancing the
JumpStart code into the future. Further, the company welcomes contributions from
the developer community for adding improvements and new functionality, which
will be posted for use under an OSI certified open source license. JumpStart for
Wireless is now OSI Certified Open Source Software.
The JumpStart open source code, license and supporting
materials will be available from SourceForge, at
http://jumpstart-wl.sourceforge.net
About Atheros Communications, Inc.
Atheros Communications is a leading developer of
semiconductor system solutions for wireless communications products. Atheros
combines its wireless systems expertise with high-performance radio frequency
(RF), mixed signal and digital semiconductor design skills to provide highly
integrated chipsets that are manufacturable on low-cost, standard complementary
metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes. Atheros technology is being used by
a broad base of leading customers, including personal computer and networking
equipment manufacturers. For more information, visit
www.atheros.com or send email to
info@atheros.com.
# # #
Atheros, the Atheros logo, and JumpStart for
Wireless are trademarks of Atheros Communications, Inc. All other trademarks
mentioned in this document are the sole property of their respective owners.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Except for the historical information
contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including
statements regarding the features, performance and benefits of Atheros'
JumpStart for Wireless solution and the potential applications of JumpStart; and
the expected market trend towards more types of devices integrating WLAN
technology, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially, including, but not limited to, difficulties in the development of
new products and upgraded products, including JumpStart; unforeseen problems in
the performance and integration of JumpStart with various WLAN devices; whether
JumpStart will be successfully interoperable and compatible with devices that
use configuration and security features and WLAN chips other than Atheros';
whether customers will find JumpStart easy to configure and install; and other
risks detailed in Atheros' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004 as filed with the SEC and in other reports filed with the SEC
by Atheros from time to time. These forward-looking statements speak only as of
the date hereof. Atheros disclaims any obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.
Cheryl Patstone, 408-773-5344, cheryl@atheros.com,
or Greg Wood, A&R Partners, 650-762-2838,
gwood@arpartners.com,
For analyst contact: Deborah Stapleton, Investor
Relations for Atheros, 650-470-0200,
deb@stapleton.com
