XIRCOM UNVEILS FIRST CORDLESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK 

Will open Xircom Netwave protocol in move to hasten interoperability and
availability of cordless local area networking

NEW YORK, NY -- June 28, 1993 -- Xircom, Inc. (NASDAQ:XIRC) today unveiled
Xircom Netwave technology, the first truly cordless approach to local area
networking. The Calabasas, Calif.-based company also announced the
technology will be available to strategic partners to foster worldwide
interoperability for this new approach to in-building, high-speed,
cordless communications.

"As computing and communication devices get smaller, the need has arisen
for freedom to move about the workplace unencumbered by wires and cables,
yet remain connected to network resources," said Dirk Gates, president and
CEO of Xircom. "Traditional wired LANs and 'wire replacement' wireless
LANs are designed for stationary desktop use and don't offer the ability
to roam freely. Xircom Netwave is the first technology to deliver on this
promise of true mobility."

"After an extensive development effort, we are proud to unveil Xircom
Netwave, a cordless LAN technology designed to deliver mobility as a
complement to current network hardware, operating systems and LAN
applications. Netwave is the cordless link needed to make the next
generation of computing/communications devices truly usable in a business
context."

Xircom Netwave Technologies

Xircom Netwave comprises a radio-based physical layer and a distributed
Media Access Control (MAC) layer protocol. It is analogous to Ethernet or
Token Ring and implements the lower two layers of the OSI seven-layer
model.

The radio is a 2.4 GHz, spread spectrum, frequency hopper that delivers a
raw data rate of one megabit per second. Xircom chose the 2.4 GHz
Industrial, Scientific and Medical band because it is the only unlicensed
radio frequency band available in the North America, Europe and Asia. The
frequency hopping scheme allows the radio to perform well in the presence
of interference, increases capacity and provides cell-to-cell isolation.
It is a low-power radio with a range of 40 to 50 meters indoors. Unlike
infrared technology, this radio will transmit through walls in a normal
office environment.

The Xircom Netwave MAC layer protocol provides an asynchronous data
delivery service that is equivalent to the service provided by Ethernet
and readily supports typical bursty LAN applications such as file access,
client/server applications, printing and e-mail. This protocol can also be
used with a variety of alternate physical layers, such as direct sequence
RF and infrared.

A major advantage of the Xircom Netwave protocol is the ability to roam
freely throughout a facility or campus with continuous, seamless
connection to network resources. Other key features include virtual
collision detection and two-level carrier sense.

Demonstrating the First Cordless LAN

Available in Fall 1993, the Xircom Netwave products represent the first
truly cordless solution, cutting both the network and the power cables.
Xircom will offer a family of connectivity products based on the 2.4 GHz,
frequency hopping, spread spectrum radio and the Xircom Netwave MAC
protocol. Each product in the family will support Novell NetWare,
Microsoft LAN Manager and many other popular network operating systems and
applications. The Xircom Netwave product line includes:

* The Xircom CreditCard Netwave Adapter, a PCMCIA Release 2.0 compliant,
Type II card, which features a totally integrated design that eliminates
the AC power cord, external circuitry and antenna. Suggested retail price
is $499.

* The Xircom Pocket Netwave Adapter which attaches to the computing device
via the parallel port and supports EPP (Enhanced Parallel Port) data
transfers for high-speed operation. A phantom power cable removes the need
for external AC power, and a hinged design allows for optimum radio
performance. Suggested retail price is $499.

* The Xircom Netwave Access Point for Ethernet provides the cordless link
between a Xircom Netwave LAN and a wired, IEEE 802.3 Ethernet LAN. The
access point features roaming, automatic load balancing for increased
capacity, power management, security and data encryption. Each access
point has a range of 50 meters or a coverage area of 65,000 square feet
with a recommended average of one access point for every ten users. The
flexible design allows for either desktop or wall mounting and features
connectors for 10BASE-T, 10BASE-2 and 10BASE-5. Suggested retail price is
$999. A Token Ring version is planned for 1994.

"With Netwave, users can actually create complete, self-contained cordless
LANs without having to connect to a wired enterprise LAN," Gates said.
"With this ad hoc network, all users can communicate directly with each
other in either a peer-to-peer or server/workstation manner to share
information and programs. All that is required for this on-demand network
is that each PC be equipped with a Xircom Netwave cordless LAN adapter."

This configuration, called a Basic Service Area (BSA), is the primary
building block for larger cordless LANs. By adding a Xircom Netwave Access
Point, the BSA can be connected to the wired network, making all of the
wired LAN services and resources available to the cordless users within
range. In larger environments, multiple access points can be used to
extend the service area enterprisewide. This capability, known as roaming,
is a key access point feature. Users are ensured of seamless, in-building
connectivity as they move from service area to service area and remain
connected to their LAN. 

Opening Up The Technology

"Over the past three years, a number of companies, including Xircom, have
been contributing to the wireless LAN standards effort of the IEEE 802.11
committee," Gates said. "Although the committee has been working
diligently on this standard, we are still years away from a final
document. Until that time, we will cooperate and work closely with key
industry participants to deliver Xircom Netwave-based products. We believe
this initiative will stimulate a wider acceptance of this cordless LAN
technology and will generate the growth of cordless communications
worldwide."

In unveiling the technology today, Gates announced technology licensing
agreements with Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., and NCR Microelectronics
Products Division. Also announced today, Xircom and Digital Equipment
Corporation have entered into discussions to jointly develop mobility
enhancements for wireless communications. AST Research, Dell Computer
Corp., NEC Technologies, Inc., Norand Corp., Novell Corp. and Sun
Microsystems Computer Corp. expressed support for Xircom Netwave
technology.

Founded in 1988, Xircom is the leader in the development and manufacture of
external connectivity solutions for the personal computer market. The
company pioneered the use of the universal PC parallel port to connect PCs
to a LAN and has sold more than 500,000 external LAN adapters to date.

Xircom's U.S. headquarters is located at 26025 Mureau Road, Calabasas,
California 91302. Telephone is (818) 878-7600 or (800) 874-7875. Fax is
(818) 878-7630. Xircom also has offices in Reston, Virginia; Antwerp,
Belgium; and Hong Kong.

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