Excellink Ships Expandable Printer Sharing Network

EcoNet Offers Easy Parallel Port Networking for up to 32 Users

San Jose, California, June 27, 1994 -- Excellink, Inc., a Hewlett-Packard
Independent Hardware Vendor, is shipping a new modular printer sharing
network that provides printer sharing, file transfer, and spooling
capabilities for PC and PC-compatible computers. The EcoNet printer
sharing network utilizes standard modular telephone cables that let users
create a printer sharing network with up to 32 nodes, any of which can be
computers or printers.

No Internal Cards - Simple Parallel Port Modules Install in Minutes

The EcoNet network consists of compact transmitter and receiver modules
that connect directly to the parallel port of computers and printers. A
transmitter module is dedicated to each computer while a receiver module
is dedicated to each printer. To complete the installation, users simply
daisy-chain the modules together with the included telephone cables.

Included Software Provides Spooling and File Transfer Capabilities

Users can specify the printer to which they want to send their jobs several
different ways through software utilities that come with the system.
Printers can be selected through a customizable pop-up menu, DOS command,
port redirection, or with text codes. Included is a print spooling utility
that provides a virtually unlimited amount of print buffering for each
user. This spooler allows users to send print jobs to the same printer at
the same time without encountering errors. The spooler utility stores each
print job to the user's hard disk or RAM in the background and then sends
the print job(s) to the printer when the printer becomes available. Also
included is a file transfer program that lets users copy files of any size
between computers on the EcoNet network.

High Speed Allows for Simultaneous Printing

Using signaling technology similar to that found on more expensive Local
Area Networks, EcoNet utilizes a 500 Kbps signal with CRC error detection
to send multiple signals over the wire simultaneously. This allows users
to print to several different printers simultaneously, with virtually no
degradation in transmission speed. The ability to access all printers on
the system simultaneously also means increased productivity, as users do
not have to wait for others to finish printing on one printer before
sending their jobs to a second printer.

Ease of Use and Low Price Offer an Attractive Alternative to LANs

"The EcoNet network can be installed in a matter of minutes, and offers
important networking features at a very competitive price," said Joe
Hartzell, director of marketing for Excellink, Inc. "Instead of buying
additional printers every time a new computer is added to an office, users
can access their existing printers for very little additional cost. The
ability to share costly peripherals is critical, yet Local Area Networks
involve too significant an investment in terms of cost and installation
time for many people. EcoNet provides a simple, cost-effective way for a
company to get the most from its existing printer investments."

EcoNet works with any computer with a Centronics-compatible parallel port
and any printer with a Centronics-compatible parallel port. EcoNet is
available directly through Excellink and its network of authorized
resellers. The transmitter modules are list priced at $59 each and the
receiver modules cost $69 each. A starter kit, consisting of two
transmitters, one receiver, two 25' cables, a power supply, and the
utility software, lists for $199. Like all Excellink products, the EcoNet
printer sharing network comes with a lifetime warranty.

Excellink, Inc., a leading manufacturer of high-performance printer
connectivity products, is located at 1430 Tully Road # 415, San Jose CA
95122. Telephone: (800) 923-5465 or (408) 295-9000 Fax: (408) 295-9011

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