SNMP-Managed Hub with Built-In Support for Four Novell Print Servers

BOISE, ID, May 9, 1994 -- Extended Systems today announced a new 10BASE-T
hub with built-in support for four Novell print servers. ExtendHub
ESI-4216A from Extended Systems incorporates SNMP-managed Ethernet hub
capability and Novell print server technology into a single product.
ExtendHub allows LAN administrators to connect up to 16 PCs and 4 printers
directly to an Ethernet network. It also supports advanced management
controls for both the hub and the print servers. By combining managed hub
and print server functions into one solution, users receive valuable
savings, more centralized management of PCs and printers, plus ultimate
flexibility in one easy-to-use hub solution. ExtendHub solves workgroup
and departmental needs for both network print servers and SNMP-managed
10BASE-T hub connections, all at an unmanaged hub price.

Hub offers both PC and Printer Connectivity

ExtendHub ESI-4216A offers PC and printer connectivity in one easy-to-use
solution, eliminating the need to purchase multiple products to solve
users' fundamental network connectivity needs. In a traditional network
environment, LAN administrators purchase intelligent hubs to meet their
10BASE-T network connectivity needs but are still faced with the
additional challenge of providing their users with convenient,
cost-effective access to printers.

In order for the printer to be connected to the network, the administrator
must dedicate a PC to act as a print server or purchase a specialized
print server to connect the printer directly to the network for maximum
printing performance. Regardless of which path is chosen, the LAN
administrator is required to use a node(s) on the hub plus purchase
additional equipment to solve printer connectivity needs. ExtendHub is
ready, out-of-the-box to connect up to 16 10BASE-T devices and 4 dedicated
network printers, thereby meeting LAN administrators' PC and printer
connectivity needs.

Integrated Functionality Offers Savings

"As hub pricing continues to fall, customers are looking for increased
value from their internetworking connectivity solutions," says ExtendHub
Product Manager, Mark Willnerd. "ExtendHub was specifically designed to
address the needs of those customers who want more functionality and
performance at a lower price," he concluded. Now for the price of a
standard unmanaged Ethernet hub, users can meet both their 10BASE-T hub
and Novell print server requirements. For one low price of $1295 (U.S.
list price), ExtendHub offers users all the functionality of a traditional
managed hub, plus the flexibility of a dedicated Novell print server
supporting up to four printers. In traditional network configurations, a
user can spend more than $1600 for a 12-port managed hub, plus $495 for
each of the four print server connections (estimates based on average U.S.
list prices). ExtendHub ESI-4216A will be available August 1, 1994.
Extended Systems is currently shipping an eight-port unmanaged 10BASE-T
hub with a built-in Novell print server priced at $535 (U.S. list price).

Full-Featured Novell Print Servers Built In

ExtendHub offers robust Novell print servers which allow users to turn four
parallel printers into network printers. No longer are users required to
purchase additional print servers to connect printers to the network.
ExtendHub incorporates four parallel ports, two DB25 parallel ports and
two ExtendedLink ports, to provide convenient print server support in one
central easy-to-manage location. Extended Systems' patented ExtendedLink
technology allows administrators to maintain centralized control of the
hub and print servers while at the same time placing the printers in
convenient locations close to users.

ExtendedLink maintains full parallel data rates while enabling the printers
to be placed up to 150 meters (50 meters longer than 10BASE-T connections)
from the ExtendHub.

ExtendHub's print server functionality includes all the features users
expect from Extended Systems comprehensive line of ExtendNet and
PocketPrintServer network print server products. The print servers support
NetWare versions 2.15c or later, 3.x, and 4.x (bindery emulation mode).
Both dedicated print server and remote printer modes are supported.
ExtendHub comes with an easy-to-use network printer management utility to
allow users to install the print server, set up print queues and retrieve
status information. Other features include Flash memory to provide a path
for future upgrades, support for SNMP management, support of encrypted
passwords, automatic file server reattachment, forms printing and support
of up to eight file servers and 32 queues.

10BASE-T SNMP Managed Hub

In addition to its four print server ports, ExtendHub provides sixteen
dedicated unshielded-twisted pair (10BASE-T) ports and an additional port
(AUI or BNC) to allow users to connect ExtendHub to other hubs, to a file
server or to the network backbone. The ESI-4216A supports both in-band and
out-of-band management using the SNMP MIB II standard. This allows users
to access ExtendHub with their existing network management software
packages. ExtendHub's LED indicators provide users with status feedback
regarding activity, link status, collisions, power state and self test.
ExtendHub supports automatic partitioning on each port, disconnecting the
port in the event of excessive noise or data collisions. ExtendHub's
re-enable feature automatically reconnects the port when the error
conditions are corrected. ExtendHub ESI-4216A conforms to the IEEE 802.3
standard.

Reliability on Which You Can Depend

Extended Systems has been providing connectivity solutions since 1984. All
products are supported by a standard two-year, cross-ship warranty. A
third year is available free of charge when the customer simply completes
and returns the product registration card (U.S. only). Free technical
support is also provided. Extended Systems products are available from its
national direct sales organization, major computer dealers, national
distributors and international distributors worldwide.

Extended Systems
5777 N. Meeker Ave
Boise, ID 83704
406-587-7575,  800-235-7576
208-322-7575,  fax 208-377-1906

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