BeadleNet Introduces SOHO2000, All-In-One Internet-Sharing, Firewall & Networking Solution for the Small Office/Home Office

LAGUNA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 27, 1999--

Securely Share High-Speed Internet Access Via Cable, xDSL, Leased

Line or ISDN

BeadleNet L.L.C., a premier provider of secure Internet and networking solutions for the Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) and Small/Medium Business (SMB) markets, announces the SOHO2000 Series of affordable router/firewalls. The BeadleNet SOHO2000 offers a complete, all-in-one solution for users wanting to connect multiple computers together and to the Internet with total security. The product features an integrated 4-port hub for user's networking needs; firewall technology, which provides security from Internet hackers; and router functions for sharing Internet access.

With support for high-speed Internet access through Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL)/cable modems, and leased line/ISDN modem/routers, the SOHO2000 enables all computers on the network to simultaneously access the Internet at speeds up to 100 times faster than analog modems. "Internet technology is better utilized over faster connections," said Chuck Gamer, BeadleNet president. "Businesses and households can cut costs on such things as travel and long distance phone calls by using video conferencing and Internet telephony or streaming video and audio, while the faster download/upload times help increase productivity since online wait times are greatly reduced with the increased speed."

In a recent report published by the Yankee Group, a leading industry research firm, the number of U.S. households subscribing to high-speed Internet access will grow from fewer than one-half million today to 7 million by 2002; and as many as 1.44 million business customers will subscribe to xDSL services by 2002. In parallel, research from Kinetic Strategies Inc. predicts the number of cable modem subscribers to be approximately 3.2 million by 2002.

"This product will change the way home and small/medium businesses use the Internet," said Gamer. "No longer will cost discourage small-to-medium size networks from utilizing the benefits of shared, secure, high-speed access."

High-speed Internet access provides users with a continuous 24-hour connection. Though convenient and faster, this "always on" connection can leave unsecured computers open to Internet hackers. The SOHO2000 utilizes Stateful Packet Inspection technology, which filters all messages traveling between the Internet and computers on the network. Incoming packets only pass through to the private network if their state corresponds to a user's request. This prevents unexpected packets from ever reaching the private side of the firewall.

Utilizing Internet Protocol (IP) routing for Internet sharing, the SOHO2000 supports Network Address Translation (NAT) and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) technologies. NAT allows a single IP address to be shared by multiple computers, while DHCP enables IP addresses to be assigned to computers on the network when needed, automatically configuring the communication between them and the Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Features

BeadleNet's SOHO2000 offers four Ethernet RJ-45 ports for direct connection of up to four computers to the unit. However, by using cross over cables, each port can be uplinked to additional hubs or switches to support more users on the network. The product supports Windows 95/98/NT/2000, Macintosh and Unix-based systems, and web browsers Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. The SOHO2000 is available in eight versions with varying features including:

- Expanded User Licenses - SOHO2000 offers software support for up
to 175 computers.

- Configurable or Non-Configurable Firewall - Configurable firewall
allows for Web/FTP server hosting or remote access to individual
computers on the network.

- Hacker Attack Denial of Service - SOHO2000 protects against Ping
of Death, LAND Attack and IP Spoofing.

- Web Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) - Ensures added security for hosting
a Web/FTP server with its own assigned IP address.

- Bandwidth Management - (Option Available June '99) Allows
bandwidth to be adapted to each computer's needs.

- Usage Accounting - (Option Available June '99) Allows usage
tracking for individuals or the whole network.

- Hacker Attack Control Software - (Option Available June '99) A
tracking system which generates activity report logs.

- Virtual Private Network (VPN) - (Option Available July '99)
Provides a secure private network between offices over the
Internet.

With an easy, interactive, browser-based installation, the SOHO2000 automatically detects operating system and web browser for each computer, then provides the user with a tailor-made installation guide. Utilizing customer feedback, the SOHO2000 installation guides and help pages are continuously updated on the BeadleSoft software support web site. Users are automatically taken directly to any updated areas on the site during the installation. The product also automatically detects any outdated software housed internally and proposes free maintenance upgrades via the BeadleSoft software user interface.