LIGHTNINGS MULTICOM SPEEDSURF MAKES ITS FIRST WORLDWIDE DEBUT AT COMMUNICASIA 2001

LIGHTNING Instrumentation SA, the leading Swiss manufacturer of secure Internet access gateways, is proud to introduce its new, Linux-based Ethernet-Ethernet-Gateway router, for the first time in Singapore at CommunicAsia 2001 (booth: 6D3-07). The MultiCom SpeedSurf, targeted especially at the small offices/home offices (SOHO) segment, reinforces LIGHTNINGs continued support for the fast growing secured networking market in Asia.

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LIGHTNINGS MULTICOM SPEEDSURF MAKES ITS FIRST WORLDWIDE DEBUT AT COMMUNICASIA 2001

New Ethernet-Ethernet-Gateway Transform Small Offices/Home Offices Into Successful E-Businesses

Singapore, June 11, 2001: LIGHTNING Instrumentation SA, the leading Swiss manufacturer of secure Internet access gateways, is proud to introduce its new, Linux-based Ethernet-Ethernet-Gateway router, for the first time in Singapore at CommunicAsia 2001 (booth: 6D3-07). The MultiCom SpeedSurf, targeted especially at the small offices/home offices (SOHO) segment, reinforces LIGHTNINGs continued support for the fast growing secured networking market in Asia.

LIGHTNING focuses on integrating high-security solutions into Access Gateways. A 'new player in the secured networking space in Asia, LIGHTNING not only develops and produces the worlds smallest ISDN Router, the company also developed the first Internet access gateway embedding a complete Linux system. Swiss companies are renowned for their rigorous and sophisticated process of design, precision, assembly, quality control and state-of-the-art innovation. Bringing with them these distinguishing factors, LIGHTNING has developed a full range of multiprotocol high-end routers equipped with lifetime warranty, for connecting local networks via ISDN, leased lines, cable and xDSL infrastructures.

LIGHTNINGs new MultiCom SpeedSurf offers SOHO users the security in combination with optimal use of their network resources to quickly and cost-effectively reap the benefits of Internet business applications. The router enables the connection of a 10/100 Mbits/s Ethernet LAN to a broadband WAN connection (over a 10 Mbit/s Ethernet interface). This allows Internet access over xDSL lines, cable-modem or wireless connections, using PPPoE (Point-to-Point protocol over Ethernet), DHCP or static addressing, with high data throughput rates, load sharing, transparent proxy redirection, and robust security features such as syslog and firewalls. The MultiCom SpeedSurf also integrates a DHCP client and a DHCP server.

As the trend towards working at home continues to rise and broadband Internet becoming central to the business, SOHO users demand cost-effective and high-performance Internet Access solutions," said Dr. Beat Brunner, Managing Director at LIGHTNING. The MultiCom SpeedSurf demonstrates LIGHTNINGs commitment in offering our customers affordable high-speed Internet access that are of the highest standards in terms of security, reliability and user friendliness."

According to IDC, Singapore and Australia are cited to be the leading adopters and investors of security technology in Asia Pacific. With an approximate 33% capture of market share in the ISDN desktop-router segment in France, LIGHTNING is poised and confident to repeat the success formula here," added Dr. Brunner.

In the latest IDC report on Internet and network security adoption and investment in Asia Pacific, it was found that more than 56% of IT personnel affirmed that the increased use of the Internet was the fundamental driver impacting their decision to take up security.

The report also states that the proliferation of Web and networking technologies are changing the IT communitys perceptions of security. Enterprises of all sizes across industry segments in Asia Pacific region are immensely aware of the liability at stake for not investing in the appropriate security technologies in place to reinforce their business infrastructures.

LIGHTNING has responded to this increased need for security by extending the unlimited firewall functionality of the MultiCom product family to MultiCom SpeedSurf. The firewall is based on the latest Linux kernel 2.4 and provides extensive protection. Stateful Packet Filtering keeps track not only of the individual data packets as most routers do, but also of all open connections, allowing for a much more efficient firewalling. High-performance Logging functionality provides protection from hacker attacks and warns the administrator of possible intrusion attempts. Each triggering condition can generate different Syslog Messages with varying security levels and text content. Combined with integrated functionality of Traffic Shaping, it is possible to log just the first packet of potential attack, thus increasing the efficiency of reporting.

With the 'AutoConfiguration feature, the router can be quickly and easily installed, significantly reducing the work of setting up a network. The router, which allows an unlimited number of users (PCs, Macintosh and Unix) to be connected to the gateway simultaneously, automatically configures the computers connected to the local area network (LAN) greatly reducing the potential for error.

For now, the MultiCom SpeedSurf will be only available in Asia. Beginning from June 2001, the product can be purchased through LIGHTNINGs Asian distributors, Plexus Technology (Singapore), Subang Computer & Communication (Malaysia) and Zoom Technologies (India).

LIGHTNING has established international presence through representations in more than 50 countries. Some of its customers in the Asia Pacific include UBS, Tata, Microsoft, France Telecom, and NTT Communications.

Ends

About LIGHTNING
LIGHTNING Instrumentation SA is the leading manufacturer of Secure Internet Access Gateway Appliances. Additional high-integrated products based on network and telecommunications technology run on embedded LIGHTNING-Linux. The companys main focus lies on the integration of Security functionality for Internet access and VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) with standard products and customized solutions alike. LIGHTNING also offers OEM partners customized system adaptations. The company was founded in 1965, its headquarters are located in Lausanne (Switzerland). LIGHTNING is now represented in more than 50 countries worldwide. www.lightning.ch

Press Contacts
LIGHTNING
Beat Brunner
Tel: +41-21-654 2000
Email: pr@lightning.ch

EASTWEST Public Relations
Derrick Koh/ Jann Yip
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Fax: +65 222 0124
Mobile: 9619 0292/ 9651 2844
Email: derrick@eastwestpr.com.sg/ jann@eastwestpr.com.sg