KONTRONS NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE CompactPCI FAST ETHERNET SWITCH PROVIDES FULL WIRE SPEED SWITCHING AND MAXIMUM DENSITY

San Diego, CA, October 2002 - Kontron, one of the leading global embedded computer technology companies, announces the release of a high performance CompactPCI fast Ethernet switch. The new XL-ES24 is a 6U managed-layer 2/3 switch that provides maximum density, ultra-high connection speeds and improved reliability while minimizing external wiring. The XL-ES24 is compatible with Kontrons 2.16 compliant platform family, which includes the XL-VHDS, XL-PSB and the newly released XL-LP42 high density packet switched platform. The XL-ES24 is ideal for telecom and datacom applications, especially for OEMs developing next-generation Internet and voice communications networks.

The XL-ES24 provides twenty-two 10/100 Mbps Ethernet ports for PICMG 2.16-compliant in-chassis switching duties to the mid-plane connectors. Layer 2 switching functions
include two front-panel 10/100 RJ-45 ports and two Gigabit Ethernet (100/1000BASE-T) ports for flexibility, fast connection speeds and speedy out-of-the-box" communication.
The switch provides an auto-negotiation function for 10M/100M or 100M/1000M speed, duplex (full and half) and flow control. It also has GVRP (GARP VLAN registration protocol) for automatic VLAN configuration distribution.

The new switch minimizes time-consuming and messy external cabling to interconnect boards. Console access is through an RS-232 serial cable to configure SNMP, Telnet, CLI and RMON management functionalities and for system diagnosis such statistics, history, alarm and event. The XL-ES24 features an easy-to-use browser and Web-based management capabilities; routing and switching are at full wire speed on all ports, utilizing non-blocking architecture.

The XL-ES24 is hot-swappable with corresponding LED indication, and also has status LEDs for Ethernet port link, speed and activity. The board is compatible with all PICMG 2.16 compliant systems.

The XL-ES24 is available for immediate delivery in OEM quantities.

For additional information, contact Jennifer Rodriguez, Kontron America, 6260 Sequence Drive, San Diego, CA 92121-4371. Tel: 858-677-0877; Fax: 858-677-0895;
Email: jennifer.rodriguez@us.kontron.com; Web: www.kontron.com <http://www.kontron.com>

- 30 -

READER SERVICE INQUIRIES: Please forward all reader service inquiries to Jennifer Rodriguez, Marketing Communications Manager, Kontron America. Tel: 858-677-0877; Email: sales@us.kontron.com .

ABOUT KONTRON: Kontron is a leading global embedded computer technology company. Kontron supplies a diversified customer base of OEMs, system integrators
and application providers in the communications, automation, transportation, medical, military, aerospace, and test and measurement markets. The company helps its customers to considerably reduce their time-to-market and to gain a competitive advantage with products including high-performance open computer platforms and systems, single-board computers, man-machine interfaces and mobile computers. Kontron is a member of the Intel Applied Computing Platform Provider Program (ACPP Program). Kontron employs over 1100 people worldwide and has manufacturing facilities in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. The company is listed on the German Neuer Markt stock exchange under the symbol "KBC".

For additional information on Kontron, please visit: www.kontron.com.

Kontron Media Contacts:
Media Relations

Jennifer Rodriguez
Marketing Communications Manager
Phone: 858.677.0877
jennifer.rodriguez@us.kontron.com

Technical & Pricing

Jan-Philippe De Broeck
CompactPCI Product Manager
450.437.5682
jan-philippe.debroeck@ca.kontron.com

photo available upon request