SMC and Cogency Semiconductor Team to Bring Easy to Install and Use HomePlug Networking Products to Market

SMCs newest family of easy home networking products leverage Cogencys advanced HomePlug® chipset

IRVINE, CA and TORONTO, ONT -- November 6, 2003 -- SMC® Networks (www.smc.com), a leading provider of networking solutions for the Enterprise, the SMB and all the way home, and Cogency Semiconductor, a leading provider of high-performance semiconductors for powerline home networking and media distribution, today announced that SMCs new line of HomePlug-compliant home networking products incorporates the Cogency chipset.

SMCs new line of HomePlug-compliant products give users everything they need to set up a brand-new network or extend an existing one without running expensive CAT-5 cabling. The only HomePlug solution on the market with configuration software that runs on Mac OS, SMCs new HomePlug solution comes with two versions of the EZ Configuration Manager software: one for the Windows OS and one for the Mac OS, making it a great solution for Macintosh-only networks, Windows-only networks and mixed networks. The versatile new product line includes two new HomePlug-compliant adapters: the EZ Connect 14Mbps HomePlug to USB Desktop Adapter and the EZ Connect 14Mbps HomePlug to Ethernet Desktop Adapter; and a new EZ Connect 14Mbps HomePlug Starter Kit, with everything it takes to set up or extend a network using HomePlug technology. SMCs new family of easy networking HomePlug products will begin shipping in November.

At the core of these new products is the Cogency HomePlug 1.0-compliant chipset, a performance-enhanced silicon design for efficient networking via electrical outlets. An exciting technology for easy, reliable networking, HomePlug lets users make network connections over existing electrical wiring.    HomePlug 1.0-certified to ensure compatibility with the various types of wiring used in homes and offices, SMCs new products take advantage of the Cogency chipsets auto-sensing, rate-adaptive technology to maintain the best connection available. And, its throughput is complemented by 56-bit Data Encryption Standard (DES) and Dynamic Key Management, so users have speed and security. Ease of installation is further advanced by the product familys Plug-and-Play compliance and the included SMC EZ Installation Wizard for fine-tuning on Windows and Mac platforms. And, its form factor makes it easier, too-no bulky adapters to find space for, because SMCs HomePlug networking products are desktop units with internal power supplies.

HomePlug technology is a great complement to our other networking solutions for the home: WiFi and wired Ethernet solutions," said SMCs Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Tom Rizol. Cogencys expertise in HomePlug technology is well-known, so when we decided to develop a line of easy-to-use HomePlug networking products, Cogencys was the natural choice for the chipset."

Were pleased that a leader in home networking like SMC elected to introduce HomePlug products based on Cogencys chipset," said Peter Wilson, Cogencys Vice President of Marketing, the exciting features of these new products, like broad OS support and the EZ Configuration Manager, are testament not only to Cogencys flexible silicon offerings but also to SMCs focus on a high quality home networking experience for consumers".

The EZ Connect 14Mbps HomePlug to Ethernet Desktop Adapter (HP1D-ETH) makes extending a network easy-just plug it into an existing Barricade or other standards-compliant Ethernet/Broadband router, plug its power cord into an electrical outlet, and the electrical wiring becomes Ethernet-enabled, so any outlet in the house is an Ethernet connection port for sharing Internet access, files, printers and even home entertainment devices. It is a great way to bring Internet connectivity to a game console, like an Xbox® or PS2® for online game playing. It is also available in a two adapter HomePlug to Ethernet Starter Kit (HPKIT-ETH), and as a USB Desktop Adapter (HP1D-USB) that facilitates connection of any Windows 98, ME, 2000 or XP device to the HomePlug-enabled network using a USB port, so that even devices that are not Ethernet-ready can connect to the network.
SMCs new EZ Connect 14Mbps HomePlug to Ethernet Desktop Adapter and HomePlug USB Adapter will both be available beginning in mid-November, both at an MSRP thats 20% below the competition, at $79.99 each. The new EZ Connect 14Mbps HomePlug to Ethernet Starter Kit takes value even further, packing two HomePlug Ethernet Desktop Adapters at an MSRP of $149.99.

About SMC Networks
SMC takes the work out of networks, with high-performance, easy-to-use connectivity products for businesses and homes. Leveraging its more than 30 years market and technology experience with strong attention to end-user and reseller feedback, SMC Networks has set the standards for quality, reliability, ease-of-use, and affordability in network solutions and components. The company continues to bring to market a host of affordable, high-performance products that benefit from the combination of its strong internal R&D resources, global manufacturing resources and strategic relationships with technology innovators. From basic to leading-edge, SMC Networks portfolio of products provides solutions for small-to-medium sized businesses, corporate workgroups, branch offices, and home and small office environments.

The companys commitment to providing unsurpassed service with a personal touch is backed-up by limited lifetime warranties and 24/7 technical support for all of SMCs products. Headquartered in Irvine, California, U.S.A, SMC Networks supports its worldwide market through regional offices located throughout the United States and 20 other countries. For more information about SMC Networks or its products, visit www.smc.com, or call 800-SMC-4You (800-762-4968).
About Cogency Semiconductor
Cogency designs and markets high-performance semiconductors for the home networking and entertainment markets, focused on the HomePlug powerline standard. Cogencys Piranha chipset family is supported by an extensive set of system-level software and hardware including reference designs, firmware, utilities, and embedded design tools. Founded in 1997, Cogency is a privately held company with offices in Toronto and Ottawa, Canada, and is represented in Taiwan by Jedcom Ltd. For more information about the company, please visit www.cogency.com.
For more information on the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, see www.homeplug.org.
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