IEEE 802.11i-Ready AP with Auto-forming / Self-healing Bridge Introduced by 3eTI; Secure, Ruggedized Solution for Outdoor Mesh Infrastructure Networking

[August 17, 2004]

IEEE 802.11i-Ready AP with Auto-forming / Self-healing Bridge Introduced by 3eTI; Secure, Ruggedized Solution for Outdoor Mesh Infrastructure Networking

ROCKVILLE, Md. --(Business Wire)-- Aug. 17, 2004 -- While participating at the Navy Wireless Networks Summit II (sponsored by the Naval Network Warfare Command and PEO Ships Smartship Program Office) in San Diego, 3e Technologies International (3eTI), the leading provider of WLAN solutions to the US Department of Defense, announced a revolutionary solution for mesh infrastructure networking designed to meet the requirements of the IEEE 802.11i standard and FIPS 140-2 certification. The solution is based upon a multi-mode WLAN AP with an embedded 8-port switch and dual radios - the 3e-527. It is IEEE 802.11i-ready and delivers a high power 802.11b WLAN with 2,000+ foot coverage while also providing auto-forming 802.11a wireless infrastructure bridging with up to 40 simultaneous connections per AP.

This radically distinctive solution can function in "stealth bridging mode" whereby no one can determine how many bridge connections are operating. With its auto-forming and self-healing bridging capabilities, the 3e-527 makes the ideal solution for highly mobile, dynamically changing, mesh networking. 3eTI offers the 527 series in both commercial and rugged packages. The rugged version will survive harsh environments such as operating under 250g of shock and in extreme temperatures of -30 degrees C to +70 degrees C.

The 527 employs FIPS 140-2 Layer 2 Certified Crypto Modules to deliver the most secure encryption approved by the U.S. Federal Government for Department of Defense and other organizations requiring robustly secure wireless access. The new AP is firmware upgradeable to IEEE 802.11i and is WiFi-WPA2 compatible.

"This first-of-its-kind solution is tailored to the Military's rigorous functional and security needs. It's ideal for applications in hotspots, mobile/stationary vehicles, tent cities, aboard ships and wherever broad mesh and extended coverage is needed," remarked Steven Chen, 3eTI's President & CEO. "It even has an encrypted Ethernet port to provide a wired extension to other mesh infrastructures or uplinks. Our Military customers are impressed with its versatility, robustness, and hardened security - they're eager to deploy it in current military theaters."

The 527 will detect rogue APs and send email alerts while also providing RF management for variable power control. Its 8 port switch has connections for LAN management, WAN Ethernet/uplink, and 6 mode dependent LAN/WAN ports. It is designed for standard Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) and has an additional port for encrypted Ethernet which can extend wired connectivity for miles. An external antenna connection is included for longer distance, line-of-sight bridging.

All of 3eTI's APs are built to meet the most stringent military specifications for vibration, Class A shock (250g operational), EMI, humidity, temperature, and close proximity ordinance. They are integral components of the 3e WLAN Security Suite, which offers supplemental Security Server Software for dynamic user keys. This OSI Layer 2 solution of end-to-end, FIPS 140-2 Validated(TM) hardware and software provides an easy to install and manage high security wireless solution.

Initial shipments of the 3e-527 to Government customers will start in 3Q04. Additional commercial orders are being accepted for shipment in 4Q04.

About 3e Technologies International

3eTI is a WLAN infrastructure and solutions provider and is active in many standard bodies such as IEEE 802.11x, IEEE 1451.5 (as Chair), Bluetooth (as Chair for Industrial Automation), ZigBee, etc. 3eTI delivers complete wireless infrastructure solutions, not just security, and offers wireless networking options for: ruggedized enclosures, harsh environments, extreme temperatures, mesh infrastructure networking, wireless switching/bridging/repeating, RF management, rouge AP detection, etc. For more information, visit www.3eti.com or send inquiries to info@3eti.com.

FIPS 140-2 Validated-TM: A Certification Mark of NIST, which does not imply product endorsement by NIST, the U.S. or Canadian Governments.

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