NETGEAR Launches Industry's First Eight-Port Gigabit Switch Lowering Entry Price Point For High Speed Networking

New Unmanaged Gigabit Ethernet Switch Brings High-Performance, Easy-to-Use, Cost Effective Networking to Bandwidth Intensive Office Workgroups

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — October 21, 2002 — NETGEAR, Inc., a worldwide provider of easy-to-use, high performance networking products at prices affordable to homes and growing businesses, today announced the launch of the NETGEAR GS108 Eight-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch, an industry first. The GS108 addresses the growing network performance needs of an emerging Gigabit Ethernet market that seeks to build powerful, small-scale, high-speed networks capable of moving large files and multimedia applications quickly across the network. Now bandwidth intensive office workgroups, such as graphic design firms, video production studios, print shops and law offices, have a cost effective solution for deploying the higher-speed networks required by their unique business processes and applications.

The GS108 is an unmanaged copper Gigabit Ethernet switch featuring eight 10/100/1000 Mbps ports providing the flexibility to seamlessly upgrade existing networking infrastructures to Gigabit technology, while maintaining compatibility with existing legacy network adapters. The GS108 is the latest member of NETGEAR’s growing family of Gigabit networking solutions that includes the GS104, the industry’s first small form-factor four-port unmanaged Gigabit switch, the recently announced GSM712 12-port Managed Gigabit Switch and the popular GS524T 24-port Unmanaged Gigabit Switch.

"The recent expansion of NETGEAR's line of managed and unmanaged Gigabit Ethernet solutions further strengthens the company's position as one of the top companies in the industry in worldwide port count for Layer 2 Gigabit Ethernet Switches," explained Lauri Vickers, In-Stat/MDR's Group Manager of LAN Networking, referring to In-Stat/MDR's Q2 2002 Final Ethernet LAN Switch Market Shares report. "The comprehensive portfolio of Gigabit networking solutions designed to target the needs of a wide variety of networking environments has allowed NETGEAR to increase marketshare in the face of challenging market conditions."

"NETGEAR is solidifying its position as one of the industry-leading providers of managed and unmanaged Gigabit networking solutions designed for small and growing businesses," stated Patrick Lo, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of NETGEAR. "The launch of the GS108 shows our commitment to the total market as we grow our family of high-performance Gigabit solutions to meet the needs of any small and medium business networking environment. Our comprehensive product selection ranging from small form-factor four-port units to high port-density rack mounted solutions is establishing NETGEAR as the leading provider in this industry sector."

The NETGEAR GS108 Eight-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch enables a seamless migration of existing 10/100 Mbps networks to Gigabit speeds protecting network investments already made through eight high-speed, auto-switching 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet ports providing data throughput rates of up to 2000Mbps per port. The unmanaged switch provides Auto Uplink™ functionality on all eight RJ-45 ports and supports both PC and Macintosh operating systems.

Backed by a three-year warranty and 24/7 technical support, the NETGEAR GS108 Eight-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch will be available in October 2002, via retailers, direct marketers, and e-commerce sites, at a list price of $700.

About NETGEAR Inc.
NETGEAR provides branded, easy-to-use, reliable and technologically advanced networking solutions for homes and small businesses. Headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara, Calif., NETGEAR designs and develops products that enable home and small business users to share Internet access, peripherals, digital content and applications among multiple personal computers and other Internet-enabled devices. NETGEAR primarily markets and sells its products through distributors based in North America, Europe and the Asia/Pacific region to a network of resellers, including more than 4,500 retail stores, mail order catalogs and online retailers. NETGEAR was recently named to Deloitte & Touche’s "Technology Fast 500" and to its "2001 Technology Fast 50" for Silicon Valley. For more information visit the company’s Web site at www.netgear.com or call (408.907.8000).

For more information:
Doug Hagan
NETGEAR Inc.
(408) 907-8053
doug.hagan@netgear.com

Ken Hagihara
Integrity Public Relations
(949) 768-4423
ken@integritypr.net