FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE US Media Contact: Joe Stunkard International Media Contact: Adriana Gomez Voice: 602/670-7145 Voice: 602/670-7300 Fax: 602/670-7101 Fax: 602/670-7101 MCI Mail: 532-6657 ARTISOFT INTRODUCES NEW ETHERNET ADAPTER SERIES WITH LOWER PRICING Competitively Priced & Positioned For LANtastic/AI(TM), Third- Party Network Operating Systems (TUCSON, AZ -- August 9, 1993) -- Artisoft, Inc. announced today the introduction of a new series of competitively priced Ethernet adapters starting at $149. The NodeRunner/SI(TM) (software-independent) adapter series includes an automatic configuration utility and is available immediately in four models -- three ISA and one MicroChannel -- that support a variety of cable types, from thick and thin coax to 10BASE-T. A special "Buy Five, Get One Free" promotion will be offered on these adapters for a limited time. These 16-bit, software-configurable NodeRunner/SI adapters are shipping independently of the LANtastic Ethernet Add-On Kits, which feature the NodeRunner(TM) adapters as well as the software license to expand a LANtastic(R) network. This "unbundling" enables the NodeRunner/SI adapters to be economically targeted for use with the LANtastic/AI network, as well as a wide range of network operating systems including Novell(R) NetWare(R). This is the first time Artisoft has shipped its adapters independently of the LANtastic software license. "Based on reseller demand, we have developed and positioned this high-quality adapter series to be sold as a one-source, simple solution for a variety of Ethernet network installations -- including, of course, the LANtastic/AI network operating system," commented Dave Hallmen, Artisoft's Vice President of Sales & Marketing. "These NodeRunner/SI cards have the sophisticated features and aggressive pricing that will make them a strong competitor in the network adapter market." Pricing The NodeRunner/SI 2000/C model has a BNC connection for thin coax cable. The NodeRunner/SI 2000/T model has an RJ-45 connection for 10BASE-T (unshielded twisted pair) cable. Both the 2000/C and 2000/T models are priced at $149 each, with 5- node multi-packs priced at $699 (reducing the cost per adapter to $139) and 10-node multi-packs priced at $1,299 (reducing the cost per adapter to $129). The NodeRunner/SI 2000/A model, priced at $189, has AUI, BNC and RJ-45 connections for use with thick and thin coax and unshielded twisted pair cable respectively, and is upgradable to 64K RAM. The NodeRunner/SI 2000M/TC model is made for MicroChannel systems and includes both BNC and RJ-45 connections for use with thin coax and unshielded twisted pair cable. It is priced at $239. Features The NodeRunner/SI adapters are in 100% compliance with the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard, include 32K onboard buffer RAM, autosense between 8- and 16-bit slots and incorporate the ALICE(TM) controller, a completely software-configurable Ethernet Integrated Circuit designed and developed by Artisoft. Because these adapters are NE-2000 compatible and include NDIS and ODI drivers, they are compatible with the LANtastic/AI network -- the adapter-independent version of the LANtastic Local Area Network -- as well as major third-party network operating systems such as Novell NetWare, Banyan(R) Vines(TM) and Microsoft(R) LAN Manager(TM). This new adapter series also includes an automatic configuration utility for ISA adapters that selects and tests combinations of the IRQ (interrupt requests), bus timing and cable types until a working solution is determined, or until all possibilities are exhausted. An adapter diagnostic feature performs a full functional test of the adapter and identifies possible installation problems such as conflicts with other adapters or faulty cable connections. A menu-driven configuration/setup utility is also included. LANtastic Ethernet Adapter Line The NodeRunner/SI adapter series adds to Artisoft's line of Ethernet adapters, which currently includes the NodeRunner adapters found in the LANtastic Ethernet Add-On Kits (introduced earlier this year). These adapters are identical in terms of function and features to the NodeRunner/SI adapter series with one difference. Because the NodeRunner/SI adapters do not include the LANtastic software license, they are competitively priced to be used with a wide variety of network operating system software including the LANtastic/AI network. The LANtastic Ethernet Add-On Kits -- which include a NodeRunner Ethernet adapter and a one-user software license -- are available for those users wanting to expand their LANtastic network (based on Artisoft's Starter Kit software). Artisoft's special, limited-time promotion offers customers one NodeRunner/SI adapter free for every five adapters of the same model that they purchase. This promotion is for a limited time only and is subject to change without advance notice. Artisoft develops and manufactures a full line of innovative, cost-effective network communication solutions including the award-winning LANtastic Local Area Network. Recognized as the leader in peer-to-peer networking for DOS and WindowsTM environments, the LANtastic network also offers multiplatform connectivity solutions for NetWare, TCP/IP and Macintosh(R) systems. It allows up to 500 users on one network to connect and share information and peripheral devices such as printers, hard drives and CD-ROMs. Artisoft maintains nine international offices and distributes the LANtastic network and its other connectivity products in over 70 countries worldwide. For more information about Artisoft or its product line, contact Artisoft, Inc. at 2202 N. Forbes Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85745. Sales 800/233-5564. Corporate 602/670-7100. Fax 602/670- 7101.