NETGEAR Extends Its Groundbreaking Category of Plus Switches

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 5, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- NETGEAR®, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTGR), a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and Internet service providers, today announced four new models in its groundbreaking ProSafe® Plus Switch family. Designed for growing businesses with growing network needs, ProSafe Plus Switches provide built-in cable test support, QoS prioritization for voice & video traffic and VLAN configuration for network segmentation – all within 10% of the cost of an unmanaged switch.

The eight-port desktop GS108E, the 16-port desktop GS116E and the rack-mounted 24-port JGS524E all offer Gigabit Ethernet, ten times the speed of Fast Ethernet. The eight-port desktop GS108PE is the first in the ProSafe Plus Switch family to provide Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) for supporting devices such as IP phones, wireless access points, security cameras and remote switches without the need for separate electric lines.

Among the powerful features of ProSafe Plus Switches are:

• Traffic monitoring and control through a non-technical graphically based software utility.
• Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize traffic by port or by type of data, so – for example – streaming video can be prevented from interfering with crucial business tasks.
• Detection of cable loops to prevent broadcast storms, eliminating the need for network diagnostic tools that often cost hundreds of dollars.
• Automatic protection against Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks.
• Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) support for separating traffic, such as offering a guest WiFi network that is walled off from the corporate network.
• Simple set-up, along with plug-and-play connectivity.
• Fan-less design for quiet operation, allowing placement in open work areas.
• "NETGEAR Green" design, which reduces power consumption by as much as 70 percent in comparison to unmanaged switches, with auto power-down of unused ports and automatic cable-length detection to reduce power for cable runs under 10 meters.

"We know our customers demand 'smart IT' over 'big IT.' In other words, they want the performance and flexibility of enterprise-scale networking equipment in affordable packages that are easy to install and operate," said Maggie Wu, NETGEAR's product line manager for SMB Switching Products. "That was our goal in launching the ProSafe Plus Switch family a year ago, and now we're moving to the next level by responding to customer requests for Gigabit Ethernet, PoE and more ports."

"We use the NETGEAR Plus Switch in situations where cost-efficiency is essential and network requirements cannot be compromised," said Eric Gorman, co-founder, executive VP and COO of Integrated Enterprise Solutions, Inc., a value added reseller.  "Having features like VLAN, rate limiting, and QoS in such an affordable package is a great benefit for me. Our customers appreciate the reliability and affordability of this solution and we appreciate the simplicity."

Pricing and Availability

With full 24/7 technical support that connects customers directly to experienced switching experts, NETGEAR ProSafe Plus Switches give businesses a powerful new tool to organize their networks. Now available worldwide from value-added resellers, leading direct marketers, and e-commerce sites, the GS108E has an estimated U.S. street price starting at $85 and the GS108PE with four PoE ports starts at $175. The GS116E starting at $196 and the JGS524E starting at $289 will be available at the end of November.

More information on NETGEAR's full line of ProSafe Plus Desktop and Rackmount Switches is available at www.netgear.com/plusswitches

About NETGEAR, Inc.

NETGEAR (NASDAQGM: NTGR) is a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and Internet service providers. For consumers, we make high performance, dependable and easy home networking, storage and digital media products to connect people with the Internet and their content and devices. For businesses, we provide networking, storage and security solutions without the cost and complexity of Big IT. NETGEAR also supplies all of the top Internet service providers with retail proven, whole home solutions for their customers. NETGEAR products are built on a variety of proven technologies such as wireless, Ethernet and powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. NETGEAR products are sold in over 27,000 retail locations around the globe, and through more than 36,000 value-added resellers. The company's headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in 25 countries. NETGEAR is an ENERGY STAR® partner. More information is available at http://www.NETGEAR.com or by calling (408) 907-8000. Connect with NETGEAR at http://twitter.com/NETGEAR and http://www.facebook.com/NETGEAR. 

©2010 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, and ProSafe are trademarks or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved. 

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for NETGEAR, Inc.:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, statements concerning NETGEAR's business and the expected performance characteristics, specifications, reliability, market acceptance, market growth, specific uses, user feedback and market position of NETGEAR's products and technology are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the following: the actual price, performance and ease of use of NETGEAR's products may not meet the price, performance and ease of use requirements of customers; product performance may be adversely affected by real world operating conditions; failure of products may under certain circumstances cause permanent loss of end user data; new viruses or Internet threats may develop that challenge the effectiveness of security features in NETGEAR's products; the ability of NETGEAR to market and sell its products and technology; the impact and pricing of competing products; and the introduction of alternative technological solutions. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect NETGEAR and its business are detailed in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties listed in the section entitled "Part II - Item 1A. Risk Factors," pages 36 through 52, in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal second quarter ended June 27, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2010. NETGEAR undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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SOURCE NETGEAR, Inc.