NETGEAR Releases Next-Generation Stackable Smart Switch Family

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR), a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers, today announced a new generation of the industry's first and only stackable smart switches. Companies or remote offices with less than 500 employees can now build affordable and redundant network infrastructure without the cost and complexity of traditional IT vendor choices. The new NETGEAR Next Generation Gigabit Ethernet Stackable Smart Switch family provides scalability and redundancy without complicated command-line interfaces, special installation training or unique cabling.

This new smart switch family contains a 28 port model (GS728TSB), a 52 port model (GS752TSB), and Power-over-Ethernet versions of each (GS728TPSB and GS752TPSB). Stackable smart switches may be deployed individually and scaled at a later date, managed as a single device but failing over in a network emergency. All NETGEAR Gigabit Ethernet Stackable Smart Switches include IPv6 support and static routing for future-proofing and optimal network performance. All include performance features typically available only in more expensive products, such as dynamic VLAN assignment, Auto Voice and Auto Video, fiber uplink ports and PoE timers (as applicable). Ideal in virtualization, VoIP, video surveillance and converged networking applications, stackable smart switches help keep networking reliable, affordable and simple.

"Network expansion costs are a major impediment to the growth of small-to-medium size businesses. Sometimes companies are forced to throw away equipment to accommodate growth," said Tim Zimmerman, Research Director at Gartner. "Growing businesses welcome a solution that easily and quickly expands network capacity without any interruption in business operations."

"The Next -Generation Gigabit Ethernet Stackable Smart Switch will help Gidel & Kocal Construction Company, Inc. realize significant savings from our recent network expansion compared to our previous expansion," said Lance Gidel, President of Gidel & Kocal Construction Company, Inc.  "And even with a larger network, the Stackable Smart Switch is much easier to manage than our previous switch configuration."

"The Stackable Smart Switch was specifically designed to address the requirements of today's network-dependent business environment," said Maggie Wu, Sr. Product Line Manager at NETGEAR. "This new switch family is a reliable, affordable and simple way for businesses to expand their networks with minimal interruptions while keeping pace with new opportunities."

Pricing and Availability

Next Generation Gigabit Ethernet Stackable Smart Switch model GS728TSB retails for $539.00; model GS752TSB retails for $1,015.00; model GS728TPSB retails for $1,470.00; and model GS752TPSB retails for $1,720.00. Worldwide distribution stock is expected on or before April 15, 2012.

More Information

To learn more about NETGEAR's Next Generation Gigabit Ethernet Stackable Smart Switch family, please visit: http://www.netgear.com/nggss

About NETGEAR, Inc.

NETGEAR (NASDAQGM: NTGR) is a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers. For consumers, the company makes high performance, dependable and easy to use home networking, storage and digital media products to connect people with the Internet and their content and devices. For businesses, NETGEAR provides networking, storage and security solutions without the cost and complexity of big IT. The company also supplies top 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 approximately 29,000 retail locations around the globe, and through approximately 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.

© 2012 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, and the NETGEAR logo 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 I - Item 1A. Risk Factors," pages 11 through 33, in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2012. 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.