NETGEAR Simplifies Converged Networking with New "Intelligent Edge" Switches and Lifetime Technical Support

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 30, 2012  /PRNewswire/ -- NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR), a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers, today announced four new 12- and -24-port NETGEAR® ProSafe® Gigabit L2+ Managed Switches with PoE+ connectivity. Perfect for organizations requiring intelligence at the network edge, these NETGEAR access layer switches are an extremely cost-effective component of converged voice, video and data networking solutions. Additionally, the complete NETGEAR ProSafe managed switch product line now includes lifetime 24x7 telephone technical support and three years of onsite service.

This new Intelligent Edge switch family includes the ProSafe GSM5212P, GSM7212F, GSM7212P and GSM7224P models. End users and channel partners choose them to power mobility, VoIP and surveillance solutions by attaching wireless access points, IP telephony equipment and IP video cameras. The Intelligent Edge family starts below $1000USD and includes a number of industry firsts that make these products more reliable, affordable and simple to deploy than offerings from traditional big IT companies.

New Intelligent Edge Fully Managed Switches

This new gigabit PoE switch family offers:

• The world's first distribution switch with 12-port fiber and PoE+ capability (GSM7212F), ideal for campus deployments.
• The world's most affordable 12-port gigabit Ethernet switch with PoE pass-through capability (GSM5212P), ideal for deployments with power outlet location challenges.
• Automatic IP phone recognition and VLANs with QoS configuration via LLDP-MED.
• Optimized real-time video streaming support through IGMP filtering, querier and multicast VLAN registration.
• The world's first selectable mini-USB console interface, a built-in alternative to legacy serial ports and cables.
• Layer 2+ support, including 16K MAC and 64 routing interfaces.
• Support for SNMP management software such as the NETGEAR NMS200 Network Management System.

Elevated ProSafe Service and Support Levels

All ProSafe managed switches now include:

• Lifetime hardware warranty.
• Lifetime telephone, web and email technical support, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, anywhere in the world.
• Three years of Next Business Day (NBD) onsite service (location dependent).

"In this economy, we can only afford to buy products with high value and immediate return," says Arun Iyengar, IT Deployment, Inter-Cooperative Council at the University of Michigan. "NETGEAR switches have allowed us to provide ultra-fast, future-proof network connectivity to the hundreds of members of each of our houses, avoiding costly maintenance agreements."

"With their latest line of intelligent edge switches, NETGEAR continues their tradition of high levels of features and performance at attractive prices, allowing SMBs to benefit from the technologies often only found in enterprise class devices" says Matthias Machowinski, Directing Analyst for Enterprise Networks and Video at Infonetics Research. "And with enhancements to their service and support offering, buyers can rest assured that they receive the service they need long after the sale."

"Many IP telephony and IP camera deployments are still limited to Fast Ethernet switching, which enterprise vendors push on midmarket organizations because their Gigabit and PoE+ offerings are cost-prohibitive," says Laurent Masia, Product Line Manager at NETGEAR. "Underscoring our commitment to smart IT, not big IT, NETGEAR Intelligent Edge managed switches now deliver reliable, affordable and simple Gigabit technology backed with lifetime support." 

Pricing and Availability

The new family of Intelligent Edge switches will be available worldwide in February 2012, with US MSRP prices ranging from $960 to $1,350.ProSupport Lifetime 24x7 Technical Support is included standard with all NETGEAR fully managed switches, including the Fast Ethernet (FSM), Gigabit Ethernet (GSM) and 10Gb Ethernet (XSM) families, effective January 1, 2012.

More Information

To learn more about NETGEAR ProSafe Intelligent Edge managed switches, please visit http://www.netgear.com/business/products/switches/fully-managed-switches/. To learn more about support for NETGEAR's managed switches including location details, please visit: http://onsite.netgear.com

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 28,000 retail locations around the globe, and through more than 37,000 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, 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 48 through 67, in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 2, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 8, 2011. 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.