Intel Introduces Industry's Fastest Print Server

HILLSBORO, Ore., June 1, 1998 – Intel Corporation today introduced the NetportExpress™ 10/100 Print Server, the industry's fastest print server. It connects virtually any parallel-port printer to 10- or 100-megabits-per-second (Mbps) networks and operates at more than 800 kilobytes-per-second (KBps). This is twice the speed of the closest competing product*.

"The NetportExpress 10/100 Print Server is designed for demanding Fast Ethernet networks," said Mark Christensen, vice president and general manager of Intel's Network Products Division. "It combines Intel's silicon and networking expertise to offer reliability with unprecedented speed and management features."

Reliability and Performance through Intel® Technology
In a recent study conducted by International Data Corporation**, Intel holds nearly 80 percent market segment share in the external 10/100 print server category. Intel's years of experience developing and manufacturing print servers has yielded a family of award-winning products that is reliable and easy-to-use.

Inefficient print servers can slow down the network and create headaches for the network administrator. The NetportExpress 10/100 Print Server is optimized for performance in Fast Ethernet networks. The Intel486™ processor, two MB of random access memory (RAM), single-chip Phy-controller and custom ASIC design work together to process network transmissions faster, freeing up bandwidth for users.

The NetportExpress 10/100 Print Server has the industry's fastest processing power and four times the RAM of most other print servers. This level of performance generates throughput capable of sending jobs to print as fast as today's printers can receive them. Now, users get the maximum page-per-minute performance from their printers and can prepare their networks for next-generation, higher-speed printers.

Michael Jezard of CDN Partners, Inc. is a reseller and NetportExpress 10/100 Print Server beta tester based in Lakeland, Fla. "This was almost too easy. I purposely tried to ‘confuse' the print server by changing domains, IP addresses and other network variables, but it handled everything I threw at it," Jezard said. "This level of compatibility is what my customers need, especially those in mixed environments."

Netport Manager Simplifies Configuration, Installation and Management
The NetportExpress 10/100 Print Server includes both Netport Manager and Web Netport Manager centralized management utilities. These tools simplify the configuration, installation and management of print servers from any Windows***-based PC or browser. With real-time diagnostic information from anywhere on the network, costly and time-consuming troubleshooting trips to the printer are minimized.

Web Netport Manager allows network administrators to take control and remotely manage their printers from any Windows-based PC or browser in the world so they can address user requests in less time. Unlike some print servers, the NetportExpress 10/100 Print Sever also has a built-in Web server. This eliminates the time and money associated with installing software on a network server or buying and maintaining a dedicated Web server.

The NetportExpress 10/100 Print Server is compatible with virtually any parallel-port printer and supports popular protocols including TCP/IP, IPX, NetBEUI and AppleTalk***. Supported network operating systems include Novell NetWare***, Microsoft Windows NT***, Windows 95, Windows for Workgroups, Windows 3.11, UNIX*** and Macintosh***.

Pricing and Availability
The NetportExpress 10/100 Print Server will be available June 12 at a U.S. suggested list price of $299. The product can be found in a variety of outlets for an estimated street price of $250.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.