FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ANSI/TIA/EIA-785 Approved New Standard Supports Short Wavelength (850 nm) Fast Ethernet

June 11, 2001 -- 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet over 850 nm optics is now supported by the newly approved ANSI/TIA/EIA-785 standard. The short wavelength Fast Ethernet standard, also known as 100BASE-SX, offers users a simple, clear and inexpensive upgrade path from 10 Mbps to 100Mbps. It also offers the potential to significantly reduce the cost of fiber LAN electronics by utilizing less-expensive short wavelength opto-electronic devices. The standard is available from Global Engineering by clicking here or by calling 1-800-854-7179 (U.S. and Canada), outside the U.S. at 1-303-397-7956 or from their website at http://global.ihs.com.

The 100BASE-SX standard represents an important tool for network managers who are building flexibility and expandability into their horizontal cabling to take advantage of higher speeds in the backbone. The standard:

• Operates over a minimum distance of 300 meters (full duplex) in support of either traditional hierarchical star or the new, lower cost centralized fiber optic cabling architecture
• Provides interoperability between new 10/100 Mbps fiber LAN electronics and legacy, 10BASE-FL products
• Utilizes cost-effective, short wavelength LED devices
• Minimizes the cost of fiber LAN electronics
• Is connector independent
• Provides an easy upgrade path to 100 Mbps
• Supports operation over both 62.5 and 50 mm multimode fiber.

Additionally, the standard supports auto-negotiation with current 850 nm Ethernet devices. In this area the standard:

• Auto-negotiates between 10 and 100 Mbps transmission speeds
• Minimizes the cost of upgrading from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps
• Parallel detects 10 and 100 Mbps non-negotiating devices
• Supports both half and full duplex operation.

"Users are increasingly looking for more speed in the horizontal, leveraging the high-speed protocols in their backbones. This standard gives users an all-fiber option that is reliable, easily upgraded and cost effective," said Bob Pollock, Chair of the FOLS. "According to a recent study conducted by Sage Research (www.sageresearch.com), 24 percent of companies now have some fiber in the horizontal subsystem of their networks and nearly two out of three companies plan to upgrade their cabling infrastructures within the next two years. The ratification of this standard means that optical fiber provides users the same seamless upgrade path as copper, but with much greater bandwidth and scalability."

For a copy of our white paper, "100BASE-SX Fast Ethernet: A Cost-Effective Migration Path for Fiber in the Horizontal" or other information on the benefits of deploying fiber in the horizontal, please contact the FOLS at www.fols.org.

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The Fiber Optic LAN Section (FOLS) of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) is a consortium of leading fiber optic cable, component and electronics manufacturers. The FOLS focuses on educating end users and influencers about the technical advantages and affordability that optical transmission brings to local area networks and fiber-to-the-desk applications. Member companies of the FOLS include 3M/Volition, AMP NETCONNECT, Allied Telesyn, Aura Networks, Berk-Tek, Belden Wire & Cable, CommScope Inc., Corning, Corning Cable Systems, Leviton Voice & Data, GarrettCom, Inc., Lucent Technologies, Micro Linear, Panduit, Ortronics, The Siemon Company, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, Sun Conversion Technologies, and Transition Networks.

TIA is the leading trade association servicing the communications and information technology industry, with proven strengths in market development, trade shows, domestic and international advocacy, standards development and enabling e-business. Through its worldwide activities, the association facilitates business development opportunities and a competitive market environment. The association provides a market-focused forum for its more than 1,100 member companies that manufacture or supply the products and services used in global communications. TIA represents the communications sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA). Visit TIA online at http://www.tiaonline.org.

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Note: The opinions expressed in this release are those of the Fiber Optics LAN Section of the Telecommunications Industry Association and are not necessarily those of the entire TIA membership.