Company Contact:
Patrick Schaber
Transition Networks
(952) 996-1526
pats@transition.com
Editorial Contact:
Kim Miller
Tier One Partners
(617) 610-0583
kmiller@tieronepr.com
Transition Networks Delivers Enhanced 10/100/1000 Ethernet Converter
Expands Product Line with Additional Port Configurations
Minneapolis, MN — April 29, 2008 — Transition Networks Inc., the conversion
technology and switching expert, a wholly owned subsidiary of Communications Systems,
Inc. (AMEX: JCS), today announced the introduction of its new, enhanced 10/100/1000
Ethernet converter series. These converters provide a flexible and cost-effective method
for integrating legacy 10/100 UTP devices into a gigabit Ethernet fiber network. In
addition, the enhanced feature set provides more functionality and more network
management capabilities to network administrators.
“As the proliferation of gigabit Ethernet continues, Transition is pleased to enhance and
expand our gigabit Ethernet converter portfolio in an ongoing effort to provide customers
with cost-effective methods for upgrading their networks”, says Patrick Schaber, director
of marketing at Transition Networks, “As always, Transition is committed to delivering
feature-rich products offering our customers the utmost in flexibility by tailoring product
options to their specific network needs.”
New Product Features and configurations
The new GFEB-120 series of 10/100/1000Base-T to 1000Base-X Ethernet copper-to-fiber
media converters replaces Transition’s GFEB-100 series of media converters. With the
new product line, customers benefit from new features like Bandwidth allocation, Virtual
Cable Test on UTP port, IEEE 802.1q VLAN tagging and double tagging (Q in Q), IEEE
802.1P QoS, IPv4 Tos/DiffServ, IPv6 traffic class, Port-based VLAN to allow unidirectional
transmission, RMON counters for each port, Digital Diagnostic Monitoring interface (DMI)
and the ability to remotely update firmware.
These new converters are fully compatible with the previous models and also include
those features found on the GFEB-100 series including AutoCrossTM, Auto-Negotiation
(both UTP and fiber ports), Link Pass Through, Pause, Automatic Link Restoration and
switch-selectable speeds.
In addition to the enhancement discussed above, four additional models with industryunique port configurations will provide customers the greatest in flexibility and
functionality:
1. The new GFEB-140 series offers a 10/100/1000Base-T UTP port and (2)
1000Base-X SFP ports which can be set to operate independently or in a
redundancy mode providing redundant fiber path protection with a switching time
of <50ms.
2. The new GFEB-180 series replaces the UTP port on the -140 series with a dualspeed SFP port thereby providing (1) 100/1000Base-X SFP port and (2)
1000Base-X SFP ports which can be set to operate independently or in a
redundancy mode providing redundant fiber path protection with a switching time
of <50ms. The dual speed SFP port supports both 100Base-FX and 1000Base-X
speeds as well as both fiber and/or UTP SFPs.
3. The new GFEB-150 series is a fiber-to-fiber converter with a fixed, 100Base-FX
port and a fixed, 1000Base-X port, providing the ability to bridge a 100Mb optical
signal onto a gigabit Ethernet fiber backbone.
4. The new GFEB-170 series is a fiber-to-fiber converter with a fixed, 100Base-FX
port and a 1000Base-X SFP port, providing the ability to bridge a 100Mb optical
signal onto a gigabit Ethernet fiber backbone.
Product Availability and Configuration
Transition’s new GFEB-1x0 series 10/100/1000 Ethernet media converters are available
immediately and are offered in both stand alone and Point System chassis card formats in
the following configurations:
Product
Description
CGFEB10xx-120
SGFEB10xx-120
CGFEB1040-140
SGFEB1040-140
CGFEB4040-180
SGFEB4040-180
CGFEB1xxx-150
SGFEB1xxx-150
CGFEB1x40-170
SGFEB1x40-170
Chassis card, 10/100/1000BASE-T UTP to 1000BASE-X fixed fiber
Stand alone, 10/100/1000BASE-T UTP to 1000BASE-X fixed fiber
Chassis card, 10/100/1000BASE-T UTP to (2) 1000BASE-X SFP
Stand alone, 10/100/1000BASE-T UTP to (2) 1000BASE-X SFP
Chassis card, (1) 100/1000BASE-X SFP to (2) 1000BASE-X SFP
Stand alone, (1) 100/1000BASE-X SFP to (2) 1000BASE-X SFP
Chassis card, 100BASE-FX fixed to 1000BASE-X fixed
Stand alone, 100BASE-FX fixed to 1000BASE-X fixed
Chassis card, 100BASE-FX fixed to 1000BASE-X SFP
Stand alone, 100BASE-FX fixed to 1000BASE-X SFP
Please contact Transition Networks at (800) 526-9267or visit www.transition.com for the
latest information.
About Transition Networks Products
Transition Networks’ conversion products are known for their ruggedness and reliability.
They have a 99.4 percent customer acceptance rating, meaning that approximately one in
1,000 experience failure in the field. All Transition Networks brand of media converters
and switches carry a lifetime warranty.
About Transition Networks Inc.
Transition Networks Inc. offers networking connectivity solutions that make networks
perform better, faster and more reliably while helping companies leverage their existing
networking infrastructure. The company’s Transition Networks brand of media converters
make conversion between disparate media types possible, providing conversion
technology solutions that offer the necessary adaptations without affecting the
performance, nature or appearance of the network. Its complete MILAN portfolio of
multilayer switching products is designed to facilitate low-cost network evolution with
unique solutions, easing the stress on networks caused by high-bandwidth applications.
Based in Minneapolis, Transition Networks distributes hardware-based connectivity
solutions exclusively through a network of resellers in 50 countries, including Ingram Micro
and Tech Data. Transition Networks is a wholly owned subsidiary of Communications
Systems, Inc., a publicly traded company (AMEX: JCS).
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Statements regarding the Company's anticipated performance in 2008 are forward-looking and
involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: competitive products and other factors
discussed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.